BTR-4

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BTR-4
BTR-4E in Kyiv.jpg
BTR-4E
TypeArmoured personnel carrier
Place of originUkraine
Service history
In service2014-present
Used byIraq
Ukraine
Indonesia
Nigeria
Myanmar
WarsBoko Haram insurgency[citation needed]
International military intervention against ISIL[1]
War in Donbas
Production history
DesignerKharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau
ManufacturerKharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau
Specifications
Mass17.5+3% T (with anti-bullet protection)
25+3% T (with additional protection)
Length7.76 m
Width2.93 m
Height3.02 m
Crew3
ArmorWelded steel
Engine3TD diesel engine or DEUTZ EURO III
489 hp or 598
Power/weight28.6 hp/t (with anti-bullet protection)
20 hp/t (with additional protection)
Suspensionwheeled 8×8
Operational
range
at least 690 km
Maximum speed 110 km/h (road)
10 km/h (in water)

The BTR-4 "Bucephalus" (Ukrainian: БТР-4 «Буцефал», romanized: Butsefal, abbreviation of Бронетранспортер, Bronetransporter, 'armoured transporter') is an amphibious 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) designed in Ukraine by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau (SOE KMDB).

They have seen action in both the war in Donbas, and the capture of Jurf Al Nasr from ISIL.

History[]

The prototype, which was designed as a private venture, was unveiled at the Aviasvit 2006 exhibition held in Kyiv in June 2006.[2][3]

A serial production started in late 2008, first series of ten BTR entered service in the army of Ukraine in 2009.[4]

In 2009, BTR-4 has been presented to the tender for the next infantry combat vehicle for the Spain Ground Forces, to replace the Pegaso BMR.[5]

Description[]

BTR-4MV1

The layout of the BTR-4 represents a change compared to the older BTR-60/70/80 designed in the Soviet Union. The vehicle has a conventional layout similar to western designs like the German TPz Fuchs with the driver's and commander's compartment at the front part of the hull, the engine and transmission compartment in the middle, and the troop compartment at the rear. The troops enter and leave the vehicle either through the rear doors or the roof hatches, and the driver and the commander are provided with doors located on the sides of the hull.

The BTR-4 is a more flexible design than the older BTR-60/70/80s as the changed layout makes it easier to adapt the vehicle to specialized roles. The vehicle can be armed according to customer requirements. The prototype is armed with the locally designed New Armament Module which is armed with one 30mm automatic cannon, 7.62mm coaxial machine-gun, up to four 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer anti-tank missiles (two on each side of the turret), and one 30mm automatic grenade launcher (fitted in place of the AT missiles on one left-hand side of the turret). It can also be fitted with different turret weapons modules: the GROM module, SHKVAL module, and the BAU 23x2 module.

The BTR-4 has a maximum speed of 110 km/h and can cross water obstacles at a speed of 10 km/h. The vehicle is powered by a 3TD diesel engine with 500 hp. It was reported to being hit by several rpg rounds and multiple small-arms fire with no consequences.[citation needed] Slat armor can be fitted for maximum protection against RPG attacks.

Ukrainian state defence manufacturer UkrOboronProm has taken the opportunity at the Arms and Security exhibition being held from 10 to 13 October to unveil a prototype wheeled armoured fighting vehicle that is presently known as the BTR-4MV1. The new BTR-4MV1 is the latest generation of 8×8 APCThe BTR-4MV1 is designed in accordance with NATO standards. The vehicle is based on the BTR-4 but with many new improvements. It differs from the previous versions mostly in a modified configuration of the vehicle's hull, which makes it possible to install additional types of protection (including the ceramic plates and explosive reactive armour) to reach the fourth and fifth protection levels in accordance with the NATO standards. Apart from that, the hull rear is fitted with a ramp that not only enables troopers to enter and leave the vehicle much quicker, but also enables the armoured personnel carrier to transport various large-size cargoes, including additional ammunition, spare parts, etc.[citation needed]

Service history[]

Up to 500 vehicles produced for all operators[citation needed].

