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Upgraded BMP-2M infantry fighting vehicles that will take part in the upcoming drills of three countries on the border with Afghanistan arrived for Russia’s military base in Tajikistan, the press office of the Central Military District reported on Tuesday, TASS news agency reported. 

"A batch of 17 upgraded BMP-2M infantry fighting vehicles has arrived for the 201st Russian military base stationed in Tajikistan. The new combat vehicles will replace the outdated hardware of motor rifle units," the press office said in a statement.

The BMP-2Ms will be engaged in the joint drills of Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan that will run at the Kharb-Maidon training ground 20 km from the Afghan border on August 5-10. The drills will involve 2,500 troops, including 1,800 personnel from Russia, and also about 500 items of armament and military hardware. The Russian military contingent in the drills will mostly comprise units of Russia’s 201st military base in Tajikistan, the source said. 

It is noted that the military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia’s largest military facility outside its borders. The military base stationed in the cities of Dushanbe and Bokhtar comprises motor rifle, armored, artillery and reconnaissance units, air defense forces, radiation, chemical and biological protection and signal troops.