Russian Airborne Troops (VDV) News:

Airborne reconnaissance to get Iveco LMV Lynxes;

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2534971.html

I guess they will get the Ivecos that are left, eh?

76th Guards Airborne Assault Division received 16 armored vehicles Iveco LMV "Lynx"



http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2546338.html

ULYANOVSK, April 28. /TASS/. The D-10 parachute for the Ratnik ‘soldier of the future’ combat outfit will be modernized by 2018, Airborne Force Commander Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov said on Friday.

More:
http://tass.com/defense/943769

11th Airborne Brigade stationed in Ulan-Ude to receive upgraded BMD-2;

https://rg.ru/2017/05/21/v-vdv-poiavilis-pervye-udarnye-soedineniia.html

Interview with Fizuli Seyfedov, Executive Director of KKU Tractor plants Concern LTD

In the corporate edition of KKU "Tractor Plants" was published an interview "Armor for the" winged infantry "with the executive director of Volgograd Engineering Company VGTZ (former Volgograd Tractor Plant) Fizuli Seyfedov.

Volgograd production site of the Concern "Tractor Plants" includes a special design bureau, as well as subdivisions of the main and auxiliary production. What priorities are currently being addressed by VMK VGTZ, says Fizuli Seyfedov, the company's executive director.

- How can you determine the main purpose of the Volgograd site of the "Tractor Plants"?

- Let's start with the fact that during the 85-year history of the Volgograd Tractor Plant dozens of types and modifications of landing vehicles of various purposes were created here. The Special Design Bureau of VGTZ is the main design bureau in Russia for the development of military equipment for airborne troops. And today the enterprise continues development work in the interests of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. At the industrial site, both production of serial machines and prototypes of products are conducted. And, it should be noted, the tasks are successfully performed.

At the production site today there are just over 1800 people who provide a full cycle of manufacturing special-purpose products. This is welding of housings, manufacturing of components, mechanical, galvanic and thermal processing of parts, assembling and testing of machines, their service and support.

- What are the main products produced today at the enterprise?

- Tracked armored vehicles BMD-4M, accessories for BTR-MDM ("Shell"), spare parts for BMD-2, operated in the Airborne Forces of Russia.

- What about spare parts for BMD-4M serially produced?

- Their release is scheduled for 2017. Moreover, the conclusion of relevant treaties, which will operate on a long-term basis, is planned.

- What was the result of the company's performance in 2016?

- The volume of production of the last year compared to 2015 increased four-fold. Since the state armament program approved by the President of the Russian Federation is designed for the period until 2020, we expect a full load of production for the next few years. In parallel, we are conducting prospective development work in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry, which also plan to receive serious "dividends".

- Probably, it is a question of the modernized self-propelled antitank gun 2S25? The ex-commander of the Airborne Forces, now a deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Shamanov said more than once about the waiting for this "flying tank" in the troops.

- Last year, for state tests, prototypes of the modernized self-propelled anti-tank gun 2S25M "Sprut-SDM1" were manufactured. OCD is being conducted to create a chassis for various purposes - for a prospective self-propelled artillery gun; For a mobile airborne assortment of radio and electronic reconnaissance, for a radio electronic warfare station; For fire control machines for artillery, for air defense control vehicles.

- With what enterprises of the Concern are close cooperation relations established?

- In matters of supply of materials and services, we closely cooperate with the Concern's enterprises. For example, JSC "ChAZ" provides us with forgings, conducts heat treatment of parts with high-frequency currents. Castings and forgings are obtained from the Kurgan production site of "Tractor Plants". The instrument is supplied to us by OOO Remex from Cheboksary.

Our SKB conducts joint work to create new models of military equipment with enterprises of OJSC UKBTM (Nizhny Tagil), OJSC SKBM (Kurgan); OJSC SKB PA (Kovrov), OAO NPP Rubin (Penza), OJSC Peleng (Minsk, Republic of Belarus) and others. So the geography of cooperation is solid.

- Are other types of products produced at the production site of the Volgograd Tractor Plant, except special-purpose machinery?

- Several years ago in Volgograd, indeed, civil engineering was produced, but as a result of reorganization and optimization measures, its production was transferred to other Concern enterprises: spare parts and spare parts for AGROMASH 90TG - in OAO Promtractor, irrigation systems - in ZAO Promtractor -Railway carriage".

- Fizuli Velievich, for what would you praise the staff of VGTZ?