BTR-4 assigned to 1st Battalion, 92nd Mechanized Brigade, Ukrainian Armed Forces
Indonesia

During early trials and evaluation by the Indonesian Marine Corps, the BTR-4 has successfully passed the trials in Indonesia.[6][7] On April 2017, it was reported that the Indonesian Marine Corps had prepared a formal letter to withdraw from any further acquisitions of the BTR-4,[8] though according to Ukroboronprom the news are part of informational warfare and black PR.[9]

Iraq

Iraq has ordered 450 BTR-4s. 40 vehicles of the third batch delivered arrived with rust and damaged hulls and were not accepted by Iraq.[10][11][12][13][14][15]

Nigeria

The BTR-4 was delivered for Nigerian Army in 2014.[citation needed]

Ukraine

Some BTR-4s that being used by Ukrainian armed forces in the ATO operations come from the rejected batch for the Iraqi army.[16][17][18][19][20]

Combat use[]

Iraq

The Iraqi army used BTR-4s in an operation to recapture Jurf Al Sakhar from ISIL forces on October 24, 2014, successfully repelling two road-side ambushes.[21]

Ukraine

On 4 June 2014, company officials revealed that the BTR-4E was being used in military operations in the Sloviansk area. Its armor had withstood hits from large-caliber machine guns, counter-HEAT side screens protected the crew from anti-tank grenade launchers, and armored glass sustained direct hits from sniper rifles.[22] Their original desert camo as seen on Iraqi BTR-4s can be viewed in pictures and videos from ATO operations.[23] Two Ukrainian BTR-4 were captured by the pro-Russian separatists in repairable state.[citation needed]

Versions[]

BTR-4 is available in multiple different configurations.

BTR-4 with Grom module
Retrieving And Medical Vehicle BSEM-4K
Repair and Recovery Vehicle BREM-4K
  • BRM-4K reconnaissance vehicle,
  • BTR-4K command vehicle,
  • BTR-4KSh command and staff vehicle,
  • BTR-4E1[24]
  • BTR-4MV1 upgraded to NATO standard with increased protection.
  • MOP-4K fire support vehicle,
  • BREM-4K repair and recovery vehicle, and the
  • BSEM-4K recovery and medical vehicle.
  • BMM-4A - Apparently similar in role to the BMM-1 (BTR-80 family) [first-aid and battlefield evacuation vehicle]
  • BMM-4B - Apparently similar in role to the BMM-2 (BTR-80 family) [battalion level initial medical treatment vehicle]
  • BMM-4C - Apparently similar in role to the BMM-3 (BTR-80 family) [field hospital]

Weapons modules[]

Standard module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3x crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8x soldiers (7x soldiers in up-armored version)
  • Armament:
    • 1x 30 mm automatic cannon
    • 1x 7.62 mm coaxial machinegun
    • 4x 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer AT missiles (optional 1x 30 mm automatic grenade launcher with reduction to 2x AT missiles)

GROM module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3x crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8x soldiers
  • Armament:
    • 1x 30 mm automatic cannon
    • 1x 30 mm automatic grenade launcher
    • 1x 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
    • 4x 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer AT missiles

SHKVAL module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3x crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8x soldiers
  • Armament:
    • 1x 30 mm automatic cannon
    • 1x 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
    • 4x 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer AT missiles (optional 1x 30 mm automatic grenade launcher with reduction to 2x AT missiles)

BAU 23x2 module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3x crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8x soldiers
  • Armament:
    • 2x 23x152 mm automatic cannons
    • 1x 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun

BTR-4KSh command and staff vehicle:

  • Passengers:
    • 2x crew (driver, vehicle commander)
    • 5x staff (commander, four officers)
  • Armament:
    • 1x TKB-01-1 12.7 mm machine gun

MOP-4K fire support vehicle:

  • Passengers:
    • 4x crew (driver, commander, gunner, loader)
  • Armament:
    • 1x 120 mm cannon
    • 1x 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun (turret ring mount)

Operators[]

BTR-4 operators map

Current operators[]

  •  Indonesia
The Indonesian Marine Corps ordered 5 BTR-4M with two vehicles with the BM-7 "Parus" turret with a 30-mm ZTM-1 automatic gun and 3 with 7.62 mm RCWS and began operating them in May 2017.[25] Subsequent orders for 55 vehicles were cancelled due to unsatisfactory performance[citation needed] and in April 2019, an order was made for 21 BT-3F and 22 BMP-3F vehicles instead.[26]
  •  Iraq
The Iraqi Ministry of Defence ordered 420 vehicles in 2012.[27] Only 88 out of an order for 420 were delivered by late 2013 and the contract has been canceled due to numerous quality violations. According to Ukraine contract was resumed and as of September 2018 Iraq operates 270 vehicles.
  •  Nigeria
5 BTR-4 for the Nigerian Police.[28]
  •  Ukraine
  • Armed Forces of Ukraine — Ukraine's Ministry of Defence made an initial order of 10 vehicles that entered service in 2009.[29] In August 2014 two BMM-4S were ordered, they will be delivered in October 2014.[30] Around 170 vehicles in service as of August 2018. 12 more vehicles were delivered to the army in October–November 2018.[31] 200+ in service as of January 2021.
  • Ministry of Internal Affairs — since 25th of March 2014, 10 vehicles were transferred to the recently reconstituted National Guard of Ukraine. There were 40 vehicles delivered to NGU until July 2014.[32]
  •  Myanmar - In March 2019,A Ukrainian company and the Myanmar military have signed a joint-venture agreement to build a plant capable of manufacturing armored personnel carriers (APCs) and self-propelled howitzers.The types of APCs that will be made in the plant are said to be eight-wheeled BTR-4E.[33]

