The First shipment of the Russian BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle has arrived to Iraq, news reports said last week.
Iraqi sources said that negotiations for this purchase began in 2014, but its implementation was delayed due to various challenges. About three hundred combat vehicles will be delivered to Iraq in the period 2018 and 2022.
The Iraqi army previously mentioned that the personnel were trained on operating the BMP-3 in Russia.
The BMP-3 is one of the most heavily armed infantry combat vehicles in service. It is developed by the by Kurganmashzavod and the turret is provided by KBP Instrument Design Bureau.
The BMP-3 is armed with a rotating turret module with two-axis stabilization to provide enhanced combat capabilities.
The turret is mounted with a 100mm 2A70 semi-automatic gun, which has a rate of fire of ten rounds per minute and a range of 4,000m. Also mounted on the turret is a 30mm 2A72 automatic gun, which has a rate of fire of 300 rounds per minute and a range of 4,000m.
The BMP-3 is fitted with computerized fire control system with ballistic computer.
The hull and the turret of the BMP-3 is welded aluminum, which provides a protection against firing of small arms caliber and shell splinters of the battle field. The hull floor of the BMP-3 consists of two layers with a space between them and, over the frontal arc of the turret; spaced armor is fitted as standard.
Iraq will use The BMP-3 vehicle along with the T-90 tanks.
There has been an agreement between Russia and Iraq over sending Russian Т-90С / СК tanks to the Iraqi army in 2017.
Uralvagonzavod, the manufacturer of T-90 tanks said Iraq will receive 73 tanks, in accordance with the contract. About three hundred combat vehicles will be delivered to Iraq in the period 2018 and 2022.
Previously, news reports said Iraqi Army received fighter jets and other items from Russia.
Russia had previously pledged to maintain military assistance to Iraq in its war against Islamic State. In 2016, it opened a military command center in Baghdad and provided Iraq with tons of anti-chemical weapons kits in 2015.
