Ukrainian designers have successfully tested two combat stations, one of which will be selected for use on a new upgrade of the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle, Ukraine’s state-run weapons industry concern UkrOboronProm said on March 20.
In a statement on its website, the company said the combat stations, named Shkval and Stilet, produced at the Zhytomyr Armored Plant, were tested at a firing range in Zhytomyr Oblast. The tests were designed to assess and compare the stations’ accuracy, speed and efficiency in action.
UkrOboronProm said based on the results of the firing tests, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense would select which station to install on its new, advanced version of the BMP-1.
“This will significantly increase the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian Army,” the company said.
“It will receive a new infantry fighting vehicle, equipped with a modern digital fire control complex, with a powerful arsenal of weapons and a Deutz engine, and increased security and camouflage, including in the infrared range.”
The Shkval combat station is equipped with a 30-millimeter 3TM-1 automatic cannon as its base weapon, complimented by a 7.62-milimeter coaxial machine gun, a 30-millimetre AG-17 mortar, and an anti-tank guided missile unit able to target armored vehicles from up to 5 kilometers away.
The Stilet station has same weapons, apart from the more modern 3TM-2 cannon and enhanced armor. It also has a different targeting system.
The Stilet and Shkval combat stations were designed in the 2000s and were later put into service by the Ukrainian Armed forces and produced for export. Installed mostly on light vehicles, these complexes are meant to enhance a unit’s general effectiveness in combat, in particular against both hostile infantry and armored vehicles.
Since being put in service and exported, the Stilet and Shkval have been most commonly installed on BMP-1U infantry fighting vehicles and BTR-3U Guardian armored personnel carriers.
Apart from the Ukrainian armed forces, the combat stations are operated in Georgia, Chad, Myanmar and Uzbekistan.