Potential operators[]

  •  Republic of North Macedonia
The tender for the Republic of North Macedonia Ground Forces is for an infantry wheeled vehicle, who is destinated for replacing the current BTR-60 and BTR-70 flotilla. The estimated order can reach 200 units.[34]
  •  Thailand
The Royal Thai Marine Corps reportedly showed interest in the BTR-4MV1 in October 2018.[35]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-03-11. Retrieved 2018-03-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "BTR-4 wheeled armoured personnel carrier vehicle Ukrainian Army Ukraine description pictures technic | Ukraine Ukrainian army wheeled armoured vehicle | Ukrainian Ukraine army military equipment UK". Archived from the original on 2018-10-09.
  3. ^ "BTR-4 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier - Ukraine". Archived from the original on 2018-10-09.
  4. ^ Informacje in: "Raport - Wojsko Technika Obronność" Nr. 12/2008, p. 69 (pl icon)
  5. ^ Infodefensa.com (2009-10-04). "Ucrania oferta el BTR-4 como candidato al VBR 8x8 español - Noticias Infodefensa España". Infodefensa.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2017-09-21. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  6. ^ "Ukrainian BTR-4M Successfully Passed Trials In Indonesia". www.defense-aerospace.com. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  7. ^ Review, Asian Military (2017-05-26). "Indonesian Marines has started using Ukrainian BTR-4M". Asian Military Review. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  8. ^ Indonesian Marine Corps prepares to pull plug on further BTR-4 acquisitions Archived 2017-09-27 at the Wayback Machine - Janes.com, 07 April 2017
  9. ^ "Відмова Індонезії від українських БТР-4 – черговий фейк інформаційної війни". Ukroboronprom. 2017-04-11. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  10. ^ "Iraq Accuses Ukraine of Selling Inferior Armored Vehicles / Sputnik international". Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  11. ^ "Iraqi BTR-4 shipment heads back to Ukraine". Pakistan Defence. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  12. ^ "Iraq; Ukrainian BTR-4 shipment is rejected". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
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  21. ^ Al Salami, Jassem. "Led by an Armored Bulldozer, Shia Militia Fought to Restore Their Credibility". War is Boring. Medium.com. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  22. ^ Ukrainian BTR-4 8x8 armoured personnel carrier used during anti-terrorist operation in Sloviansk Archived 2015-01-14 at the Wayback Machine - Armyrecognition.com, 5 June 2014
  23. ^ "Ukraine National Guard to receive BTR-4s". Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  24. ^ Kharkiv Machine Design Bureau designed new version of BTR-4 with additional protection Archived 2014-03-13 at the Wayback Machine. Military panorama. March 12, 2014.
  25. ^ SpetsTechnoExport of Ukraine awarded contract to supply 5 BTR-4 8x8 armoured to Indonesia Archived 2016-05-13 at the Wayback Machine - Armyrecognition.com, 24 January 2014.
  26. ^ "Indonesia buys BT-3F and BMP-3F armored vehicles from Russia". Archived from the original on 2019-04-25. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  27. ^ "Ukraine, Iraq in $2.5 Bn Weapons Deal". Defenseindustrydaily.com. 2012-10-10. Archived from the original on 2014-07-07. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
  28. ^ Guy Martin. "Recent Nigerian military acquisitions". Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  29. ^ "Лента новостей : ALL.BIZ: Украина". Ua.all-biz.info. Archived from the original on 2013-01-08. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
  30. ^ «Укроборонпром» до октября передаст военным первые бронированные «скорые» на базе БТР-4Е Archived 2015-06-10 at the Wayback Machine // "УНИАН" от 15 августа 2014
  31. ^ Ukrainian Army gets first BTR-4 APCs made of new Ukrainian armored steel (Photo) Archived 2018-10-30 at the Wayback Machine, UNIAN (30 October 2018)
  32. ^ "Ранее государство закупило для нужд Нацгвардии 40 новейших БТР-4 в Харькове"
    Нацгвардия получила пять новых БТР-3Е Киевского бронетанкового завода - СМИ Archived 2014-10-11 at the Wayback Machine // "УНИАН" от 25 июня 2014
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  35. ^ Grevatt, Jon (12 October 2018). "Thailand interested in new BTR-4 variant, says Ukrainian agency". IHS Jane's 360. Bangkok. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.

External links[]

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