Boragh or Boraq (Persian: نفربر براق) is an Iranian-made armoured personnel carrier. Boragh is believed to be a reverse engineered and upgraded model of the Chinese Type 86 (BMP-1).[3] The upgrades include a reduction in weight, a higher road speed, and stronger armor. The vehicle is fully amphibious and is fitted with an NBC protection system and infra-red night vision equipment.
| Boragh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Armoured personnel carrier |
| Place of origin | Iran |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Defense Industries Organization (Iran) MIC (Sudan)[1] |
| Produced | 1997–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 13 tons |
| Length | 6.72 m |
| Width | 3.10 m |
| Height | 1.66 m |
| Crew | 3 (+8 passengers) |
| Armor | Welded rolled steel[2] |
Main armament | 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun (1,000 rounds), 30 mm cannon, 120 mm mortar or a Toophan ATGM launcher |
Secondary armament | unknown |
| Engine | V-8 diesel 330 hp (246 kW) |
| Power/weight | 25.4 hp/tonne (18.9 kW/tonne) |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 550 km |
| Maximum speed | 65 km/h (road) 45 km/h (off-road) |
It was reported in May 2002 that three additional variants are produced by the Vehicle and Equipment Group (VEIG) of the Iranian Defence Industries Organisation (DIO). These are a 120 mm mortar carrier, an ammunition resupply vehicle, and an armoured personnel carrier (APC) fitted with improved armaments.[4]
Description
editBoragh is a tracked APC. Rubber elements on the track are added to prevent damage on paved surfaces.[4] It has a crew of three (driver, commander and gunner).
It can transport up to 8 infantry soldiers. Boragh's main armament consists of the DShK 1938/46 12.7 mm heavy machine gun on a rotatable mount.[5] Some vehicles have the machine gun mount protected all around by an armoured shield.
The vehicle is equipped with an NBC protection system and is capable of laying down a defensive smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust outlet.[6]
The vehicle is named after the Buraq, a winged steed from Islamic mythology.
Variants
editIran
edit- Boragh – Reverse engineered BMP-1 or Type 86 (WZ-501) converted into an APC. It is very similar to Chinese WZ-503 APC. It has V-8 turbocharged diesel engine which delivers 330 hp (246 kW). It also has road wheels from the US M113 APC. Combat weight was reduced to 13 tonnes. The other upgrades include a higher road speed and stronger armor. Number of passengers was increased from 8 to 12. The 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun (1,000 rounds) serves as a main weapon of the vehicle.[7]
- Boragh APC with a shield around DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun mount.[7]
- Boragh converted into an IFV. The armament is mounted in a turret. The primary armament consists of the 2A42 30 mm autocannon stabilized in both planes with a double-belt feed. The secondary armament consists of the PKT 7.62 mm tank machine gun, mounted coaxially with the gun. The vehicle is also armed with a mount for an anti-tank guided missile system.[7] Some were also fitted with the complete turret of the BMP-1, armed with a 73mm smoothbore gun.[8]
- Boragh armed with 120 mm mortar.
- Boragh with 1-man turret armed with the Toophan ATGM system.
- Raad-1 (Thunder-1) – Boragh converted into a self-propelled howitzer fitted with a turret from the 2S1 Gvozdika.[7]
- Cobra – Concept vehicle for the Boragh armed with 23 mm anti-aircraft gun for use as a fire support vehicle.[7]
- Boragh converted into an ammunition resupply vehicle.
Sudan
editOperators
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d Military Industry Corporation (MIC) Official Website Archived April 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "DIOMIL" Archived 2007-06-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Boragh Armored Personnel Carrier | Military-Today.com". Archived from the original on 2017-02-23. Retrieved 2017-02-24.
- ^ a b John Pike. "Type 86 WZ501 Infantry Fighting Vehicle". Archived from the original on 2021-08-24. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ "Boragh - Specifications". Archived from the original on 2012-11-11.
- ^ "Russiafile.com". Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e ""JED The Military Equipment Directory"". Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ Cordesman, Anthony H.; Kleiber, Martin (2007). Iran's Military Forces and Warfighting Capabilities: The Threat in the Northern Gulf. Greenwood. p. 52. ISBN 978-0-313-34612-5.
- ^ John Pike. "Iranian Ground Forces Equipment". Archived from the original on 3 March 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ The Military Balance, 2023, p.324
- ^ "SIPRI Arms Transfers Database". Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2014.