BPM-97

Development began in 1997. The new armored vehicle was meant to replace the border guards' main transport, the GAZ-66. After a government funding default in 1998, the much delayed public funding of the project was stopped. In order to offset the cost of the development in the absence of government orders, machines were allowed to be sold to civilian companies. The armored vehicle was used for the transportation of explosives, money and valuable goods. After receiving permission in 2005, some cars were sold to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Production of the "Vystrel" is ongoing at the JSC "Remdizel" plant in Naberezhnye Chelny, where the armoured body and KAMAZ 4326 truck chassis are integrated. In 2015 several BPM-97 were used in War in Donbas where at least 3 of them were destroyed in February 2015. The BPM-97 has seen service during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As of 2024, two have been destroyed and three captured. ==Description==

The hull is made of welded steel. The upper part of the vehicle's armored body withstands hits from a 12.7×108mm - NSV machine gun at a distance of 300 metres. The lower part protects against 7.62×54mmR SVD rifles at a distance of 30 m. The vehicle is divided into the engine compartment and separate crew areas. The body has side and rear doors, and roof hatches for exiting. The base vehicle is the KAMAZ 4326 4×4 truck. ==Armament==

Armament varies. The BPM-97 is available with a pintle mounted or turret mounted 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm machine guns such as the Kord 12.7mm, 14.5 mm KPV heavy machine guns as in a BTR-80 type turret, or a BPPU turret mounting a 30 mm 2A42 autocannon and 7.62 mm PKTM coaxial machine gun. More recently, some BPM-97s have been seen mounted with the new BM-30-D Spitsa (Spoke) turret. This new turret now includes a 30 mm AG-30 automatic grenade launcher in addition to the 2A42 autocannon and coax PKTM. ==Variants==

• BPM-97 – Modification for the border troops. • KAMAZ-43269 "Dozor" – BRM modification for the Army. • KAMAZ-43269 "Vystrel" (The Shot) – upgraded with a modified armored windshield wipers, transferred air intake and an air purification system, introduced during the 2011 exhibition of military vehicles at the Bronnitsy test range. ==Versions==

In 2008, KamAZ planned to create a similar three-and four-axle vehicle designed for 13 and 18 men, respectively. In 2009, vif2ne.ru published photographs of 3 and 4-axle armored vehicles similar to the "Shot" design. Later, photographs appeared of a triaxial armored car, presumably called "Item 69501". In 2010, the JSC "Krasnodar Instrument Factory Cascade" announced the "15M107" machine based upon the KAMAZ-43269 "The Shot". It is intended for remote search and the clearance of minefields, having in its composition electronic administration circuits. JSC Zashchita (Protection) Company produces the SBA-60K2 "Bulat", an enlarged 6×6 version of the BPM-97, based on components of the KAMAZ 6×6. ==Operators==

Current operators • • • • • : Captured BPM-97s have been in service with the Ukrainian army since October 2022. Of the three captured vehicles, two of them appear in photos where they have been repainted with Ukrainian markings. ==Gallery==

File:BPM-97.jpg|BPM-97 File:BPM-97 - InnovationDay2013part1-34.jpg|BPM-97 at Innovation Day 2013 File:KAMAZ-43269 Vistrel (108-26).jpg|Driver's position File:KAMAZ-43269 Vistrel (108-28).jpg|Driver's dashboard File:Upgraded KAMAZ-43269 Vistrel 1.jpg|Upgraded KAMAZ-43269 Vistrel File:Upgraded KAMAZ-43269 Vistrel 3.jpg|Upgraded KAMAZ-43269 Vistrel File:Upgraded KAMAZ-43269 Vistrel 4.jpg|Upgraded KAMAZ-43269 Vistrel File:Russian BPM-97 in 2010.jpg|Russian BPM-97 in 2010 ==See also==