"Give a second life to the BRDM-2": Romania proposes to re-equip Soviet armored vehicles with the Javelin ATGM
30 years after the collapse of the Soviet bloc, military equipment of that time is still serving in the armies of the former allies of the USSR.
Old platforms - for new weapons
Armored and mobile vehicles with a 4 × 4 wheel arrangement are the backbone of any self-respecting army, it is easier and cheaper to use than other armored vehicles
- expressed an opinion on the pages of Romania Military.
According to the author, it is necessary to use the existing platforms, carrying out their modernization, and not wait until the turn comes to purchase new cars in the required class. Therefore, he suggests using the TABC-79 4x4 chassis: this armored amphibian was created in Romania on the basis of the TAB-77 8x8 armored personnel carrier, which is the local version of the BTR-70.
Now the Ministry of Defense is slowly repairing TABC-79. The author proposes not to replace the engine, transmission and to strengthen the equipment with additional protection. In his words, it is necessary to carry out a major overhaul with the installation of new weapons systems that can be removed and installed on a new platform when it appears.
The author believes that on the TABC-79 it is necessary to install a remotely controlled combat module, armed, in addition to grenade launchers, a 12,7 / 14,5-mm machine gun or 20/30-mm cannons and an ATGM of the Javelin / Spike type or an FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missile launcher / Mistral.
The turret is ideal for the TABC-79, since in addition to the main task of self-defense, it will be able to hit armored targets or provide cover from air attacks
- the author believes.
One hundred BRDM-2 is waiting for modernization
As he explains, in Romania, in addition to the TABC-79 fleet, there are still more than 100 BRDM-2 in the modification of anti-tank vehicles, which "can be given a second life":
Why not upgrade them and equip them with modern equipment and anti-tank missiles (Spike LR / NLOS, Brimstone, Javelin / Hellfire) instead of 9P122 Malyutka-M, 9P133 Malyutka-P and 9P148 Konkurs? It is still an excellent platform in terms of mobility and protection. As with TABC-79, most of the units could be disassembled and then moved [weapons systems] for new equipment 4 × 4.
According to the author, "while we are waiting for a new 4x4 car in the +10 ton category, Ukrainians are already selling Kozak V5 4x4 armored vehicles based on the Ford F550 chassis for export to Saudi Arabia." The Kozak weighs 12 tons, it can carry 10 soldiers in a cabin protected by the STANAG 2 level 4569, the power plant is represented by a 6-liter Iveco Tector 279CP engine, but "it's a pity that this is not an amphibious vehicle."
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