- The company employs a well-coordinated professional team, capable of performing tasks in a high-quality and efficient manner, often without regard to personal time, overtime and on weekends.

Each shop has its own reliable backbone. So, the test driver of the machine assembly shop Konstantin Slinkov, of those who truly loves his work, responsible, conscientious, he is indispensable in solving many problems. And this is in my 28 years. In the same workshop, the mechanic of mechanic assembly works Eugene Bychkov, who specializes in the most complex operation - the laying of an engine. The highest precision in the manufacture of parts is provided by a machine tool and manipulators programmer Yevgeny Neshkov. At the age of 25, already a high-quality specialist turner Nikolai Goncharov, behind him fixed the most responsible nomenclature.

Venus Bedretdinova - the only woman who works as the head of the mechanical section. She organized the work so competently and professionally that her team invariably performs shift-daily assignments on time. On the site Bedretdinova full order in all production areas.

Products of excellent quality are handled by the milling cutter Tatyana Bochkova and the trawler Irina Shishkina, both working in the manufacture of metal products. High professional and industrial discipline is distinguished by young specialists electric welder of manual welding Herman Vasilchenko and fitter of mechanical assembly works Mikhail Shuvaev, they are working on the assembly of BMD-4M cases.

I want to highlight Vladimir Budayev, head of the design bureau of tests, reliability and repair documentation. Under the leadership of this purposeful, competent, initiative specialist, the staff of the bureau solves complex questions on the implementation of ROC under concluded contracts with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, conducts design support for the manufacture of prototypes of products, takes a direct part in preliminary and qualification tests.

- What is the average age of employees in the company? Are there a lot of young people in the team?

- The average age of workers in enterprises is 45 years, young people about a third of the total. Of course, I would like to change this ratio somewhat in favor of young specialists, so that the natural outflow of personnel occurs without prejudice to production, and the accumulated experience of old-timers is transferred into reliable hands. We're working on it now.

- How is the interaction between production workers and military representatives? Is it difficult to achieve mutual understanding?

- By and large, we have nothing to share. The task at us general: qualitatively and in time to deliver technics for the Airborne troops.

- What are the production plans for 2017?

- This year the enterprise will continue to fulfill the state defense order. The planned increase in production is two-fold. I am confident that the plans will be fulfilled.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2643496.html

Airborne Force chief says only Russia capable of air-dropping military hardware

These capabilities will increase further with the development of military transport aviation, the commander said

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Only the Russian Armed Forces are capable of air-dropping their combat hardware from aircraft, Russia’s Airborne Force Commander Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov told TASS on Monday.

"All Airborne Force units of the armies of all major foreign military powers parachute only personnel and cargoes while military hardware is delivered by the landing rather than by the parachuting method. We, however, can air-drop whole airborne battalions and even airborne regiments and also combat hardware. These capabilities will increase further with the development of military transport aviation," the commander said on the eve of 87 years since Russia’s Airborne Force was established.

No other country in the world can feature such capabilities today, the commander said.

"Foreign armies have no parachuting means, which we have, and their hardware is not suitable for air-dropping. They have not dealt with this issue," the commander said.

The Russian Airborne Force will get a new Bakhcha-UPDS multi-cupola parachute system in 2018. The parachute system will make it possible to air-drop BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicles with seven-member crews from military transport planes, the commander said.

The new parachute system will primarily start arriving for parachute infantry units and high-alert formations, he added.

"This year, the state trials of the Bakhcha-UPDS new parachute system designed to air-drop BMD-4M vehicles and other hardware from military transport planes are coming to a close. These trials are proceeding successfully. We are planning to finish this work by the end of the year and somewhere at the beginning of next year this system will become operational and will be primarily arriving in a planned manner for our parachute infantry units and high-alert units," the commander said.

"The BMD-4M is made precisely in its air-droppable version with the accommodation of personnel inside it and in this vehicle we can parachute seven people," the commander said.

For this purpose, the required equipment has been installed inside the BMD-4M and special seats for personnel have been installed, he said.

"Immediately after landing, this fighting vehicle with paratroopers inside can accomplish assigned missions, including combat and special assignments. Its ability to quickly leave the parachuting area after landing considerably increases its survivability," the Airborne Force commander said.

The BMD-4M is equipped with the automated fire control system and a new navigation system. Its advanced electronic equipment facilitates the crew’s aiming while moving at high speeds across rough terrain.

Strategic exercises

This year, the Russian Airborne Troops will take part in two strategic exercises among other war games scheduled for 2017, both international and national, according to Serdyukov.

