| BMP-2 | BMP-2D | BMP-2 Obr. 1986 | BMP-3 |
The BMP-2 (Russian: БМП-2) is a Soviet Infantry Fighting Vehicle introduced in the 1980s, following the BMP-1 of the 1960s. Its variants are the BMP-2D and the BMP-2 Obr. 1986. The vehicle was first appeared in Wargame: European Escalation.
History[]
A deactivated BMP-2
The arrival of the BMP-1 infantry combat vehicle in the Soviet Army greatly increased the firepower and mobility of infantry formations on the battlefield. However, there were also significant shortcomings, mainly in the armament department. The 73mm Grom gun, which was installed on the BMP-1 wasn't particularly efficient against infantry units, tanks and low flying air targets. In addition to this, the flight of the trajectory became impossible to predict if even a small crosswind was present. To account for these issues, a decision was made to create a new vehicle based on the BMP-1 with the automatic rifled gun. Among the several projects carried out, the vehicle designed by Kurganmashzavod engineers was acknowledged to be superior to the rest.
The BMP-2, which was put into service in 1980s, had a similar design to the BMP-1 in terms of the layout and general configuration. However, the turret underwent significant changes. It now had space for two crew members – the gunner and the commander, and the automatic 30mm 2A42 gun became its primary armament. Just like its predecessor, the BMP-2 was fitted with a launcher capable of firing either the Konkurs or Fagot anti-tank guided missiles, which the vehicle could deploy when engaging tank units. The vehicle was regarded as fairly successful, and over the years of its service, the BMP-2 underwent a series of modernizations and modifications directed at improving the vehicle's defences and increasing its destructive capability. The BMP-2 was originally going to replace the BMP-1, but supplemented it at last.
In Soviet Armed Forces, BMPs were issued to the motor rifle battalions of tank regiments. In a typical motor rifle division, one motor rifle regiment had BMPs, the other two had wheeled BTRs.
The BMP-2 remains in service till now and is in great demand abroad, it was used in a variety of conflicts after the Cold War. Apart from Post-Soviet Republics, BMP-2 was used by a plethora of countries in Africa and East Asia, even the United States for OpFor Training. However, countries like Germany retired much of the BMP stock after reunification with them being sold to other countries or put in museums.
Overview and tactics[]
European Escalation[]
The BMP-2 series is considered the predecessor of BMP-3 in European Escalation. That is to say, unlocking BMP-3 requires unlocking all variants of BMP-2 first.
- Armed with an average Konkurs ATGM and a decent autocannon, the BMP-2 is a rather good versatile transport and offers the PACT the opportunity to field ground autocannons in decent numbers.
- The BMP-2 can be used as dedicated anti-tank units both for assault as well as defense, while the latter is viable. BMP-2s are best used on the offense due its decent speed and the ability to carry troops as well as ATGM support.
- The ATGM of BMP-2 can be devastating against NATO heavy armor, when this is combined with the low cost and quantities of this unit, it becomes a decent workhorse for PACT pushes; however, it may still require support from tanks such as the T-55 series and BT-60s in order to have a screen to shield them against incoming enemy fire.
- While the autocannon can do a decent amount of damage against enemy helicopters, it's always a good idea to bring some additional long range AA support as decent players may keep their airforce out of range of the BMP-2's autocannons.
- Always have your BMP-2s supplied as they have a rather modest number of ATGMs. Also consider that the BMP-2s need to stay static in order to fire and guide their missiles; this may make them vulnerable to counter-attacks. Having recon units to maximize their range benefits and spot a possible ambush is recommended.
Red Dragon[]
Other NATO IFVs with similar functions and a cost of 25 points are M2A1 Bradley and Marder 1A3.
The armament of BMP-2 is not as good as the M2A1 Bradley: the Accuracy of ATGM is 15% lower (60%), while AP Power is the same; Although the main gun has a faster RoF (204RPM), its Range (1750m), Accuracy/Stabilizer (60%/30%), and AP Power (3) are all lower. The Armor of BMP-2 is slightly superior, with 1 more Front Armor (4 vs. 3) but 1 less Side Armor (2 vs. 3).
Compared to the 5/3/2/2 Armor of Marder 1A3, BMP-2 is completely inferior and has significantly weaker survivability. The BMP-2 is also worse in terms of armament: the Accuracy of the MILAN F2 is the same as that of Konkurs, but the AP Power (24) is higher while the Range (2450m) is shorter; the Rh 202 also has a faster RoF (749RPM) and a higher Accuracy/Stabilizer (30%/15%).
It should be noted that the BMP-2D also costs 25 points, sacrificing maneuverability in exchange of 1 more Side Armor.
Weapons[]
European Escalation[]
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | ATGM | Autocannon | No Weapon |
| Name | Konkurs | 2A42 | |
| Caliber | SACLOS | 30mm | |
| Ammo | x 4 missiles | x 500 rounds | |
| Range | Ground = 2625 m Helicopters = N/A m  Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 1575 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
|
| Accuracy | 7 | 3 | |
| AP Power | 12 | 1 | |
| HE Power | 0 | 1 | |
| Rate of fire | 6 r/min | 136 r/min |
AirLand Battle[]
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | ATGM | Autocannon | No Weapon |
| Name | Konkurs | 2A42 | |
| Caliber | SACLOS [HEAT] [GUID] |
30mm [KE] [AoE] | |
| Ammo | x 3 | x 500 | |
| Range | Ground = 2625 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 1575 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
|
| Accuracy | 9 | 3 | |
| AP Power | 20 | 2 | |
| HE Power | N/A | 1 | |
| Suppression | 150 | 69 | |
| Rate of fire | 12 r/min | 136 r/min |
Red Dragon[]
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | ATGM | Autocannon | No Weapon |
| Name | Konkurs | 2A42 | |
| Caliber | SACLOS [HEAT] [GUID] |
30mm [KE] [AoE] | |
| Ammo | x 4 | x 510 | |
| Range | Ground = 2625 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 1575 m Helicopters = 1575 m Airplanes = N/A m
|
|
| Accuracy | 45% | 25% | |
| Stabilizer | N/A | 10% | |
| AP Power | 20 | 2 | |
| HE Power | N/A | 1 | |
| Suppression | 150 | 60 | |
| Rate of fire | 5 s r/min | 562 r/min |
Gallery[]
