Makran IFV

Last updated
Makran IFV
khwdrwy zrhy aby khkhy mkhrn.jpg
A Makran IFV
Type Infantry fighting vehicle
Place of originIran
Service history
In service2020–present
Used byIran
Production history
Manufacturer Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization
Produced2020–present
Specifications
Length7.12 meters
Width3.17 meters
Height2.39 meters
Crew3
Passengers9–12
Main
armament
 30mm Shipunov 2A42 auto-cannon
Secondary
armament
 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
Enginediesel
Suspensiontorsion bar
Maximum speed Estimated between 44 and 80 km/h (Land)
11km/h (Water)

The Makran IFV, an Iranian armoured personnel carrier (APC), is the highly modernized and upsized copy of the BTR-50 APC. The vehicle is produced and designed by the Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization. It was unveiled in June 2020 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. [1] The vehicle is named after the Makran coastal region, a region that stretches between Iran and Pakistan. While the Makran is technically an infantry fighting vehicle, it has a large troop compartment as it is based on the BTR-50, allowing it to dual function as an armoured personnel carrier.

Contents

History

Origins

During the period of the Shah, Iran purchased and received around 300 BTR-50's, and during the Iran–Iraq War hundreds were captured. While only 150-270 are estimated to be in service, hundreds are currently in storage, and a couple were given to the Popular Mobilization Forces. [2] The IRGC realized after the Iran–Iraq War, that the BTR-50s and BTR-60s it had needed more armour and firepower, leading to the development of the Makran, Heidar-6, and Heidar-7.[ citation needed ] The Sedad, a BTR-60PB with an unmanned ZU-23-2 was developed as a temporary solution. [3]

Development

A tour of an IRGC run upgrade facility by Tasnim News Agency appears to show some of the captured BTR-50s and MT-LBs currently in storage, with Raad unmanned turrets being produced in the factory. [4] Videos posted on YouTube in 2021 appear to show an unpainted prototype moving through water. [5] [6] Another prototype or in-completed Makran was seen in the same Tasnim News Agency video tour, which only had the unmanned turret and side armor upgrades; it was painted in grey and tan, with some unpainted parts. [4]

In June 2020, the vehicle was displayed for the first time, alongside an upgraded T-72M dubbed "Rakhsh" and a heavily upgraded BTR-60 dubbed "Heidar-7". [7] [8] [9]

Design

another picture Makran IFV.PNG
another picture

Design and upgrades

The Makran has been so heavily upgraded that one may not be able to notice the BTR-50 hull.[ original research? ] The IFV has upgraded hull modifications: a newly welded frontal armor plate, thicker side armor, and thicker floor plating. [2] [8] It also has a new unmanned turret called "Raad-2", [10] armed with a Shipunov 2A42 30mm automatic cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The "Raad" unmanned turret contains a brand new fire-control system, a thermal-imaging sensor, night-vision cameras, a laser range finder, 3-6 smoke canister launchers, and is controlled via a display panel in the hull. [1] [2] [10] [8] The laser range finder has a range of 10,000 meters, and the thermal-imaging sensor has a range of 4,000 meters. [11] The vehicle stores 500 rounds of 30mm ammunition for the Shipunov 2A42 auto-cannon, and 2000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition for the coaxial machine gun. [2] The vehicle's driver also has a new cupola and periscope, to fit with the newly molded frontal armor. [2]

Missile capabilities

Images[ vague ] show two anti-tank guided missiles on display next to the Makran, which may imply that the Makran can carry anti-tank guided missiles.[ original research? ] Some Iranian sources have also reported that the vehicles can fire "missiles". [10] [9] Reports from GlobalSecurity and various Russian news agencies say it is possible to install ATGMs onto the vehicle, and is an option for purchasers. [2] The ATGMs may be the Almaz anti-tank guided missile, which is believed by an anonymous "military technology analyst" on Twitter to have been developed from an Israeli Spike ATGM left behind in the 2006 Lebanon War. [12] Iranian sources report that the ATGMs displayed may be the Toophan instead, another Iranian SACLOS anti-tank guided missile. [13] However, closer up photos clearly show a Sadid-1 anti-tank guided missile launcher identical to those on Iranian helicopters.[ original research? ]