"As for international military cooperation, the Airborne Troops are much more in the thick of it than any other service or branch of the armed forces. This year we have already had four international war games," Serdyukov said.

He said, Russia and Belarus will team up in September for scheduled exercises code-named West 2017 to work on interaction assignments with other branches of the armed forces on the Western Strategic Direction. Also in September, Airborne Forces’ units will participate in Interaction-2017 strategic exercises of the CSTO rapid reaction forces, in Armenia, he added.

Following that, they will undertake joint anti-terrorism coordination exercises with Egypt, who will contribute about 100 paratroopers. The military drills will be held in September, near Crimea’s Novorossiisk port city. Besides, two joint exercises with the Special Operations Forces of Belarus are scheduled for this year.

"Currently, a delegation of the Airborne Troops led by the commander of the 11th separate air assault brigade, Colonel Ruslan Evdokimov, is in Brazil, hosted by a brigade of the Brazilian armed forces, to share opinions and discuss cooperation," the commander said.

"This program of international military cooperation has continued for years, and it has always scored high marks," he stressed.

Serdyukov also said that before the end of the year, Airborne Troops units will take part in joint-force tactical exercises in the Arctic zone, which will also involve the Northern Fleet and special action units. The exercises will involve interaction in Extreme North conditions.

Serdyukov also mentioned the regimental tactical exercises with landing and combat firing in Russia’s northwestern Pskov region and brigade tactical exercises with landing and combat firing in the Far Eastern Primorsky region. These war games will train coordination on the Western and Eastern strategic directions.

Strike and intelligence units

The commands of the strike and intelligence units of the Russian Airborne Forces will be merged into a single system, the Airborne Force commander Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov told TASS.

"This experience (of the operation in Syria - TASS) is, no doubt, instructive. We are actively using this practice now. This is the establishment of various scout-firing and scout-attack contours within our units. It is about uniting the existing modern intelligence and attack equipment under the rule of one commander, along with effective use of this equipment," Serdyukov said on Monday in the run-up to the 87th anniversary of the Airborne Forces establishment.

"This is being used quite actively in Syria," he added, noting that the Russian defense industry had made scientific and technical headway that "helps detect targets in a real-time mode today, coordinate these targets with a high probability and hit them online with both various aviation equipment and artillery."

The Airborne Forces commander said that Defense Minister, General of the Army Sergey Shoigu, and Chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov, attached major importance to the creation and effective application of these contours. "This should be learnt, and this is, actually, a considerable step forward. So, it dominated the last meeting of the Armed Forces command, that had been held recently. Both the defense minister and the chief of the General Staff highlighted its importance at the meeting," Serdyukov said.

"Both theoretical and practical studies were carried out on the basis of the Southern Military District units, and this is being actively used in the army nowadays," the commander added.


More:
http://tass.com/defense/958440

Look first video franco for Sprut

Large-scale airborne drills are taking place in the Pskov region - the military is testing new equipment.

Ulyanovsk Airborne formation has held first tactic exercise using BMD-4M and BTR-MDM combat vehicles

The Ulyanovsk Airborne formation has held first tactic exercise using BMD-4M and BTR-MDM combat vehicles. The hardware was introduced in April and August 2017.

In course of the exercise, the troops have used technical and firing capabilities of the newest combat vehicles for the first time.

The troops operated in complicated weather conditions at unfamiliar ranges. The tactical exercise involved units of the Central MD army aviation.





http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12143401@egNews

Large scale Airborne exercises in the Far East. It was mentioned earlier how this was the first major Parachute training exercise by this unit (83rd) which although an Air Assault brigade was until recently a part of the Ground Forces along with the 11th and 56th Guard Air Assault brigades. Probably most were not aware that these units were not equipped with BMD's, but BTR's and BMP's or even for a while SUV's in one unit. It has only been after becoming part of the Airborne Forces that they have started receiving BMD's. As the other Airborne units start receiving new BMD-4M's, their old BMD-2's have been transferred to these 3 brigades. Their BMP's and BTR's are then available for use in the new regiments being formed for the new Divisions back West.

http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12147607@egNews

First-ever Military Transport Aviation drills with 5,500 paratroopers kick off in Russia

More:
http://tass.com/defense/972545


By the end of 2017, VDV (para/airborne) to receive 10,000 D-10 parachute systems.

http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12148554@egNews

Spetsnaz VDV (airborne) to receive 40 Tigr-M 4x4s with Arbalet-DM RWS by the year end:

http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12149173@egNews

Large-scale tactical airborne training in the Primorsky Territory (Photos)

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/2934999.html

First battalion (171st) of the new 97th Air Assault Regiment being formed in Crimea went operational. The 97th will become the 3rd Regiment of the 7th Guards Airborne Division.

