Statistics show that Russia has lost more than 10% of BMD-4M Airborne armoured infantry fighting vehicleon on the Ukrainian battlefield, such damage is quite heavy.
Airborne armoured infantry fighting vehicle BMD-4M is the main line of assault armor of Russian paratroopers today, it has been used on a large scale on the Ukrainian battlefield since the beginning of the conflict.
Besides this, at least 12 Russian BMD-4M airborne Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) fell into the hands of Ukrainian Soldiers since the Kremlin’s invasion began.
According to the ArmyInform portal, More than 40 BMD-4M vehicles have been lost in Russia while only 350 produced by 2022. So why did Russia one of the latest Combat vehicles face such heavy losses?
In general, the Russians tried to turn their BMP-3 into airborne armored infantry fighting vehicle, and without much improvement.
The BMD-4M is the latest generation of Russian-made airborne armoured infantry fighting vehicle that can be para-dropped to provide firepower and support for airborne troops. It is an upgraded variant of the BMD-4 (BMD-3M).
The BMD-4M is fitted with a two-man turret armed with a 2A70 100mm caliber gun, coupled to a 30mm 2A72 cannon and a 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun mounted to the right of the main armament. The 100mm gun uses an automatic loader with 34 rounds of 100mm ready to fire and 18 in reserve. The main gun can fire conventional types of ammunitions and also the 100mm laser-guided ammunition Arkan Tandem 9M117M1 which can be used against modern main battle tanks at a maximum range of 5,500m and against sheltered and exposed personnel and fortifications at a maximum range of 7,000m.
BMD-4M is equipped with computerised fire control system, night vision, NBC protection system,fire detection and suppression system, heating system. The vehicle can carry 6 soldiers.
The chassis and the turret of the BMD-4M are of all-welded aluminum which provide a protection for crew and infantrymen against firing of ammunitions up to 30 mm in caliber on the front and against small arms fire of 7.62mm caliber for the sides.
Because a BMD-4M with a combat weight of 14 tonnes can only be carried on the Il-76 heavy transport no other aircraft in Russian army can carry this vehicle.
The BMD-4Ms cover is too weak and didn’t provide enough protection on the battlefield, it is now dubbed as a “paper armoured vehicle.” As a result of the BMD-4m failings and flaws on the battlefield, commentators have asked if there is space in modern warfare for combat vehicles with characteristics akin to light tanks.
If the answer is yes, what kind of protective armor is needed? The BMD-4M is armed with a 100 mm cannon with 34 rounds and 4 guided missiles, which is clearly a light tank-level weapon. But the BMD-4M’s troop compartment only accommodates six people, which suggests that the machine was unlikely to have been used as an amphibious vehicle.
With the above characteristics, BMD-4M is said to be an light armored vehicle, perhaps Russia will have to think more about its future after the Ukraine conflict ends.