Misconceptions

Some have claimed, be that incorrectly, that the Makran's turret is that of a BMP-2. [9] However the two differentiate in size, looks, capability, structure, and adaptability. The reasoning behind an unmanned turret is to increase crew survivability and adaptability, not to increase ammunition storage.[ citation needed ]

Operators

Current operators

See also

Vehicles of comparable role, performance and era

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMP-3</span> Infantry fighting vehicle

The BMP-3 is a Soviet and Russian infantry fighting vehicle, successor to the BMP-1 and BMP-2. The abbreviation BMP stands for Boevaya Mashina Pekhoty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMP-1</span> Soviet infantry fighting vehicle

The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle that has been in service from 1966 to the present. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pyekhoty 1, meaning "infantry fighting vehicle, 1st serial model". The BMP-1 was the first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) of the Soviet Union. It was called the M-1967, BMP and BMP-76PB by NATO before its correct designation was known.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMP-2</span> Soviet infantry fighting vehicle

The BMP-2 is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle introduced in the 1980s in the Soviet Union, following on from the BMP-1 of the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMD-1</span> Soviet airborne infantry fighting vehicle

The BMD-1 is a Soviet airborne amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which was introduced in 1969 and first seen by the West in 1970. BMD stands for Boyevaya Mashina Desanta. It can be dropped by parachute and although it resembles the BMP-1 it is in fact much smaller. The BMD-1 was used as an IFV by the Soviet Airborne Forces (VDV). An improved variant of the BMD-1 was developed, the BMD-2. The BMD-1 also provided a basis for the BTR-D airborne multi-purpose tracked APC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMD-2</span> Airborne infantry fighting vehicle

The BMD-2 is a Soviet airborne infantry fighting vehicle, introduced in 1985. It is a variant of BMD-1 with a new turret and changes to the hull. BMD stands for Boyevaya Mashina Desanta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BTR-70</span> Armoured personnel carrier

The BTR-70 is an eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier originally developed by the Soviet Union during the late 1960s under the manufacturing code GAZ-4905. On August 21, 1972, it was accepted into Soviet service and would later be widely exported. Large quantities were also produced under license in Romania as the TAB-77.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BTR-90</span> Russian armored personnel carrier

BTR-90 (GAZ-5923) is an 8×8 wheeled armored personnel carrier developed in Russia, designed in 1993 and first shown publicly in 1994. It is a larger version of the BTR-80 vehicle, fitted with a BMP-2 turret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMD-3</span> Russian light infantry fighting vehicle

The BMD-3 is a light infantry fighting vehicle originating in the Soviet Union that is fully amphibious and air-droppable with crew inside. It is intended to be used by airborne and air assault units. It is not an upgraded BMD-1 but a completely redesigned vehicle with a hydropneumatic suspension, new hull, a more powerful 2V-06-2 diesel engine and fitted with the complete turret of the BMP-2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMPT Terminator</span> Russian armored fighting vehicle

The BMPT "Terminator" is an armored fighting vehicle (AFV), designed and manufactured by the Russian company Uralvagonzavod. This vehicle was designed for supporting tanks and other AFVs in urban areas. The BMPT is unofficially named the "Terminator" by the manufacturers. It is heavily armed and armored to survive in urban combat. The AFV is armed with four 9M120 Ataka missile launchers, two 30 mm 2A42 autocannons, two AG-17D grenade launchers, and one coaxial 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BTR-T</span> Russian heavy armored personnel carrier

The BTR-T was a Russian heavy APC, designed by the Design Bureau of Transport Machine-Building (Omsktransmash) state-run production association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shipunov 2A42</span> 1980 Soviet 30 mm autocannon

The Shipunov 2A42 is a Soviet/Russian 30 mm autocannon. It is built by the Tulamashzavod Joint Stock Company and named after A. G. Shipunov.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ZBD-04</span> Chinese infantry fighting vehicle