Formed on the territory of the Crimean peninsula, the airborne assault battalion of the Airborne Forces received a combat banner during the solemn ceremony. The ceremony was held at the central stadium of the city of Feodosia. The battalion was given by the commander of the Airborne Forces of Russia Andrei Serdyukov to the battalion and a letter from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces. At the central stadium of Theodosia (the former "Crystal") in the solemn event, the head of the region Sergei Aksyonov also took part.

"Today, another page is inscribed in the history of the Airborne Forces. A separate assault and assault battalion with a dislocation in the city of Feodosia was formed. I congratulate you on this event! I express confidence that all tasks assigned to the battalion will be fulfilled."

Statement of the Head of the Republic of Crimea:

"Warriors paratroopers are always on the front line. Crimeans are proud of you! I am sure that your unit will strengthen the military grouping of Russian troops in the territory of the Crimea."

Alexei Tolmachyov, commander of the Airborne Forces Training Department of the Russian Airborne Forces, responded in a retort that servicemen of the battalion will keep the glorious traditions of the airborne troops and guard Russia's borders in the Crimea.

On the occasion of the solemn presentation of the flag to the battalion of the Airborne Forces in Feodosia, festive events are held, including demonstration performances by paratroopers, the performance of famous musical works by the combined orchestra of the 7th Airborne Assault Division, an exhibition of weapons and military equipment, exhibition fights in hand-to-hand combat, and much more.

VDV[poss.106 Gv VDD unit(s)] exercise at Dubrovichi range,Ryazan Obl.(ZVO), during which participants were mastering recon & fire cycles using a variety of C4ISR assets.Serdykov was present.

Note KRUS Strelets,1L122-E1 & 14Ts822 Grot-M #GLONASS/GPS receiver

I never really understood why the BTR-RD was designed the way it was. Its missile can only be fired by an exposed operator and it only has one, so it doesn't have the fire power of BRDM-based tank destroyers despite being larger and more spacious and it is more difficult to use while under fire. It provides carries additional missile launchers for dismounts, but the standard BMD can also carry an additional launcher for the dismounts to use. There were also no thermobaric or HE missiles for the Konkurs/Fagot back then, so the platform was very inefficient against anything that wasn't a tank. Does anyone know something about the BTR-RD that can shed light on its purpose?

Interlinked wrote:I never really understood why the BTR-RD was designed the way it was. Its missile can only be fired by an exposed operator and it only has one, so it doesn't have the fire power of BRDM-based tank destroyers despite being larger and more spacious and it is more difficult to use while under fire. It provides carries additional missile launchers for dismounts, but the standard BMD can also carry an additional launcher for the dismounts to use. There were also no thermobaric or HE missiles for the Konkurs/Fagot back then, so the platform was very inefficient against anything that wasn't a tank. Does anyone know something about the BTR-RD that can shed light on its purpose?

For one thing it's air-droppable. Neither the BRDM nor any other tank destroyer is.

For another it carries troops. So basically it's a BTR-D with an AT missile instead of a machine gun. The VDV are limited in terms of the number of vehicles they'll have with them; so having a dual-purpose vehicle of both transporting troops and destroying tanks makes sense; even if they have to sacrifice the tank-destroying capability somewhat.
The BTR-RD actually carries up to 12 ATGM missiles inside it. So it's not only acting as an ATGM vehicle, but is basically transporting the equivalent of an ATGM squad in a pinch. That's a lot of AT firepower that can be brought to bear.

Anything that's not a tank can be engaged by the troops themselves that are being transported by the vehicle. Even the standard machine gun of a standard BTR-D is not a serious weapon; like on the BTR series, those machine guns are just intended for self-defences against any ambushes the vehicle finds itself in - it's an APC, not an IFV.

Finally, the BTR-RD's designation 'Robot' might provide a hint. The vehicle's ATGM launcher can be remote-controlled by a panel up to 20m away from the vehicle. So if used in a defensive position, the crew can park in cover, dismount and then hide themselves for more protection. If the vehicle is destroyed; they'll still survive.

So overall I can see exactly the reason why it was designed the way it was; seems like an ideal solution for the VDV.

