Slovakia resumes BMP-1 hull production after 36 years. The secret customer may be Ukraine

Slovak company STV Machinery has restarted production of the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle's hull after a three-decade hiatus. This development comes after signing a contract with an unidentified foreign customer in late 2025, with serial production of the updated designs set for 2026-2027. The Slovak outlet Future Army reported on the news, citing STV Group's director of special projects, Pavel Beran.

Beran clarified that one prototype is currently being used for testing the final assembly and integration of weapons systems, while the second hull is undergoing physical and stress tests. The company is deliberately not disclosing the customer's identity due to security and business-ethics concerns.

Ukraine has a considerable need for armored vehicles, as its forces currently utilize and modernize the BMP-1. Cooperation with Western manufacturers could expedite the fleet replenishment process. In 2024, for instance, Ukraine and Germany's Rheinmetall agreed to collaborate on producing the Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and strengthening defense cooperation.

The Slovak plant has returned to BMP-1 production, with the prototypes being largely similar to the Soviet design but revised to meet modern requirements. These revisions include compliance with NATO standards for ergonomics and materials, along with the use of more advanced materials for armor reinforcement. STV Machinery will handle the production of hulls and other components, with its Czech sister company, STV Group, responsible for full assembly and testing.

While the exact size of the order remains undisclosed, earlier reports hinted at a potential production capacity of up to 100 hulls per year. The company has not named the customer, though Defense Express suggested as early as December 2025 that it could be Ukraine. One plausible scenario mentioned by the outlet involves the supply of hulls or turretless vehicles, which could be fitted with various combat modules.

The BMP-1, even in its modernized form, retains the fundamental limitations of its 1960s design, particularly concerning protection levels. Hence, Ukraine's potential order may primarily serve as a means to rapidly increase the country's armored vehicle fleet rather than marking a long-term replacement for modern Western IFVs. The exact nature of the customer remains speculative, with the possibility of other countries that have operated or are operating BMP-1s being entertained.