The ZBD-04 or Type 04 is a Chinese infantry fighting vehicle. It bears some external resemblance to the BMP-3, particularly with regards to its turret and main armament; However, the chassis and internal subsystem possesses a different layout. The earliest prototypes received the designation ZBD-97. An improved version, ZBD-04A, is the vehicle currently in service and being produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2A28 Grom</span> Main armament of the BMP-1 and BMD-1 infantry fighting vehicles

The 2A28 Grom is the main armament of the Soviet-designed BMP-1 and BMD-1 infantry fighting vehicles. It is a 73 mm low pressure smoothbore semi-automatic gun with a wedge breech block. Development of the 2A28 Grom was directly linked to that of the SPG-9 recoilless gun; both fired projectiles similar to rocket-propelled grenades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMP development</span> Infantry fighting vehicle series

The BMP series were among the first production line infantry fighting vehicles. Included in the series are the mainline BMPs, the airborne variant BMDs, and licensed modified and reverse engineered versions. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty, meaning "infantry fighting vehicle". They were initially developed in the 1960s in the Soviet Union.

The 2A42 Cobra is an overhead-mount modular one-man gun turret designed by the ZTS Dubnica nad Váhom design bureau. It is specially designed to fit many different types of tracked and wheeled IFVs and APCs such as the BMP-1, BMD-1, BTR-70, BTR-80 and the OT-64 SKOT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otokar Tulpar</span> Turkish infantry fighting vehicle

Tulpar is a Turkish heavy infantry fighting vehicle designed by the Sakarya-based automotive manufacturer Otokar. It is named after the Tulpar, a winged horse in Turkic mythology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMD-4</span> Russian infantry fighting vehicle

The BMD-4 is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) originating from post-Cold War Russia. Originally designated as the BMD-3M, the chassis of the BMD-4 is the same as that of the BMD-3 because it was developed on the same basis. This armored fighting vehicle is one of the lightest in its class, possessing a substantial amount of firepower. The vehicle was designed to transport Russian Airborne Troops (VDV), increasing its mobility, armament, and protection on the battlefield.

References

  1. 1 2 "Iran: IRGC unveils new armored personnel carriers and upgraded T-72M main battle tank | Defense News July 2020 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2020 | Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com. July 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Fateh (Conqueror / Victor) "semi-heavy" submarine". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  3. ↑ "Aqareb 8x8". www.militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  4. 1 2 جنگ افزار-۱ | جزئیات اورهال و ارتقای تانک و نفربر در ایران. خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim News Agency. 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2022-01-24– via YouTube.
  5. ↑ Iran Makran Armored personnel carrier ( BMP) ایران نفربر آبی و خاکی مکران. ali javid. 2021-03-07. Archived from the original on 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2022-01-24– via YouTube.
  6. ↑ Iran's Makran IFV reupload. GrandBotBoi. 2021-03-29. Retrieved 2022-01-24– via YouTube.
  7. ↑ Oryx. "The Oryx Handbook of Iranian Fighting Vehicles". Oryx Blog. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  8. 1 2 3 Agency, Tasnim News (2020-06-27). "Iran: IRGC Unveils New Military Gear". Eurasia Review. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  9. 1 2 3 "Iran displays BTR-50 modified with BMP-2 turret". Janes.com. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  10. 1 2 3 "دستاورد جدید سپاه برای مقابله با دشمن را بشناسید + عکس". روزنامه دنیای اقتصاد (in Persian). Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  11. ↑ "FarsNews Agency IRGC Ground Force Unveils Several Defensive Equipment". www.farsnews.ir. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  12. ↑ Patarames [@Pataramesh] (January 9, 2021). "An Israeli ATGM team loosing a Spike missile in the 2006 war with Hezbollah, lead to the Iranian Almaz, Diamond missile Beside the use as ATGM, it offers vulnerable, slow UCAVs a stand-off weapon to engage outside envelope of defensive assets, as well as increasing impact speed https://t.co/Dx6n8vODCS" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-01-24– via Twitter.
  13. ↑ "برجک ساخت سپاه، آچار فرانسه زره پوش‌های نیروهای مسلح می‌شود/ گام به گام با تبدیل BTR-۵۰ روسی به "مکران" ایرانی+عکس". مشرق نیوز (in Persian). 2020-07-18. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.