The recent announcement of the agreement between the Greek and German governments for the “exchange” of armored vehicles BMP-1 and Marder 1A3, caused, as was normal, enough comment in all media. Among them, the placements of apostates stood out, that is, products, due to the loud misinformation or even incorrect comments, even on “simple” issues related to the technology and the total operational value of the BMP-1 of Soviet origin that will be withdrawn from the Greek Army. The most outrageous case was the claim of the supposedly high firepower of the BMP-1, which was even considered superior to the Marder 1A3.
All of this is frustrating to hear from the military, and even more so from senior and top retirees and even former Leaders. Such a level of commentary raises obvious questions about the level of knowledge of “simple” things and leads to the following conclusions:
These military men, whose CVs are often adorned with non-military science degrees, even if they have not served in BMP-1 units, have not heard of the unit’s general problems with the material.
The competent Directorates of Arms – Corps, in order not to become unpleasant, hide the problem “under the rug” and do not prepare reports on the problems of the material used. Or if they write, the bosses are not interested.
The administrations of the units, in order not to become unpleasant, hide the problem “under the rug” and do not write official reports to the superiors, for the problems of the existing material. Or if they write, the bosses are not interested.
These soldiers, especially the honorary ones, if they visited – inspected some of the units with BMP-1, were not interested in being informed “first hand” by going for a walk with one of them. They were interested in… others.
Because obviously all of this does not apply, then either one of the above applies in the cases of the specific apostates with the result that they “have not smelled”, or they are simply placed irresponsibly on issues of which they are aware, solely for reasons of personal expediency. such as exercising opposition to the government. In this way, however, they misinform and mislead public opinion.
Because in the final analysis the personnel who are called to handle the weapons is what really evaluates, let’s hear the opinion of an officer, with 10 years of experience from BMP-1. His observations can responsibly inform not only the most ignorant but also the said apostates who were placed, with or without reservations, in favor of BMP-1.
“I wish we could get rid of BMP 1 OST. What to start with! Colleagues who heard the development for Marder, celebrate as if the Joker fell to them!
In my unit we only had BMP. Everyone hated them. Incredibly problematic and also dangerous.
It was in a miserable condition. In operating condition about 20%. Vehicles came out of the unit for exercise but if they went out, they stayed there. You do not do business like that.
Lack of spare parts even for the simplest and we ran in the political market with patents to replace the tubes that filled the bottles because it had airbrush in addition to the normal start.
Usually they started with the aeromiza but due to age they did not fill all the bottles and each batch had 2-3 BMP which we put in front and put with them to fill the bottles of the whole batch.
The engine burned a lot of oil, as a result of which exhaust fumes escaped from the exhaust, making everyone shit and with them fire sparks. For this reason, during the summer months we avoided moving them or only accompanied by the fire department of the unit. You would go in to exercise and then the suit was for throwing, full of oils.
If your vehicle goes out of motion and you do not have time to apply the parking brake, the brakes will not work. The vehicle is out of control. Do you remember the accident in Ioannina in 2004?
You could not sit inside with a kit, helmet and if you are over 1.65 cm tall. I’m 1.74 and I went in with my helmet on and I was gripping all over. Going out from behind is also not practical.
Of the entire battalion, only 20% had a 73 mm operational cannon.
We just set up the vehicle, aimed at the target and everyone threw there without changing the aim.
The guns often did not fire, either due to damage or lack of electrical power.
The automatic filling had been removed and when we were going for BOP, you put the projectile in the shutter and holding a piece of wood like a hammer handle, you had to push the projectile in to lock the shutter. If you tried with your hands, there was a risk of losing your fingers.
To start, the driver had to fully depress the accelerator and of course there was electricity.
For night businesses, no reason. They brought ancient Russian periscopes at night. They were never used. ”
