BMP-2

BMP-2

Object 906

Object 685

BMP-2

Object 906

Object 685

USSR

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
8.7	8.7	8.7

Class:

Light tank

Research:135 000

Purchase:380 000

This page is about the Soviet light tank BMP-2. For the version equipped with a 73 mm cannon, see BMP-1.

Description

The BMP-2 is a Rank VI Soviet light tank with a battle rating of 8.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.81 "The Valkyries".

General info

Survivability and armour

Similarly to its predecessor, the BMP-2 relies on its low profile, decent mobility and spaced out modules as defensive features. The vehicle's internal modules often absorb shots unexpectedly, saving the crew and allowing the BMP to return fire or escape significant harm.

The BMP-2 has optional add-on armour which improves its resistance to heavy machine gun and some light cannon fire from the sides, at the cost of losing its amphibious ability.

Mobility

The BMP-2's mobility is reasonable, albeit not excellent, at a maximum of 72/65 km/h (AB\RB) on-road, however the vehicle's acceleration and off-road performance leave something to be desired.

The BMP can swim at 7km/h.

Armaments

Main armament

The Shipunov 2A42 30 mm Autocannon is a very effective weapon not only for tanks but for planes and helicopters too.

Its reload rate for the belts is quite fast at 1.15 seconds and it gets a choice of HE, APT, and APDS.

The APDS belts have enough penetration to obliterate lighter tanks such as Leopard A1A1s, AMX-30B2 BRENUS and Warrior frontally, however, when engaging other larger targets it's only possible to completely defeat them from the side, though you can still cripple enemy tanks frontally by shooting cannon barrels and tracks.

When necessary, 2A42 also serves as a very effective Anti-Aircraft gun, as its 30mm shells shred apart helicopters and planes alike and with vertical guidance of +74 degrees, this is a very versatile weapon system.

The main concern with this powerful main weapon is the ammo capacity. Gun has two firing modes - relatively slow (~200/minute) and extremely fast (~550/minute), while your ammo capacity is 500. To not run out of ammo during battle, one should use full auto mode only when facing certain doom, or sitting in ambush position against unknown enemy.

The 30mm performs badly against angled armour. Because of that, normally easy targets as Striker may deflect fire from your main gun when heavily angled. When facing something the main gun cannot deal with, you'll need to use the secondary weapon:

Additional armament

BMP-2 also has ATGM launcher. It's guidance system is semi-automatic, so it's easier to use in RB, and you don't have to research it.

The ATGM is able to penetrate most tanks BMP-2 can meet at its BR and often above when aimed well. The 9M113 is also fairly useable at range, although it generally won't reach sniping helicopters. The BMP only has 4 ATGMs, so it's a good idea to be stringent with them.

4 x 9M113 ATGM

• Guidance type: SACLOS
• Firing range: 3 km

Ammunition

Main gun belts:

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration in mm @ 0° / 60°
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
Default	HEF-I, AP-T	64/ 19	61/ 18	49 / 14	37/ 11	28 / 8	22/ 6
30mm HE	HEF-I, AP-T, HEF-T	64/ 19	61/ 18	49 / 14	37/ 11	28 / 8	22/ 6
30mm APT	AP-T, HEF-T	64/ 19	61/ 18	49 / 14	37/ 11	28 / 8	22/ 6
30mm APDS	HVAP, HEF-T	100 / 40	95 / 38	80 / 32	72 / 29	62 / 25	50 / 22

ATGM:

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration in mm @ 90°
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
9M113	AGTM	600	600	600	600	600	600

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Maximum Velocity in m/s	Projectile Mass in kg	Range (m)	Fuse delay in m:	Fuse sensitivity in mm:	Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):	Normalization At 30° from horizontal:	Ricochet:
									0%	50%	100%
9M113	AGTM	205	14.5	3.000	0.0	0.1	2.750	+0°	80°	82°	90°

Machine guns

7.62 mm PKT is only used by BMP-2, when it wants to destroy some small fence in it's way, since it makes less noise. Alternatively, it can be used to mark or annoy enemy in Realistic battle. Using it for anything else is pointless, since the main gun does everything better.

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Has more than enough tools to destroy other light vehicles
• Can get away with risky jump attacks on almost any opponent
• Like BMP-1, can seemingly appear out of nowhere by crossing rivers and other aquatic barriers
• Can be used as a SPAA

Cons:

• Main gun and ATGM have slightly less penetration than adversaries, which leads to trouble against vehicles on high ground
• It's easy to run out of ammo, if not specifically managing it
• Still has hull break, though some modules can prevent it
• Can be easily destroyed by heavy machine guns at close range, if not carrying additional armour

History

The arrival of the BMP-1 infantry combat vehicle in the Soviet Army greatly increased the firepower and mobility of infantry formations on the battlefield. However, there were also significant shortcomings, mainly in the armament department. The 73 mm Grom gun, which was installed on the BMP-1 wasn't particularly efficient against infantry units, tanks and low flying air targets. In addition to this, the flight of the trajectory became impossible to predict if even a small crosswind was present. To account for these issues, a decision was made to create a new vehicle based on the BMP-1 with the automatic rifled gun. Among the several projects carried out, the vehicle designed by Kurganmashzavod engineers was acknowledged to be superior to the rest. The BMP-2, which was put into service in 1977, had a similar design to the BMP-1 in terms of the layout and general configuration. However, the turret underwent significant changes. It now had space for two crew members – the gunner and the commander, and the automatic 30 mm 2A42 gun became its primary armament. Just like its predecessor, the BMP-2 was fitted with a launcher capable of firing either the Konkurs or Fagot anti-tank guided missiles, which the vehicle could deploy when engaging tank units. The vehicle was regarded as fairly successful, and over the years of its service, the BMP-2 underwent a series of modernizations and modifications directed at improving the vehicle’s defences and increasing its destructive capability. The BMP-2 remains in service till now and is in great demand abroad.

- From Devblog

Media

Skins and camouflages for the BMP-2 from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [Devblog] BMP-2: Experienced Support