The BMP-1A1 Ost Variant Sent to Ukraine by Greece

BMP-1A1 Ost is a modified version of Russia's BMP-1. Greek military aid package to Ukraine includes BMP-1A1 Ost.

A little video update on weapons sent to Ukraine. So, Greece has announced a really big weapons package. It consists of 122 BMP-1s with ammunition for their machine guns.

15,000 73 mm missiles
2,100 122 mm rockets
20,0000 AK-47s
3,200,000, 7.62 mm cartridges
60 Stinger MANPPADS
17,000 155mm artillery rounds
1,100 RPG-18 rockets.

These were sent to Ukraine on 6 Greek, 10 Canadian and 5 New Zealand C-130 aircraft. These are apparently in the country already—or part of the package. The press release says Ukraine has “exterminated hundreds of Russians with Greek weapons, especially the 155mm rounds and 122mm rockets.”

So, let’s take a closer look at the BMP-1 variant which Ukraine will be receiving. Greece bought 350 units of the BMP-1A1 Ost variant from Germany.

A small bit of background. So, East Germany had a fleet of over 1,000 BMPs which were inherited during reunification. Which is why Germany had BMPs and other Soviet vehicles not typically seen in Western Countries. The BMP-1 was found to not meet many of the standards expected.

Especially in terms of health and safety. The fuel tanks especially were considered to be a hazard. Firing the 73mm ammunition released potentially toxic nitroglycerin while firing the 7.62 mm PKT could potentially release mercury.

There was also asbestos in the brake bands, clutch lining and the gaskets. In short, they were quite hazardous to the health of the crew.

A number of BMP-1s were upgraded to the BMP-1A1 Ost standard.

Some of the upgrades included
1 – repl;acing the headlights so they were the same as the Marder 1A3.
A pair of ring mirrors
Rear lights added to ease convoy driving
A ladder to ease climbing or descending with the vehicle.

Safety wise, the asbestos was removed.. Which I’m sure the crews were pleased about.
The 5th gearbox was found to be restricted—reducing the top speed to 40 km/h his restriction was removed.
The clutch was modified so it was smoother.
A heater was added so the crew were comfortale in winter.
The dangerous fuel tanks located in the rear doors were completely removed.

Anti-slip coating was also added on the exterior.

Combat-wise, the BMP-1A1 had modifications which made it inferior to the standard BMP-1s. The autoloading mechanism was removed. As was the missile launcher and guidance equipment.

It was also found that firing from the firing points had little use, so the Soviet doctrine of mounted combat was abandoned.

When the Ost was removed from service, a number were exported to Greece—I see figures of 350 or 500, depending on the source. Greece modified some to use an M2 Browning gun—called the BMP-1A1GR1 variant.

Additional modifications were carried out on 44 vehicles, replacing the turrett with a ZU-23 AA gun. The remaining 140 were to be withdrawn. It is likely from this batch that the 122 been sent to Ukraine come from.

So, that’s the BMP Ost. An attempt at making a dated piece of soviet kit compatible with western standards. Combat wise, it hasn’t been improved. But it is safer—at least there isn’t any asbestos in them.

Despite their age and shortcomings—the BMP 1 will still have its uses. Though we have seen a lot destroyed in the war. They still provide decent levels of protection from small arms fire and the gun can put down a decent amount of firepower of its own. Plus, Ukraine has long operated the BMP-1 so no training will be required. Plus, again—no asbestos.

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