The photo above that appeared in open sources lately depicts a russian BMP-2 combat vehicle modified beyond recognition with various improvised disguise techniques. Generally, it's a hand-welded metal framework installed like a slat armor with several camo nets put on top.
So far, there is not much data to assess whether it is a sole case of an "upgrade" to the BMP-2 or the russian military plans to produce this protection kit in series. There is not enough data either, on which segment of the frontline this unique vehicle was seen.
Read more: Tell Me What Are You: russians Made the Weirdest Tuning for a T-72 Possible (Photo)
Nonetheless, it is an important example that gives us a clue where the russians can take their unusual ideas for vehicle protection from. Especially if we recall another instance of an odd "enhancements" applied to a T-72 which drastically changed the looks of the tank in an attempt to save it from drone assaults.
One of the suggestions that Defense Express encountered online was that russians could have remembered about their development from the 1950s called Pauchok ("Little Spider" in russian) designed for the T-54 tank. Basically, the Pauchok is another kind of cage armor used for supporting the camouflage net.
But perhaps the russians did not dig that deep and intuitively used welded framework following the example of their comrades who tend to believe this sort of protection is effective against Javelin anti-tank missiles and droppable grenades carried by Ukrainian drones.
While such a canopy may be useful against primitive explosives, its intended function – disguise – wasn't utilized properly, at least in this particular case that got on the photos. As outdated as this development is, it also cannot perform the classic slat armor function, that is, obstruct an enemy strike with a shaped-charge weapon because the bars serve as nothing but a "skeleton" of this superstructure.
Earlier Defense Express covered many other examples of russian protection kits and improvised handicrafts, such as the 675-sb3KDZ armor, ERA modules on top of cope cages, and even wooden armor, as well as successful and not dummies of their military equipment intended to deceive Ukrainian forces.
Read more: russian Wooden Armor Mania for Military Vehicles Has Reached New Levels (Photo)
