Algeria has once again reinforced its its position as one of Africa’s viable defence industry by upgrading 360 BMP-2 Soviet-made tracked armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle to standard BMP-2M fitted with Berezhok turret and armed with four Kornet anti-tank guided missiles.
The BMP-2M is a modernized version of the Soviet-made BMP-2 fitted with a new weapon station called Berezhok.
Berezhok turret keeps the same 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon and 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun as the original version of the BMP-2, but two missile launchers are mounted on each side of the turret, able to launch the 9M133 Kornet missile which is anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) intended for use against main battle tanks.
The second armament also includes one 30mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher mounted at the rear of the roof turret.
The Berezhok turret is fitted with a new fire-control system and optics. The vehicle is equipped with a multi-channel optical system for the stabilization of view during firing.
The vehicle has an advanced target detection system, a laser range-finder, and a thermal imaging system to improve the accuracy of target detection and mission efficiency.
An armament stabilizer and ballistic computer, as well as a BPK-3-42 gunner’s sight, are fitted to the vehicle to enable the firing of the main armament. The vehicle is also installed with a PL-1 laser illuminator.
The roof of the turret is also fitted with a new panoramic sight for the commander providing a 360° view on the battlefield for observation and recognition of targets at any time of the day and night.
The layout of the vehicle is similar to the previous version with the driver sits at the front of the vehicle on the left side with engine and transmission on his right, and a two-man turret mounted at the rear of the hull. The vehicle has a crew of three and can accommodate seven infantrymen.
This is not the first time Algeria will display its vastly upgraded combat vehicles. In 2018, the Algerian National Defence Ministry upgraded the venerable BTR-80 armoured personnel carriers with the ability to launch 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles.
Algeria effectively kick started its defense industry in 2019 to design, build and manufacture “complex weapons” systems.
Presidential decree authorizes the Algerian military to create “a Technical System Development Establishment” responsible “for the studies, the design, engineering, and manufacturing of weapons and specific ammunition.”
The decree authorizes the Algerian military to create “a Technical System Development Establishment” responsible “for the studies, the design, engineering, and manufacturing of weapons and specific ammunition.”
That same year, the country announced plans to manufacture the 8×8 Boxer IFV designed by Rheinmettal Defence.
Additionally, in 2014, Rheinmetall Defense and Algeria entered a $2.7 billion deal to build the Fuchs-2 APC in Algeria.