GENERAL   EQUIPMENT   INC.                    

The BREM-1 armored repair and recovery vehicle was developed to support a fleet of T-72 main battle tanks and its derivatives. Officially it entered service with the Soviet Army in 1975. Other sources report that production commenced in 1984. Until 1990 a total of 342 BREM-1 armored recovery vehicle have been delivered. The BREM-1 has been exported to a number of countries alongside the T-72 MBT. In some cases it is used to support T-64 and T-80 series tanks, when the operator has no dedicated recovery vehicle.

   The main role of this vehicle is to recover damaged tanks and other armored vehicles from the battlefield. It tows damaged vehicles to the nearest shelter, assembly point, maintenance unit or repair depot. The BREM-1 can also recover stuck, swamped or overturned vehicles. Also it assists the crew in field repairs and servicing of armored vehicles. Typically this machine operates in frontline, where are no fixed repair and overhaul facilities.

   The BREM-1 is based on a modified T-72A main battle tank chassis. The turret has been removed and new superstructure fitted. It is fitted with a front-mounted dozer blade, crane, winch and other specialized equipment. This ARV is operated by a crew of three, including commander, driver and handler.

   The BREM-1 is fitted with a 4.4 m crane. It has a 19 t capacity at 2 m and 3 t capacity at 4.4 m. It is used to lift damaged or stuck vehicles. Also the crane can be used to lift vehicle for access and repair. It is worth noting that cranes of modern Western ARVs can lift much more. Vehicle can move over level ground with the 3 000 kg of load lifted. However suspension is locked automatically once the load exceeds 3 000 kg. In traveling order the crane folds along the hull.

   The main winch has 25 t capacity, that can be increased to 100 t using snatch blocks. The cable is 200 m long. It can be also used for self-recovery. There is also a 530 kg capacity auxiliary winch with 425 m of cable.

   This military vehicle also has rigid or non-rigid towing equipment for towing damaged, faulty or uncontrolled tanks. Over prolonged periods the BREM-1 can tow loads with a maximum weight of 50 t. When towing a tank the road range without refueling is reduced to 220 km. Average speed when towing a tank on earth road is 12 km/h.

   There is also a 3.1 m wide bulldozer blade. It is used for excavation, rubble clearing operations, covering up ditches. The dozer blade is used as an earth anchor during recovery operations. The BREM-1 can prepare a firing position for the tank in 12-20 minutes, depending on the soil type.

   Vehicle is fitted with welding equipment. Also it carries various tools for tank repair and servicing. There is a 1.7 m long and 1.4 m wide cargo platform. It can carry loads up to 1 500 kg. It is used for transportation of spare parts and materials necessary for repairs.

   It seems that hull of this ARV has the same level of protection as T-72 main battle tank. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. There is a 12.7-mm machine gun with 840 rounds of ammunition for self-defense.

   Vehicle is powered by a V-46 multi-fuel diesel engine, developing 780 hp. With preparation it fords water obstacles up to 5 m deep.

   Some countries, such as Poland and Slovakia developed and use their own ARVs on the T-72 tank chassis.