BTR-3

Infobox Weapon
name= BTR-3U


caption= Ukrainian BTR-3U in desert camo.
origin= Ukraine
type= Armored personnel carrier
is_vehicle=yes
service= Ukrainian Ground Forces
used_by=
wars=
designer=
design_date= 2000
manufacturer=Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau
unit_cost=
production_date= 2001
number=
variants= See below
weight= 16.4 tonnes
length= 7.65m
part_length=
width= 2.9m
height= 2.8m (including turret)
diameter=
crew= 3 crew (+6 passengers)
armor= Classified
primary_armament= 30 mm caliber
secondary_armament= 7.62 mm
engine= Deutz AG
engine_power= 326 hp
transmission=
payload_capacity=
fuel_capacity=
pw_ratio=
suspension=wheeled 8×8
clearance=
vehicle_range= 600km
speed= 85 km/h
guidance=

The BTR-3 is an 8×8-wheeled armoured personnel carrier manufactured by KMDB in Ukraine. The most significant of exports was to the Myanmar Army which acquired 1000 BTR-3Us, to be assembled in Myanmar. Iraq has also announced that they will buy 336 veriants of the vehicle. The BTR-3U is an all-new production vehicle, rather than an upgrade of the existing in-service vehicle, such as the BTR-80.

Design

The BTR-3U is fitted with the one-person KBA-105 "Shkval" unified fighting module which can accommodate 30mm gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 30mm automatic grenade launcher and anti-tank guided weapons. This module was developed by the State Scientific Technical Centre of Artillery & Rifle Arms of Ukraine. The Shkval fighting module design is very flexible, which makes it possible to easily replace an existing weapon with another one. The 30mm dual-feed cannon has 350 rounds of ready-use ammunition. A total of 2,500 rounds are carried for the 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The 30mm grenade launcher is mounted on the left side of the turret, having 29 rounds of ready-use ammunition, with additional 87 rounds being carried in reserve (three magazines, each containing 29 rounds). Six 81mm electrically operated smoke/aerosol grenade launchers are mounted three either side of the turret rear and firing forwards. The sighting systems include a commander’s 1PZ-3 observation periscope and a TKN-4S Agat stabilised sight which is integrated with the missile fire control system.

The troop compartment accommodates six soldiers who enter and leave the vehicle by a door in either side of the hull. The lower part of the door folds downward to form a step, with the upper part opening forwards. There are also hatches in the roof and firing ports with associated vision devices provided in the sides and front of the vehicle. An air conditioning system is fitted as standard to ensure crew comfort in hot conditions.

Equipment

The standard equipment of the BTR-3U also includes hydraulically amplified powered steering on the front four road wheels and a central tyre-pressure regulation system that allows the driver to adjust the tyre-pressure to suit the terrain being crossed. The BTR-3U is fitted with French Michelin tires.

The BTR-3U engine compartment consists of a Deutz BF6M1015 diesel developing 326 hp coupled to an Allison MD3066 fully-automatic transmission. The power pack and transmission are fitted by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau with the technical assistance of the Deutz AG and the Allison Transmission companies. The engine compartment is fitted with an automatic double-action fire extinguishing system.

The vehicle is fully amphibious, propelled when afloat by a single water jet mounted at the rear of the hull. To prepare the vehicle for water, the driver erects a trim vane and switches on the bilge pumps from within the vehicle.

Variants

* BTR-3U "Okhotnik" - initially known as BTR-94K. As described.
** Guardian - version for UAE Marines with "Buran-N1" turret.
* BTR-3E - propably with UTD-20 engine.
** BTR-3E1 - latest version with BM-3 "Shturm" turret and new engine.
** BTR-3E ARV - recovery vehicle with winch, crane and dozer blade.

Operators

* - 6 BTR-3/12.7 [ [http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=52414 List of military techniques Azerbaijan acquired over the past 7 years] ]
* - 3 BTR-3U ordered [http://disarmament.un.org/UN_REGISTER.nsf UNITED NATIONS - Office for Disarmament Affairs] ]
* - 336 BTR-3E1 ordered [ [http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2257b-for-iraqi-army-guns-vehicles-logistics-03945/ $2.257B for Iraqi Army Guns, Vehicles & Logistics] ]
* - 2 BTR-3E
* - 210 BTR-3U (1000 ordered) [http://www.amnesty-eu.org/static/documents/Final_Germany_Burma_China.rtf]
* - 30 BTR-3UN, 6 BTR-3UK, 4 BTR-3UR and 7 BTR-3E/14.5
* - 96 BTR-3E1 ordered
* - 90 Guardians
* - Expected to replace older variants in the coming years.

References

External links

* [http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/btr3u.php?menu=m1.php BTR-3U Armoured Personnel Carrier] at KMDB
* [http://disarmament.un.org/UN_REGISTER.nsf UN register of conventional arms]