The BMP has seen widespread combat service around the world since 1972. This Cuban BMP-1 was knocked out by UNITA troops during the fighting in Angola in 1988. The weapon system of the BMP-1 is poorly suited to combat in Africa where the main opponent is enemy infantry, not other armored vehicles. (UNITA) This BMP-1 of the Iranian Revolutionary Islamic Army was captured intact by Iraqi forces during the initial stage of the Gulf War in 1980. Due to officer purges of the former Shah's army, the Iranians were unable to keep their armored vehicles serviceable, and many were abandoned. The Shah's army had a curious mixture of American and Soviet equipment, the later obtained in barter for Iranian oil. They are finished in an overall pale sand color with Arabic numerals in white. (Leif Hellstrom) A detail view of the interior of the roof squad hatches. These hatches were lined with an anti-radiation shielding material on Soviet vehicles, but on export vehicles like this one, a simple fiberboard lining was substituted.
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