Panda Hobby 35024 BTR Object 693 Kurganets-25

The Kurganets-25 (designation: Object 693) is a modern Russian tracked armored personnel carrier (APC) or infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). The vehicle is powered by a single engine a diesel engine with a power of approx. 750-800 HP. The armament - in the IFV version - consists of: a 30mm 2A42 cannon, a Kornet-M anti-tank guided missile launcher and a 7.62mm machine gun.

The Kurganets-25 was developed to replace BMP and BMD (1,2 and 3) vehicles, as well as - possibly - MT-LB vehicles, in the Russian armed forces. Advanced work on the prototype took place around 2011-2012, and in 2015 the first prototype and pre-series units appeared. Most likely, in 2017 the vehicle was still being tested by the manufacturer and the Russian army, and its mass production did not start until the end of this year. However, it will most likely start in the period 2018-2020. The delays are mainly due to financial problems related to the entire project. Vehicle The Kurganets-25 is a completely new design and has few elements in common with the BMP family cars. It is able to transport up to 6-7 landing troops with full equipment, providing them with protection against small-caliber fire as well as artillery fragments. The car also has modular armor, which allows to significantly increase its ballistic protection - especially on the sides and in the front of the vehicle. There are many indications that the series produced IFVs will also have an active defense system.