New Russian: T-15 BMP-KSh goes off-road

That the Russians are quite consistent in developing their tanks is demonstrated by new images showing the armored personnel carrier version of the T-14 Armata on a test track at the 38th Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The T-15 BMP-KSh uses the same chassis as the main battle tank T-14, which significantly simplifies the logistics of spare parts and naturally creates a harmonious team with the main battle tank and combat infantry fighting vehicle, optimizing their cooperation.

Before passing by, the frontal view: Typical is the highly contoured frontal armor, which strongly reminds us of a Manta and gives the T-15 a very distinctive appearance. We see a tow rope mounted directly at the front bottom. And below that, something that we would interpret as a mounting for a dozer blade.

When the T-15 rushes by, you see what kind of battleship it is. The tank itself is narrower, but receives much of its shape from the additional armor, which is very angularly shaped in the front third, making it look like a Manta. In addition to passive protection measures, the active ones are also particularly important for survival. The T-15, like the T-14, carries the Afghanit system, whose performance is not yet completely clear. In the image, however, two different types of missile launchers are visible, both belong to the system.

The Russian graphic from 2015 shows the components of Afghanit on the vehicle and also explains the infantry fighting vehicle variant with turret. Three crew members (commander/gunner/driver) are provided, plus a group of nine armored infantrymen/motorized infantrymen.

Modularity is now a key factor for success. There are many possibilities, especially with additional armor. After the passing, the observer clearly recognizes that this T-15 carries a double-layered reactive armor. The front "Manta fin" is already reactive armored, but additionally single-layered, on the sides of the vehicle, two layers are clearly visible. Tandem shaped charges will struggle here. Survival on the battlefield is of utmost importance. And the Russians have surely thought of something against Javelin from above.

It is interesting that this could be the same vehicle, but equipped with very different additional armor, lighter. The front "Manta" has nothing mounted on it, but on the sides, the reactive armor hangs single-layered. The T-15 appears less bulky. On the back, the exit is additionally equipped with a mesh armor, preventing RPG hits.

Frontal photo in the terrain: this is what the opponent should see. Compared to previous Russian BMPs, the T-15 is large, and the extreme inclination at the front of the armor is intended to provide additional protection when the combat infantry fighting vehicle faces the enemy head-on. Allegedly, this is a new T-15 command vehicle, but the covered turret ring of the combat turret is clearly visible. What the "package" above it is, we do not know: communication box? And/or sensor package for Afghanit? The sensors for Afghanit are the two "lunch boxes" to the right and left of the driver compartment above the launch tubes.

Overall impressive images of the T-15. At first, we were always a bit curious about what the vehicle reminds us of. It seems as if the Russians have taken the Israelis as inspiration to turn a combat vehicle into an armored personnel carrier. In the IDF, this is the Achzarit, a modified T-55 base captured vehicle converted into a heavy armored personnel carrier, or the Namer as an armored transporter and variant of the Merkava. Above all, the Achzarit somehow clearly reminds us of the T-15 without a turret. Or vice versa ... More on the current assessment of the T-14 on SPARTANAT: FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT THE T-14 ARMATA

The Russian Ministry of Defense on the internet: eng.mil.ru