BVP (Bojove Vozidlo Pechoty)

Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Czechia / Czech Republic | 1967

"The BVP Infantry Fighting Vehicle series is the localized Czech-centric version of the classic Soviet BMP."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/16/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image from the Czechia Ministry of Defense; Public Release.

The BVP series from Czechia / Czech Republic is a localized, upgraded, and modified form of the classic Soviet-era BMP-1/BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) detailed elsewhere on this site. The type retains the same battlefield form and function but, in its more recent models (BVP-2), introduces an all-new track and suspension design to better conform to modern standards and enhance cross-country capabilities. Firing-on-the-move has also been added with primary armament centered in a traversing turret over the hull mounting a 30mm automatic cannon with co-axial 7.62mm PKT series anti-infantry machine gun. The vehicle is air-transportable and amphibious - making it a tactically flexible solution.

The running gear includes six rubber-tired roadwheels to a hull side with the drive sprocket at front and the track idler at rear. Three track-return rollers are used along the upper reaches of the track link units. The vehicle retains the same shallow glacis plate that the original benefitted from and mounts the powerpack to the front-right, seating the driver at front-left. The two-man turret holds a vehicle commander and gunner and passengers can be carried at the rear of the hull with access granted through a pair of hinged, outward-opening doors at the rear hull face.

Beyond standard armament, the roof also supports a 14.5mm Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) for defense against low-flying threats and light-armored vehicles. Grenade dischargers provide a self-screening capability for the vehicle.

The former Czechoslovakia operated the BVP through several variants and sub-variants including the original BVP-1. The BVP-1K was a command vehicle and the BPzV "Svatava" optimized for the reconnaissance role. The Vz.85 ShM-120 PRAM-S was a 120mm-armed mortar carrier and the BVP-1 AMB-S an armored battlefield ambulance. The VPV form was an Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) conversion and the SVO a mine-clearing vehicle. The OT-90 carried the OT-64A tank's primary turret as well as machine guns but lost its amphibious qualities.

The modern Czech Republic has utilized the BVP-1MA, a modernized version of the original BVP-1 though with a German-produced one-man traversing turret mounting additional smoke grenade launchers. It was upgraded through the "Tania" variant by Caliber and modernized through the OT-90 M1, M2, and M3 sub-variant designations.

The BVP-1SM is a converted armored battlefield ambulance and the BVP-1PPK / PzPK "Snezka" an artillery reconnaissance platform. The OT R-5 "Becva" is a communications vehicle and the BVP-1 LOS a dedicated tracked reconnaissance version. The one-off MGC-1 was a proposed vehicle showcasing an enhanced survivability package, armed by way of machine guns, and carried Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks.

The BVP continues in service with the modern Czech Army in 2022. Up to 145 BVP-1 marks are held in storage / reserve and 185 BVP-2 versions serve as primary, front-line solutions.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the BVP-1 Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

1 x UTD-20/3 diesel-fueled engine developing 300 horsepower to conventional track-and-wheel arrangement.
Installed Power

40 mph
65 kph
Road Speed

373 miles
600 km
Range

Structure
The physical qualities of the BVP-1 Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

3
(MANNED)
Crew

22.1 ft
6.74 meters
O/A Length

10.3 ft
3.15 meters
O/A Width

8.0 ft
2.45 meters
O/A Height

33,069 lb
15,000 kg | 16.5 tons
Weight

Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the BVP (Bojove Vozidlo Pechoty) Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

1 x 30mm automatic cannon in front turret face.
1 x 7.62mm PKT anti-infantry machine gun in co-axial mounting at front turret face.
8 x Smoke grenade dischargers.

OPTIONAL:
1 x 14.5mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) on turret roof.
1 x 30mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) on turret roof.

AMMUNITION:
40 x 30mm projectiles (estimated).
1,000 x 7.62mm ammunition (estimated).
8 x Smoke grenades.
500 x 14.5mm ammunition (estimated, if equipped).
150 x 30mm grenades (estimated, if equipped).

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
Nightvision - OPTIONAL.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Protection (CBRN) - OPTIONAL.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the BVP (Bojove Vozidlo Pechoty) family line.

BVP - Base Series Designation.

BVP-1 - Czech variant based in the Soviet BMP-1.

BVP-2 - Czech variant based in the Soviet BMP-2.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the BVP (Bojove Vozidlo Pechoty). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.

Total Production: 330 Units
Contractor(s): State Factories - Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic / Czechia

[ Czechoslovakia; Czech Republic (Czechia) ]

1 / 1

Image of the BVP (Bojove Vozidlo Pechoty)

Image from the Czechia Ministry of Defense; Public Release.

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to battlefield requirements.

AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT

INFANTRY SUPPORT

RECONNAISSANCE

TRACK-AND-WHEEL DRIVE

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Similar
Developments of similar form-and-function, or related, to the BVP (Bojove Vozidlo Pechoty) Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

BMP-1

BMP-2

Going Further...
The BVP (Bojove Vozidlo Pechoty) Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) appears in the following collections:

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