The Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) continue replenishing their lost equipment from the early phases of the invasion of Ukraine with the latest delivery of modernized amphibious armored vehicles, the BTR-MD “Rakushka.” These units, as reported in the initial days of the conflict, were central to some of the most intense battles against Ukrainian troops. According to High Precision Systems, new units have been provided under state contracts.
Derived from the BMD-3 family, the BTR-MD “Rakushka” is an amphibious, airborne-tracked armored vehicle designed to serve multiple roles, including personnel transport, ambulance, command post, and recovery vehicle.
However, its primary strength lies in its rapid deployment from aircraft and the capability to be air-dropped alongside airborne troops, which entails a trade-off in terms of armor and protection. Considering this, Rostec highlighted in its official statement that this new batch of armored vehicles has been equipped with enhancements to increase battlefield survivability.
Like other armored vehicles, the units delivered to the Russian Airborne Forces are outfitted with the Nakidka camouflage system. Additionally, Rostec indicated in its official communication that the Rakushkas are “…equipped with systems for local suppression of drone control lines and protective sets for the upper hemisphere.”
Although specific details were not disclosed, the Russian industrial complex has modernized the BTR-MD into an updated variant by incorporating these new protective systems, along with night vision optics, resulting in the new designation of “BTR-MDM.”
Finally, as is common in such announcements, Rostec did not disclose the number of units of the modernized amphibious armored vehicle delivered to the VDV, specifying only that: “… a new batch of BTR-MDM ‘Rakushka-M’ combat vehicles has been sent to the client under the 2024 state defense order. The equipment has passed all functional tests and has been approved by military inspection representatives.”
*Photos used for illustration purposes.
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