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Russia Strips Missile Launchers Off Old Tanks to Build “New” APCs
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia appears to be repurposing its long-stored 9P149 Shturm-S anti-tank missile carriers into armored personnel carriers (APCs), according to independent defense observer Jompy, who shared satellite imagery of the Muromteplovoz factory on X.
The imagery reportedly shows renewed activity at the plant for the first time in years, with movement of multiple tracked chassis—mostly variants of the MT-LB, which serves as the base for the Shturm-S system.
Something interesting wrt stored MT-LBs. Muromteplovoz Zavod, the factory in charge of refurbing these armored vehicles, has finally seen some movement at its yards after many years pic.twitter.com/px1qZa9dba
— Jompy (@Jonpy99) October 12, 2025
According to Jompy, the Russian military likely intends to reuse these vehicles not as anti-tank platforms but as makeshift troop carriers. Such conversions have previously involved removing the missile launcher and top cover of the crew compartment to create additional interior space.
The Muromteplovoz factory, located in Russia’s Vladimir region, has long stored hundreds of Soviet-era MT-LB chassis. Analysts note that Moscow’s reliance on these outdated platforms underscores its growing shortage of standard armored vehicles after heavy battlefield losses in Ukraine.
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According to the open-source intelligence project Oryx, Russia has lost at least 1,119 MT-LB vehicles since the start of the full-scale invasion, with an additional 78 abandoned and 147 captured by Ukrainian forces. The number includes 241 vehicles in upgraded MT-LBVM and MT-LBVMK configurations.
Earlier, Frontelligence Insight revealed that Russia’s Uralvagonzavod plant is preparing to produce and modernize over 1,100 T‑90M2 “Ryvok‑1” tanks between 2027 and 2029, according to leaked procurement documents.
The plans, covering the period through 2036, indicate Moscow’s intent to sustain large‑scale armor production despite heavy battlefield losses and Western sanctions.
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