The Iraqi Army has received the first batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles that it purchased from the Russian government. The first arrived in Iraq BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles were seen in photographs that began circulating on social media on 28 August.

Iraq’s source said that negotiations for this purchase began in 2014, but its implementation was delayed due to various challenges. Also reported that Iraq has purchased a several hundred of new BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles. About three hundred combat vehicles will be delivered to Iraq in the period 2018 and 2022.

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 stabilisation 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. Accrtoding to the armyrecognition.com, the hull and the turret of the BMP-3 is welded aluminium, which provides a protection against firing of small arms calibre 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 armour is fitted as standard.

<Source:https://defence-blog.com/iraq-receives-first-bmp-3-infantry-fighting-vehicles-russia/>