BTR-70 (BTR M1978) Russian 8x8 Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
BTR-70
Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Other
Basic Information
Name
BTR-70 (BTR M1978) Russian 8x8 Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Designation
BTR-70
Alternate Designation
—
Equipment Type
Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Manufacturer
Dedkov Design Bureau in Gorky-Arzamas
Date of Introduction
1972
Description
The BTR-70 is a Russian-made 8x8 armored vehicle personnel carrier which was shown for the first time to the public in November 1980 during a military parade in Moscow. The vehicle was originally developed during the late 1960s under the industrial designator GAZ-4905. The BTR-70 enters in service with the Russian army in August 1972. The BTR-70 was widely used during the Soviet war in Afghanistan and many smaller conflicts in Eastern Europe. After the Cold War these AFV saw service with the UN in the Balkans with high success.
Ground Specifications
Crew
2
Mobility Type
Wheeled (8x8)
Engine
V-8 Gasoline (120 hp)
Active Protection
None
Variants
BTR-70
The BTR-70 is the base variant of the family. It is an APC designed to traverse a fire zone with a section of infantry dismounts and provide them with limited fire support from the rear.
BTR-70MB
The BTR-70MB is an upgraded BTR-70 that is in service with an undisclosed country. It is essentially the same as the BTR-70 and designed to perform the same function.
BTR-70MB1
The BTR-70MB1 is based on the BTR-70MB with some modifications for Belarusian service, it is intended to replace older APCs such as the BTR-60PB and the BTR-70.
BTR-70V
This variant was also known as the BTR-70 M1986/1 and has a reworked troop compartment that can be used to transport two 30 mm AGS-17 AGLs or stretchers. It can carry a total of 10 infantrymen or eight infantrymen and two 30 mm ASG-17 AGLs.
BTR-70MS
This is a turretless communications vehicle with the MS standing for Mashina Svyazi (signals vehicle). Its status is uncertain.
BTR-70 KShM
This is a command/staff vehicle. The KShM stands for Komandno-Shtabnaya Mashina. It was originally fitted with the R-145BM communications system but it is unclear if this is retained in any vehicles that remain in service.
TAB-77
The TAB-77 is a license-manufactured version of the BTR-70 manufactured in Romania.
BTR-70Kh
This was developed by Russia for the then East German Army and was also referred to as the SPW-70Ch.
BTR-70MBP
This was the successor to the escort vehicle BTR-60MBP (Mashina Bojevogo Posta), and was also found in strategic missile units.
BTR-70D
The prototypes that used diesel fuel instead of gasoline were designated as the BTR-70D. This is also the
same designation given to the Ukrainian models with a 300 horsepower diesel engine.
BTR-70DI
The BTR-70DI is a Ukrainian BTR-70, but is powered by a Euro II 276 horsepower diesel engine.
BTR-70M
Some BTR-70s were modified by adding the rear hull of the BTR-80 to the vehicle and thus received
were designated as the BTR-70M. Adding to the confusing nomenclature, Ukrainian models with a UTD20 300 horsepower engine also received the same designation.
BREM
To create the BREM, the Russians removed the turret from the BTR-70 and add a front-mounted jib
crane in order to serve as an armored repair and recovery vehicle.
BTR-70 MBP
The BTR-70 MBP serves artillery units as a command and control vehicle.
BTR-70K
The BTR-70K is a modified version used by commanders.
BTR-70KShM
The BTR-70KShM variant carries improved communications and navigation equipment to serve as a command vehicle
BTR-70SM
The BTR-70SM is a Ukrainian variant without any armament used as a battlefield ambulance
BTR-70V
This variant features the BPU-1 turret system, the same system as found on the BTR-80, but without any
smoke grenade launchers.
System
Alternative Designations
BTR-70; MTR M1978
Type
Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Configuration
8x8
Manufacturer
Dedkov Design Bureau in Gorky-Arzamas
Crew
2 ea
Passengers
9 ea
Dimensions
Length
7.535 m
Width
2.8 m
Height
2.235 m
Wheelbase
4.4 m
Track
2.38 m
Weight
11,500 kg
Ground Clearance
0.475 m
Automotive
Engine Name
2 × ZMZ-4905
Engine Type
8 cylinders, petrol
Engine Power
120 hp per engine
Power-to-Weight Ratio
20.86 hp/t
Fuel Capacity
350 liters
Gearbox
Manual; Fwd: 4, Rev: 1
Electrical System
12 V
Transfer Box
2 speed
Steering
power assisted
Suspension
torsion bar with hydraulic shock-absorbers
Gradient
60%
Side Slope
40%
Vertical Obstacle
0.5 m
Trench
2 m
Turning Radius
6.3m
Communications
Radio
INA
Main Weapon System
Note
The BTR-70 armored personnel carrier is fitted with a complete one-man turret of the previous BTR-60PB
System
Name
1 × Turret-Mounted 14.5mm KPVT machine gun
Type
Heavy Machine Gun
Caliber
14.5 mm
Manufacturer
V.A. Degtyarev Plant
In Service
1949-Present
Length
1,980 mm
Barrel Length
1,346 mm
Width
162 mm
Height
225 mm
Weight
49 kg
Action
Short recoil operation
Rate of Fire
600 rpm
Effective firing range
3,000 m
Maximum firing range
4,000 m
Feed System
40-round belt
Sights
iron or optical
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
14.5 mm
Cartridge
14.5×114 mm
Muzzle Velocity
1,005 m/s
Armor Penetration
penetrates at 32 mm armored plate at a range of 500 m
Basic Load
500 ea
Coaxial Weapon System
System
Name
1 × turret-mounted 14.5mm KPVT machine gun
1 × coaxial-mounted 7.62mm PKVT machine gun
Type
General-Purpose Machine Gun
Caliber
7.62 mm
Manufacturer
Degtyaryov plant
In Service
1961-Present
Length
1,203 mm
Barrel Length
605 mm
Weight
9 kg
Action
Gas-operated, open bolt
Rate of Fire
650 rds/min
Effective Firing Range
1,000 m
Maximum Firing Range
3,800 m
Feed System
Non-disintegrating metal 50 round belts in 100 and 200/250 round ammunition boxes
Sights
Tangent iron sights (default);
Optical, Night-vision, Thermal and Radar sights
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
7.62 mm
Cartridge
7.62×54mmR
Muzzle velocity
825 m/s
Basic Load
2,000 ea
Protection
Armor (turret front)
The maximum thickness of the hull is believed to be 10 mm, and the thinnest sections are thought to be 6 mm. This is sufficient to protect against standard 7.62 mm rounds fired at the front of the vehicle from most ranges and against the same projectiles fired at the sides of the vehicle from a range of 100 m
Applique Armor
No
Explosive Reactive Armor
No
Active Protection System
No
Self-entrenching Blade
No
NBC Protection System
Yes
Smoke Equipment
6 x Smoke grenade launchers
Survivability Equipment
No
Central Tire Inflation System
Yes
Self-Recovery Winch
Yes, standard
Details
Country of Origin
Russia
Category
Land
Land
Filter Label
B
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
7.54 m
Width
2.8 m
Height
2.24 m
Weight
11500 kg
Operators (22)
Russia
Ukraine
Pakistan
Belarus
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Mali
Mexico
Mongolia
North Macedonia
Sierra Leone
Sudan
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Zambia
CFE Treaty
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