The soldiers of the 40th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade of the Naval Infantry of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are equipped with the BMP-1TS infantry fighting vehicle, armed with the Ukrainian combat module "Spear." In a segment by "Army TV," the military shared the advantages of this vehicle that assists them in destroying the Russian occupying forces.
"The [fire control] system is very interesting. Essentially, in today's world, the standard setup includes a screen, additional ammunition switching, the number of rounds, and the steering wheel. The ballistic settings are adjusted with this button - meaning that when I press it, after measuring the distance to the target, the module's cannon automatically determines the angle it needs to take for the bullet to reach the target," explains the BMP-1TS gunner with the call sign "Donetsky."
He emphasizes the importance of having stabilization in the combat module, which allows them to hit enemy targets while on the move. "While driving, if I need to engage a target 'on the go,' I press a button, and the module starts tracking the position of the pre-set target. Accordingly, during movement, the turret adjusts its tilt and turns. The vehicle drives itself, while the turret operates 'independently,'" notes the soldier.
He also compares the BMP-1TS with the BMP-2: "During training, we worked together with the 'two.' The 'two' fires randomly. This one - always on target. The 'two' shoots faster, but this one is more accurate."
The BMP-1TS showcased in the segment lacks an anti-tank missile system (ATGM). The soldiers point out that it can be installed if necessary, as the vehicle has all the required mounts, protection for the launcher, and so on.
The commander of the armored group of the 1st Battalion of the brigade, with the call sign "Grizzly," spoke about the specifics of operating armored vehicles on the battlefield: "We equip ourselves, prepare the crews - they also alternate, not the same ones all the time, but one after another. There are also BMP-2 crews, always on standby. For example, if we send two 'TS' vehicles, one BMP-2 is already on standby. We have faced situations where one vehicle would go out, take a hit, and we needed to tow it."
The commander explains that they later realized the need for two vehicles to go on missions, and additionally, another one must be warmed up to depart for assistance if necessary. "They try to work synchronously; they have different lines, but the last time they went out, it worked well - one operated from one side, the other from the other, targeting the same point."