The BMP-1 is a fully armored Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV). Its low-silhouetted hull has a sharp, sloping front with a conspicuously ridged surface.

A centrally located, extremely flat, truncated cone turret mounts a 73-mm smoothbore gun and a 7.62-mm coaxial machine-gun. A launching rail for an AT-3 SAGGER antitank guided missile attaches above the gun. The 290-hp, water-cooled, 6-cylinder diesel engine is in the right front of the hull. The driver's hatch is at the left front, directly in front of the commander's hatch, which mounts an IR searchlight. The gunner's hatch is on the left side of the low turret roof. On the rear of the turret are four large hatches in the roof of the troop compartment; two large exit doors are also in the rear.

There are four firing ports in each side of the troop compartment and one in the left rear door. The suspension has six unevenly spaced stamped road wheels, with three track support rollers and a front drive sprocket. A combination of effective antitank firepower, high mobility, and adequate protection makes the BMP a formidable improvement over the earlier BTR-series of armored personnel carriers. It's 73-mm main gun fires a rocket-assisted, fin-stabilized HEAT projectile with an effective range of 800 to 1000 meters.

It also has an automatic loader. For longer range antitank capability, the BMP-1 carries the AT-3 SAGGER ATGM, effective to 3000 meters. The BMP is amphibious, propelled through the water by its tracks. It has the range and speed necessary to keep up with the fast-moving tanks it normally follows in offensive formations.

The BMP has a three-man crew. This includes the vehicle commander, who becomes the squad leader when the infantry passengers dismount through the rear exit doors. Vision blocks and firing ports in the sides and rear of the troop compartment allow the infantrymen to fire assault rifles (AKM or AK-47) and light machine-guns (PKM or RPK-74) from inside the vehicle on the move. The troops also carry the RPG-7V or RPG-16 antitank grenade launcher, which can be fired by a passenger standing in a rear hatch. BMP IFVs carry the SA-7/14/16/18 and AGS-17 weapon systems in the BMP-equipped MRB's air defense and automatic grenade launcher platoons.

When buttoned-up, the crew and passengers have NBC protection in the pressurized and filtered hull. This allows them to operate regardless of the outside environment. The BMP has an infrared searchlight, periscopes, and sights for night operations. It also has a capability to make its own smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust manifold.

BMP Model 1966 This was the original version of the BMP (also called BMP-A) which had a shorter bow than its successor, the BMP-1. This version did not have an NBC protection system.

BMP-1 (BMP Model 1976) This is the standard production model of the BMP-1.

BMP-1K This is the command variant of the BMP-1. This version differs from the BMP-1 mainly by having additional radio equipment and antennas and having the machine-gun ports welded shut. The troop compartment has been redesigned to accommodate field tables and map boards. It is used as a battalion-level command vehicle.

BMP-1P This is the BMP-1 with the replacement of the AT-3 SAGGER launch rail by a pintel-mounted AT-4 SPIGOT ATGM launcher on the turret roof. This version also has smoke grenade launchers fitted to the turret rear.

BMP-1PK This is the command variant of the BMP-1P.

BRM & BRM-1 (BMP-R or BMP M1976) This variant is used as a reconnaissance vehicle. It consists of the BMP-1 fitted with a larger, two-man turret, armed with a 73-mm gun. This vehicle does not have an ATGM. There are two small roof hatches, instead of the four rectangular ones as in the case of the BMP-1.

BRM-1K (BMP M1976/2) This reconnaissance variant consists of the BRM-1 with the addition of a PSNR-5K (TALL MIKE) Battlefield Surveillance Radar, which is mounted in the rear part of the turret. This radar is elevated above the turret roof when needed, and then lowered into the turret when not used. This vehicle also includes a DKRM-1 laser rangefinder, ARRS-1 location device, IMP mine detector and 1PN33B night binoculars. Navigation equipment carried includes TNA-1, IG11N gyro-compass and 1T25 survey device.

BMP KShM This unarmed command and communication vehicle mounts a large telescopic antenna and more radio equipment than the BMP-1K.

PRP-3 (BMP-SON) This artillery reconnaissance vehicle is used as an artillery fire adjustment and/or artillery/mortar locating vehicle. The front of the vehicle is identical to the BMP-1 but the vehicle has a new two-man turret that has two single-piece hatches which open forward. Both hatches have periscopes for observation plus a large optical device in front of the hatch. Armament consists of a 7.62-mm machine-gun which has replaced the 73-mm gun. Mounted on the rear of the turret is a SMALL FRED battlefield surveillance radar with a flat antenna that folds forward when not in use. To the rear of the turret on the left side is a further circular hatch cover and a telescoping antenna. This vehicle has a five-man crew and is fitted with extensive communications equipment and optical devices.

PRP-4 This vehicle is the successor to the PRP-3. It differs from its predecessor by the addition of an additional fairing on the right side of the turret.

IRM Amphibious Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle This vehicle was based on the chassis of the BMP-1. It mounts the engine and suspension of the BMP-1 in a new hull. It was designed to undertake a variety of specialized engineer reconnaissance roles including mine detection and river-bottom reconnaissance. For its mine detection role, the IRM has two devices mounted at the front of the vehicle which can be retracted flush with the hull when not in use. The IRM is fully amphibious, propelled in the water by two shrouded propellers at the rear of the vehicle. When submerged, a snorkel is erected on top of the hull; this is kept horizontal when not required.

BMP-PPO Mobile Training Center This vehicle is a BMP-1 with its turret removed and fitted with eight roof-mounted cupolas for trainees under instruction, plus seats for the vehicle commander and driver. Each trainee has TNPO-170 and one Type MK-4 observation devices mounted in the forward part of the cupola and an A-2 unit of the R-124 intercom set.

• OT-90 BMP-1 with turret replaced by the same turret as fitted to Czechoslovakian OT-64C (8 x 8) APC armed with 14.5-mm and 7.62-mm machine-guns.

• BVP-1 Czech manufactured BMP-1

• DP-90 Maintenance version of OT-90

• MP-31 Air defense command version of the BMP KShM command post version.

• MU-90 Mine-laying version of OT-90, no turret with space being covered with steel sheet.

• SVO Mine clearing version of BMP-1 with the turret removed and fitted with Hedgehog type launcher in rear troop compartment.

• VPV Crane equipped recovery version of the BMP-1. Turret and troop compartment roof hatches have been removed and a powered crane is mounted on the troop compartment roof.

• VP-90 Reconnaissance version of the OT-90 with OT-64 turret.