Russia Signs Contract with Indonesia to Supply BMP-3F Infantry Fighting Vehicles

Russian arms exporter, Rosoboronexport and the Indonesian Ministry of Defence have signed a contract to supply BMP-3F infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) and amphibious armoured personnel carriers (APCs) BT-3F to the Indonesia’s Marine Corps.

The value of the contract and number of IFVs and APCs to be delivered was not specified by Rosoboronexport which announced the contract in a press release. Sources told Defenseworld.net that the contract could run into 10s of million dollars and includes counter-trade.

 “The contract on the supplies of BT-3Fs to Indonesia has become the first Russia’s export deal for these new vehicles. The design reflected the requests of the partners as well as their experience of using BMP-3Fs, which were delivered to them earlier. Indonesia is very scrupulous about the selection of materiel for its armed forces, and this contract is a serious marker of the highest quality of the Russian weapons and their superiority over competitors,” said Rosoboronexport’s Director General Alexander Mikheev.

Amphibious armoured personnel carrier BT-3F was developed on the basis of  BMP-3F and designed for the transportation of units of the marines, coastal guard and land forces, as well as for the fire support of landed parties in all types of combat operations.

The APC is capable of transporting 17 people, including crew members. The control compartment hosts the driver, a member of the landing party and commander’s assistant – at the left and right sides accordingly, both being capable of firing machine guns.

The APC is equipped with energy-absorbing folding chairs, providing a significant reduction in shock loads on the spine when exploded on a mine and when driving on rough terrain. In addition, the vehicles are equipped with an aggregate compressor air conditioning, which is vital for the conditions of a hot tropical climate.

The roof of the BT-3F accommodates a two-plane stabilized remote-controlled combat module with a 12.7 mm machine gun. For the purposes of monitoring the terrain and aiming, the combat module is equipped with a tele-thermal imaging sight with a laser rangefinder. The module is equipped with a built-in diagnostic system and ammunition counter with an indication of the “ran out of ammunition”.

A high level of unification in the case of the BT-3F armoured personnel carriers and BMP-3/BMP-3F reduces expenses and personnel training costs, simplifies the provision of spare parts and consumables, as well as their joint combat use. Indonesia is one of Russia’s key partners in South-East Asia.

Since November 1992, the total volume of military products, supplied to Indonesia, has made up over 2.5 bln. US dollars which includes received BTR-80A armoured personnel carriers, BMP-3F infantry fighting vehicles, Kalashnikov assault rifles, Su type planes and Mi type helicopters.