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DIO Boragh

1997 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER MODERN SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY

History of DIO Boragh

On the eve of the Islamic Revolution, Iran received military support from the United States and other Western countries. After the revolution, this support ended, relations with the Soviet Union were established, and the Iranian army became the recipient of various Russian weapons, aircraft and vehicles.

However, the protracted combat operations of the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s clearly demonstrated the outdated nature of the Russian system, and support for Western weapons was a clear disadvantage for the regime in its operations. As a result, it was decided to launch a new Iranian initiative where the country will no longer rely on foreign aid to deploy its military forces in the region.

To this end, the Boragh is a tracked armored structure designed to be the main indigenously designed and produced armored personnel carrier (APC) for the Iranian military. Production of the Boragh APC is believed to have started in 1997 under the banner of the Iranian Defense Industries Organization.

The Bolag is very similar to the original Soviet-era BMP-1 armored personnel carrier, but it is believed to be derived from a Chinese replica - the Type 86. The vehicle promotes a low profile with an almost flat glacis panel. The chassis is spanned by a six-wheel track arrangement with drive sprockets at the front and track idlers at the rear. The top of the fuselage is sawn flat and can be used for any weapon mount.

The rear of the vehicle is square and contains fighting compartment entry and exit doors for passengers. Boragh is driven by three key personnel, including the driver and the vehicle commander. and dedicated shooters to manage the tower. The rear fighting compartment accommodates eight passengers in four rows, with each group placed back-to-back along the centerline of the vehicle. The vehicle is protected by an integrated NBC system (nuclear, biological, chemical).

All key crew positions will be equipped with infrared night vision goggles to assist with night operations.

While the Boragh was primarily an armored personnel carrier, it was equipped with a point defense system consisting of a large-caliber 12.7mm Soviet DShK series DShK 1938/46 machine gun for air defense and personnel suppression missions. The weapon system is equipped with up to 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

Some versions have been seen with shields to protect outdoor turrets. Among other Boragh variants, the vehicle is equipped for a more aggressive role on the battlefield, and the armament is equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun (infantry fighting vehicle variant), caliber field mortar 120mm (mortar variant) extension. Or with a reloaded Toophan anti-tank missile launcher.

In any case, the base chassis can be used for various battlefield needs required by the Iranian army.

The Boragh is powered by a single V8 diesel engine mounted to the front of the vehicle, rated at up to 330 hp. This enables the vehicle to reach a top road speed of 65 km/h and an off-road speed of 45 km/h. The range is 550 kilometers. The chassis sits on a torsion bar suspension system for improved performance quality. Fuel provides the vehicle with a dynamic smoke control system by injecting raw fuel into the engine to produce the desired smoke.

The Boragh - like the BMP-1 before it - is thought to be fully amphibious and propelled through water by its own orbit.

APC Boragh entered frontline service in 1997 and has served in the armies of Iran, Kazakhstan and Sudan. The Iranian and Kazakh armies each have an inventory of about 40 vehicles, and at the time of writing, some Sudanese, which manufacture the model locally, have delivered at least 10.

In Sudan service, the Boragh was designated as "Khatim 1", manufactured by the MIC Group.

Other Iranian Boragh variants include field ammunition supply vehicles and self-propelled howitzer platforms. The SPG version was developed in two different forms, called "Raad-1" and "Raad-2" ("Thunder-1" and "Thunder-2)".

The main difference between the two developments is the turret - the former uses the 2S1 Gvozdika's turret and the latter uses the M109A1-style box structure.

APCs for advanced weapons, 120mm mortar carriers and self-propelled howitzers were introduced in 2002. Equipment and Rail System - Also carries a 122mm howitzer in a powered 2S1 turret.