Tank origin

As the world’s first infantry fighting vehicle, the BMP-1 redefined armored warfare and became a symbol of Cold War-era conflict. Unlike the open-top armored personnel carriers of World War II, the BMP-1 featured a fully enclosed, all-welded steel construction with ports that allowed infantry to open fire on the battlefield without leaving the vehicle’s protection. It also was armed with a 73mm gun and an AT-3A Sagger anti-tank guided missile system and fitted with full nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) filtration. Additionally, it was completely amphibious. The BMP-1 entered service in 1966.