Thanks for the detailed reply. However, I still don't see how the air-drop feature prevents the BTR-RD from having a multi-shot missile launcher like the 9P148 tank destroyer. The air-drop capability never stopped the BMD-1 from having the same armament as the BMP-1, or the BMD-2 from having the same armament as the BMP-2. It would be kinda okay if the BTR-RD was classified only as an anti-tank squad transport, but it is not just a transport. The BTR-RD was used as a tank destroyer and it replaced the ASU-85 as a self-propelled gun in artillery regiments (without thermobaric or HE missiles!). Since its used in so many major roles, it's difficult to understand why its firepower is so limited.

If it had an external five-shot launcher, it would have a lot more firepower. There is no need for the launcher to retract like the 9P148, so internal space for dismounts is not affected. Reloading the launcher would still be done manually by a guy popping out of a hatch, but it makes much more sense to be able to fire 5 missiles before retreating and reloading instead of needing to do so after every shot. In its existing state, the BTR-RD is just a BTR-D with an off-the-shelf 9P135M mounted on top, which begs the question: why don't all BTR-Ds carry a missile launcher on the top? This would allow any air-dropped company to make full use of every vehicle at their disposal.

As for the remote fire feature - does it really exist? The missile launcher is the 9P135M, and the 9P135M doesn't have that feature as far as I'm aware. I don't doubt that it can be useful if it really exists, but the vehicle only has a single 9P135M launcher and one missile. After every shot, somebody will have to reload it. It would be much safer to do that inside the armoured hull using internally stowed missiles than to do it from the outside, where you will have no cover and you can't keep low to the ground since the missiles are on the roof of the vehicle. Also, some poor guy would have to run 20m between the hiding spot and the vehicle to reload after every shot. That's extremely dangerous.

Thanks for the detailed reply. However, I still don't see how the air-drop feature prevents the BTR-RD from having a multi-shot missile launcher like the 9P148 tank destroyer. The air-drop capability never stopped the BMD-1 from having the same armament as the BMP-1, or the BMD-2 from having the same armament as the BMP-2.

Note the pattern... the vehicles with automatic loading... ie BRDM don't carry troops, while the other vehicles you mentioned are hand loaded anyway... the first launchers for the BMP were manually aimed too, but later combined model that could fire faggot or konkurs could be fired from inside the vehicle... but still get out to reload...

The BTR-RD was used as a tank destroyer and it replaced the ASU-85 as a self-propelled gun in artillery regiments (without thermobaric or HE missiles!). Since its used in so many major roles, it's difficult to understand why its firepower is so limited.

I would say 12 missiles able to defeat targets out to 4.5km is rather more potent than any version of the ASU-85...

Considering the standoff range and the fact that it would be used deep behind enemy lines rather than for front line stuff that was probably considered adequate.

If it had an external five-shot launcher, it would have a lot more firepower. There is no need for the launcher to retract like the 9P148, so internal space for dismounts is not affected. Reloading the launcher would still be done manually by a guy popping out of a hatch, but it makes much more sense to be able to fire 5 missiles before retreating and reloading instead of needing to do so after every shot. In its existing state, the BTR-RD is just a BTR-D with an off-the-shelf 9P135M mounted on top, which begs the question: why don't all BTR-Ds carry a missile launcher on the top? This would allow any air-dropped company to make full use of every vehicle at their disposal.

Likely the fact that the VDV wont be operating on the front line and are not expecting to come across that many enemy tanks...

The BMD-4M will have gun tube launched ATGMs anyway.

As for the remote fire feature - does it really exist? The missile launcher is the 9P135M, and the 9P135M doesn't have that feature as far as I'm aware. I don't doubt that it can be useful if it really exists, but the vehicle only has a single 9P135M launcher and one missile. After every shot, somebody will have to reload it. It would be much safer to do that inside the armoured hull using internally stowed missiles than to do it from the outside, where you will have no cover and you can't keep low to the ground since the missiles are on the roof of the vehicle. Also, some poor guy would have to run 20m between the hiding spot and the vehicle to reload after every shot. That's extremely dangerous.

My understanding of the remote launch option was that the vehicle was sitting behind cover with the launcher angled up to fire over that cover so the vehicle is out of the targets line of sight. The remote launch position has a direct view of the target and guides the missile but because nothing has actually been launched from it there is no smoke or flame to attract attention to your location.

Loading it should not be an issue in that regard.

