While attention is often focused on the successive deliveries of equipment received by the Russian Ground Forces — with particular emphasis on tanks, armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles — specialized support vehicles also play a key role. This is reflected in one of the most recent deliveries carried out by Uralvagonzavod, which confirmed the supply of new IMR-3M engineer vehicles.
Like its predecessor, the IMR-2 — which was based on the T-72 chassis — the more modern IMR-3 engineer vehicle likewise uses the T-90 tank platform. Its main role, as detailed by Rostec in one of its latest statements, is to “…clear routes through dense forested areas, rocky formations, and terrain covered in virgin snow. They are also capable of creating corridors through minefields, filling ditches, trenches, and craters, knocking down trees and uprooting stumps, clearing blocked exits of air-raid shelters, and carrying out many other tasks.”
For this purpose, the T-90 chassis was specially modified and adapted to carry a wide range of specialized equipment for combat engineer and sapper operations, including a universal hydraulically operated dozer blade and a telescopic arm fitted with a manipulator, grapple, bucket with front shovel, and backhoe.
However, as has increasingly been observed, Russian engineer vehicles have also had to adapt to the high-intensity conflict in which they are deployed in support of the Ground Forces. For this reason, electronic warfare equipment and additional drone protection have been added to the previously described systems. Unfortunately, Rostec did not specify which systems were included.
Although the number of units delivered in this early-year batch was not disclosed, it was noted that throughout 2025 the Russian Ground Forces received IMR-3M vehicles, and that further orders are in place for the current year, according to statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Finally, these deliveries also carry significant symbolic value, as Russia’s engineer troops are celebrating their 325th anniversary this year, tracing their origins back to the era of Peter the Great.
“Russia’s engineer troops are celebrating their 325th anniversary this year. Peter I already understood the importance of these units in achieving strategic success. Later, in the 19th century, they became established as an independent branch of the armed forces. During the Great Patriotic War, their role grew within the framework of major offensives. Today, the UVZ consortium, maintaining continuity, multiplies the glorious traditions of the engineering and design school, and supplies the Russian army not only with tanks and BMPTs, but also with special armored and engineering vehicles. We observe strong demand for our IMR-3M clearance vehicles among the troops,” stated Uralvagonzavod’s press service.
BMP-3M Armored Vehicle Deliveries in Late 2025
Prior to the delivery of the IMR-3M engineer vehicles, it should also be noted that in early December last year the Rostec consortium confirmed the supply of BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicles, which were equipped with “…complete sets of additional multi-component protection, as well as electronic warfare systems.”
“The infantry fighting vehicles produced by ‘High-Precision Complexes’ are the most widely deployed and in-demand equipment on the combat line of contact. Russian servicemen value this technology for its mobility, high firepower, and ease of operation even under the most difficult conditions. A coordinated modernization system has been developed, as a result of which BMPs receive options highly demanded by the troops,” said Bekhan Ozdoev, industrial director of the armaments cluster of the state corporation Rostec and member of the Bureau of the Union of Machine Builders of Russia.
Photographs: Rostec.
You may also be interested in: Uralvagonzavod resumed deliveries of new BMP-T Terminator combat vehicles to the Russian Ground Forces
