Photos of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles with an unusual design, spotted in Libya, have been published on social media. According to reports, the equipment was adopted by the Libyan National Army.
The vehicles differ from the basic version: they are equipped with spaced armor, an anti-drone visor with a mesh screen, and a Triton electronic warfare complex. This system suppresses the guidance channels of kamikaze drones, which is particularly relevant in modern conflicts.
BMP-3s have already proven their reliability in countries with hot climates – hundreds of such vehicles are successfully operated in the UAE and Kuwait. Until now, the core of the Libyan forces' fleet consisted of BMP-1s, purchased during the Soviet period. Their service life and level of protection no longer meet current battlefield requirements.
The spaced armor used on the new vehicles involves placing several armor plates with a gap between them. This scheme is more effective than monolithic protection of the same mass against cumulative and kinetic munitions.
The appearance of modernized BMP-3s may affect the tactics of ground operations in the region, especially in terms of countering unmanned reconnaissance and strike assets.