What’s old is new again, apparently.

The BMP-1 entered service with the Soviet Army in 1966. While newer models were introduced in the following decades, the BMP-1 has somehow withstood the test of time.

It’s gotten to the point where STV Machinery announced last Tuesday that it has signed a contract to develop armored hulls for the BMP-1 throughout 2026 and 2027. Of course, this lines up their rollout with the 60th anniversary of the original units.

Despite being older than the Super Bowl and its far more superior successors and competitors like the Bradley, the BMP-1 has remained popular for its affordable production cost and large stock. Both Ukraine and Russia have used the IFV in frontline action for these reasons, with the former still relying on them even with the shift to Western hardware. Some former Soviet states also continue to have them in their arsenal as well as countries like China and Afghanistan.

STV Group, a sister firm to STV Machinery under the STV Invest umbrella, placed orders for the BMP-1 in 2024 with the hope of building modernized versions of the IFV. STV’s BMP-1s are based on the BVP-1, a variant of the original vehicle, and is built using Western production methods and resources as opposed to the Soviet predecessor. Approximately 100 BMPs are expected to be made annually.

Production is at a factory in Dubnica nad Váhom, which made the BVP-1 from 1970 to 1989. The city was also a major engineering hub in the former Czechoslovakia.

“The start of production of complete combat vehicle hulls is a major milestone for us,” said STV CEO Mário Chudý. “With this new contract for serial production, we are entering a new phase. We are once again producing complete heavy combat equipment from the first part through to the final product. This step represents a strategic return to the roots of Dubnica’s engineering and arms production. At the same time, we are strengthening synergies within the STV Group and expanding our defense portfolio.”

While the aforementioned countries utilize the BMP-1, STV did not disclose their customers. Ukrainian military news site Defense Express speculated NATO members are unlikely to be among them, while Asian and African nations would want the entire vehicle rather than just the hull. Thus, DE surmised the Armed Forces of Ukraine is the “most likely customer” since they need “inexpensive infantry fighting vehicles”, their crews are already trained on them, and they have the necessary components to complete assembly. Of course, the AFU would certainly rather have newer equipment, so this could be just a case of a “fairly cheap, fast, and pass-produced option.”

Featured image credit: STV Machinery