BTR-T

BTR-T
Type Heavy infantry fighting vehicle
Place of origin  Russia
Specifications
Weight 38.5 tonnes
Length 6.45 m
Width 3.27 m
Height 2.4 m
Crew 2 (+5 passengers)
Armor 320 mm max with ERA
Main
armament
 9M113 Konkurs ATGMs
Secondary
armament
 2A42 30mm autocannon or AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher
Engine diesel
520hp
Power/weight 14hp/tonne
Suspension torsion bar
Operational
range
 500 km
Speed 50 km/h off-road: 25 km/h

The BTR-T (Russian: Бронетранспортёр-Тяжелый (Bronetransporter-Tyazhelyy), ‘Armoured Transporter–Heavy’) is a Russian heavy infantry combat vehicle, designed by the Design Bureau of Transport Machine-Building (Omsk Transmash) state-run production association.

Description

Russian BTR-T

It is based on the hull of the T-55 tank and answers the need for a heavy, well protected and well armed vehicle adapted to urban combat. The need for a heavy IFV appeared after the First Chechen War during which APCs like the BTR-80 and BMP-2 were annihilated in urban areas at the hands of Chechen rebels using RPG shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons. Consequently, the design incorporates thicker armour, with built-in reactive armour. It also has heavier armament with sufficient elevation to engage targets in multi-story buildings.

Design

The choice of the T-55 hull rather than that of a more modern tank was decided as a cost-cutting measure and also probably in order to validate a conversion solution for the many T-55s in use around the world. It was influenced by Israel's IDF Achzarit that created virtually the same modifications in the 80s. However, no export contracts have been signed so far.

Armament

The turret can accommodate several weapon configurations:

See also

References

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