BRDM-2
The BRDM-2 is the basic variant of the family. It is designed to conduct long-range passive reconnaissance and more aggressive reconnaissance when accompanied by heavier armored vehicles.
BRDM-2M
The BRDM-2M is a modernised variant of the BRDM-2. It is equipped with improved systems over the original to ensure that the vehicle could perform in a modern battlespace.
BRDM-2L1
The BRDM-2L1 is a modernised BRDM-2 in service with Ukraine.
BRDM-3
The BRDM-3 carries the 9P137 Konkurs ATGM system, which fires the 9M113 missile series. It is designed to provide a tank-destroyer function for reconnaissance formations.
BRDM-2K
There is also a BRDM-2 (command), which retains the turret and is called the BRDM-2K (Kommandnyi). It is equipped with a collapsible telescopic antenna on the right side of the hull and has an additional whip antenna on the left side of the hull.
BRDM-2-RKhb
This is a radiobiological-chemical-biological reconnaissance vehicle, which is easily distinguishable from the basic vehicle by two rectangular racks, which contain lane-marking poles with pennants on either side of the hull at the rear.
BRDM-2U
INA
The BRDM-2U is a command vehicle with three separate variants, the service status of all three is uncertain.
BRDM-2ZS
The BRDM-2ZS (Zvukovetsatelnaya stantsiya) was equipped with loud speakers and used for Psyops or more often to influence a local population and inform them of impending attacks.
Model 96i
The Model 96i featured a new Iveco 165 hp diesel engine.
Model 97
The Model 97 was built on the work of the Model 96i. It includes a roof-mounted 9K111 series ATGM system, and the KPVT is replaced by a 12.7 mm NSTV weapon.
SA-9
The SA-9 is a short-range air defence (SHORAD) vehicle based around the Strela-1 missile system.
Cayman
The Cayman (also spelt Caiman or Kaiman) is a deep modernisation of the BRDM-2 developed and produced by the 140th Repair Plant under the guidance of the Military Industrial Committee of Belarus.
BRDM-2RKh
BRDM-2RKh (khimicheskaya razvedivatel’naya mashina) – radiological-chemical reconnaissance vehicle with two KZO-2 rectangular dispensers for emplacing warning poles and flags around contaminated areas. The pole/flag dispensers are located on the rear corners of the vehicle's hull. The dispensers are normally covered with canvas and when required are positioned vertically over the rear of the vehicle. The specialized equipment consist of an automatic gas detector GSA-12, a dosimeter DP-5V, a röntgenmeter DP-3B, decontamination apparatus DK-4K and semi-automatic detection devices PPKhR and VPKhR. The vehicle retains the original armament. The regimental chemical defence platoon and the divisional-level chemical defence company use it, as the does divisional reconnaissance battalion. It was also known under designations BRDM-2RKhA, BTR-40P-2RKh and BTR-40PB-RKh.