The BMD-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta , Russian "Боевая Машина Десанта", literally "Combat Vehicle of the Airborne") is a light infantry fighting vehicle originating in the Soviet Union that is fully amphibious and air-droppable with crew inside.

[1] Even before the start of the BMD-2's production, a new model of airborne infantry fighting vehicle was already envisaged by the Soviet military planners.

Two configurations were considered: one using the same armament as the future BMP-3, and another equipped with the BMP-2's turret.

If the vehicle is intended to be airdropped, its capacity falls to four dismounts.

A new parachute system was specifically designed for the BMD-3, in order to cope with its higher weight.