A hypothetical multi-shot launcher for a hypothetical BTR-RD doesn't have to be automatically loaded, nor does it have to retract into the hull or anything like that. Also 9P148 is not automatically loaded. It must be loaded manually be the crew after it expends all missiles on the retractable launcher. For the BTR-RD, it doesn't have to retract so the crew can just load it externally from a hatch. That's good enough for any situation.

ASU-85 was not just a tank destroyer but also an SPG to support infantry. It got replaced by the BTR-Rd in that role as well as in the tank destroyer role, but no HE or thermobaric missile was available so it could be considered both an upgrade and a downgrade at the same time.

Even if a VDV division was not expected to face that many tanks, being able to fire missiles at bunkers and other fortifications at a high standoff range is useful. Standard RPGs carried by the infantry can bust through any concrete bunkers, but getting close enough to score a hit is suicidal even if they are transported in a BTR-D since it can't guarantee protection from .50 Cal fire at close range.

I assume that the operator for the remote launch option has his own sights and control system to guide the missile? The 9P135M is a SACLOS launcher after all and it needs to have it's tracking optic pointed directly at the target which is not possible if it is aimed at the sky. Any idea what the device used for the remote launch is called?

ASU-85 was not just a tank destroyer but also an SPG to support infantry. It got replaced by the BTR-Rd in that role as well as in the tank destroyer role, but no HE or thermobaric missile was available so it could be considered both an upgrade and a downgrade at the same time.

As a self propelled gun its role would be replaced more by NONA with its 120mm mortar and of course the newer model IFVs had 100mm rifled guns to support troops.

Even if a VDV division was not expected to face that many tanks, being able to fire missiles at bunkers and other fortifications at a high standoff range is useful. Standard RPGs carried by the infantry can bust through any concrete bunkers, but getting close enough to score a hit is suicidal even if they are transported in a BTR-D since it can't guarantee protection from .50 Cal fire at close range.

120mm gun/mortars and 100mm rifled guns were more than adequate replacement for 57mm and 85mm guns...

I assume that the operator for the remote launch option has his own sights and control system to guide the missile? The 9P135M is a SACLOS launcher after all and it needs to have it's tracking optic pointed directly at the target which is not possible if it is aimed at the sky.

There were remote launchers and for some mounts you simply removed it from the vehicle to fire the missiles...

GarryB wrote:
As a self propelled gun its role would be replaced more by NONA with its 120mm mortar and of course the newer model IFVs had 100mm rifled guns to support troops.

Fair point, but there is a 50/50 mix of BTR-RDs and Nona-S's in any given artillery regiment. ASU-85 was a multi-purpose spg that could be used for long range indirect fire support, direct fire support, and anti-tank action. It got replaced by two distinct specialized weapon systems. Obviously the combat capabilities of VDV divisions went up when the BTR-D and its variants were introduced, all I'm saying is that the BTR-RD could be better or more flexible.

BTW here is what I mean when I said that there are issues regarding safety during reloads:

120mm gun/mortars and 100mm rifled guns were more than adequate replacement for 57mm and 85mm guns...

I was talking about equipping all if not most BTR-Ds with an 9P135M missile launcher so that the organic firepower of the infantry is improved.

There were remote launchers and for some mounts you simply removed it from the vehicle to fire the missiles...

Any idea what the remote launcher is called?

Obviously the combat capabilities of VDV divisions went up when the BTR-D and its variants were introduced, all I'm saying is that the BTR-RD could be better or more flexible.

I am not saying you don't have a point but I suspect it was cheaper to go with the simpler mount and that some times they carried troops instead of ATGMs.

I would say in most cases a hull down position would be found and the ATGM launcher would be used at max range possible... ie 4-4.5km, so the risk of enemy return fire wont be enormous. These missiles are wire guided so the launch vehicle will not be able to move while the missile is in flight because a snagged wire that breaks means the missile hits nothing.

The fact that they use Faggot/Konkurs suggests they want the extra range, as Metis is lighter and more portable... and rather cheaper yet with much better armour penetration performance.

I was talking about equipping all if not most BTR-Ds with an 9P135M missile launcher so that the organic firepower of the infantry is improved.

Actually a conversion to Kornet would be a rather bigger and better step... much greater range... much higher missile flight speed so shorter engagement time, and no wire so in theory the missiles could be fired on the move even if they needed to be manually reloaded.

Any idea what the remote launcher is called?

Sorry... no.

The BRDM-3 had the retractable 5 tube launcher that could fire AT-4 and AT-5 missiles and could also be remote controlled... that would probably be a good place to start looking.