IFV

IFV
Name	Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Type	Armored fighting vehicle
Origin	Multiple countries
In service	Cold War–present
Crew	3–4
Passengers	6–9 infantry
Armour	Composite, spaced, reactive
Primary armament	Autocannon, autocannon-ATGMs
Secondary armament	Coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade launchers
Engine	Diesel, multifuel, gas turbine
Speed	50–75 km/h
Vehicle range	300–700 km

IFV

An infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) is a tracked or wheeled armored fighting vehicle designed to transport and support dismounted infantry in combined-arms operations. IFVs evolved from post-World War II mechanized concepts and integrate firepower, armor, and mobility to accompany tanks and mechanized formations in armored, urban, and expeditionary campaigns. Prominent programs, manufacturers, and conflicts shaped IFV doctrine, procurement, and design across Europe, North America, Asia, and the former Soviet Union.

Development and History

The IFV concept emerged after World War II alongside developments in armored doctrine during the Cold War, influenced by lessons from the Battle of Kursk, Yom Kippur War, and counterinsurgency operations in Vietnam War. Early vehicles such as prototypes from Germany and production models from Soviet Union reflected divergent approaches epitomized by vehicles like the BMP-1 and the Marder IFV developed by Nazi Germany’s successor states and postwar German industry. Western responses included work by United Kingdom firms and American studies that led to designs like the M2 Bradley, influenced by requirements set by NATO and lessons from the Arab–Israeli conflict. Cold War procurement by France, Italy, Sweden, and Poland produced distinct families such as the AMX-10P and CV90 series, while export and licensed production extended IFV presence to countries like India and Iran.

Post–Cold War conflicts including the Gulf War (1990–1991), Iraq War, and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) revealed vulnerabilities and drove upgrades in protection, sensors, and networking. Programs from United States Department of Defense initiatives, European collaborative projects such as those involving Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and BAE Systems, and Russian upgrades by Uralvagonzavod illustrate continual evolution responding to asymmetric threats and peer competition.

Design and Armament

IFV design balances troop capacity, firepower, and protection. Primary armament commonly features automatic cannons ranging from 20 mm to 40 mm developed by firms such as Oerlikon, GIAT (now Nexter), and Rheinmetall; autocannon integration often includes fire-control systems from Northrop Grumman and Thales Group. Secondary armament typically includes coaxial machine guns by FN Herstal or M1919 Browning-derived designs, and anti-tank guided missiles sourced from programs like MILAN, TOW, and Kornet. Turret architectures vary from manned turrets on vehicles like the BMP-2 to remote weapon stations produced by Rheinmetall and Elbit Systems, while sensor suites employ thermal imagers from FLIR Systems and laser rangefinders used by Lockheed Martin in western designs.

Interior ergonomics and dismount procedures reflect doctrine from institutions such as the United States Army and Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces). Payload provisions allow integration of electronic warfare modules, battlefield management systems by BAE Systems and Raytheon, and active protection systems from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Russia’s Arena program.

Protection and Survivability

Protection regimes combine passive armour, spaced and composite materials developed with research from Fraunhofer Society and national labs in United Kingdom and United States, with reactive armour from manufacturers like Group Saint-Gobain and Rostec. Add-on modular armour suites and appliqué packages reflect experiences from the Second Chechen War and Iraq insurgency where improvised explosive devices prompted upgrades. Active protection systems, exemplified by systems from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and KAMAZ-linked projects, counter anti-tank guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades encountered in conflicts involving Hezbollah and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Vehicle signature management, NBC protection suites developed in collaboration with national agencies, and troop survivability measures—blast-resistant seats and V-shaped hulls seen in derivatives influenced by designs from South Africa—further reduce casualties in mine and IED-threat environments.

Mobility and Propulsion

IFV mobility combines tracked and wheeled architectures tailored to terrain and strategic mobility. Tracked platforms from manufacturers such as General Dynamics Land Systems and Uralvagonzavod emphasize off-road performance used by forces like the Russian Ground Forces and People's Liberation Army Ground Force (China), while wheeled models from Patria and Iveco serve rapid-reaction units in NATO and gendarmerie roles. Engines include diesel powerplants supplied by MTU Friedrichshafen and Perkins Engines, and gas turbines in some high-power designs influenced by General Electric technology. Suspension systems, amphibious capabilities, and fording equipment reflect operational requirements from maritime littoral operations near Persian Gulf and riverine environments like the Danube.

Variants and Role Types

IFV families produce numerous variants: command posts integrated by Thales Group systems, ambulance conversions used by Red Cross operations under Geneva Conventions, engineer and recovery versions produced by Oshkosh Corporation partnerships, and specialized anti-aircraft or anti-tank variants fielded by armies including India and Turkey. Modular chassis allow export-oriented customization by firms such as Nexter Systems and BAE Systems, spawning reconnaissance, mortar carrier, and air defence derivatives deployed in peacekeeping missions by United Nations contingents.

Operational Use and Doctrine

Doctrine for IFV employment varies across services and campaigns, reflecting tactical concepts from the Soviet Deep Battle to AirLand Battle and contemporary multi-domain operations advocated by the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff. Concepts emphasize combined-arms integration with main battle tanks in maneuvers like rapid breakthroughs and urban combat in theaters such as Gaza Strip and Donbas. Training institutions including Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and United States Army War College influence doctrine dissemination alongside lessons codified after operations in Kosovo and counterinsurgency campaigns in Iraq.

International Operators and Production

IFVs are produced and operated worldwide by states such as Russia, United States, Germany, China, France, United Kingdom, India, Israel, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Turkey, and Japan. Production involves large defence contractors like General Dynamics, BAE Systems, Rheinmetall, Nexter, and state-owned enterprises including Uralvagonzavod and China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO). Exports and licensed manufacturing have placed IFV variants in the inventories of nations across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, affecting regional balances in conflicts from the Yemeni Civil War to border disputes in Kashmir.

Category:Armoured fighting vehicles