Former Soviet Union
BMD-1 ACV Compared to the other Eastern Bloc IFV/APCs the BMD-1 ACV has been produced in relatively small numbers for the former Soviet Army Air Assault Divisions. First seen in 1973, the BMD-1 is a very lightly armoured vehicle with only a limited combat capacity but capable of supporting airborne troops during the early phases of airborne operations. For this role the main emphasis is on direct fire support so the BMD-1 is fitted with the same gun as that used on the BMP-1 IFV (qy) in an essentially similar turret; the 9K11 ATGW launching rail is also provided but has been removed from later models. One feature of the BMD-1 is its variable height
hydro-pneumatic suspension system, most likely for allowing the vehicle to be para-dropped on platforms. The road wheels are also small while the tracks are only 230 mm wide. The hull is bulky to render the vehicle amphibious but the hull space behind the turret is sufficient for only three personnel. Two more are seated each side of the driver while the turret houses only the gunner. The 73 mm gun has a coaxial 7,62 mm MG while two more 7,62 mm MGs are fixed for firing from the front hull; a 30 mm grenade launcher on a ground mounting is also carried as standard, On the BDM-2 the 73 mm gun is replaced by a 30 mm cannon; from 1990 BMD-1 ACV
onwards a new BDM-3 has appeared but is a new design overall. A lengthened turretlessAPC version of the BDM-1 (an extra road wheel is added each side) is known as the BTR-D - it can carry 13 troops plus the driver. On the SO-120, also based on the BDM-1 chassis, the turret is replaced by a breech-loaded 120 mm mortar, with no provision to carry extra troops. Other BDM-1 variants include various artillery observation vehicles, an ARV and a mortar carrier. BDM-1 s have been exported to Iraq and India (the latter is not confirmed).
