BRDM-2

   The BRDM-2 scout car was developed as a replacement for the previous BRDM-1. It was officially adopted by the Soviet army in 1962 with production commencing in 1963. Production ceased in 1989. Around 10 000 units including variants were built. Currently this amphibious scout car it is in service with Russian army and over 50 countries worldwide.

   Armor of the BRDM-2 provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm ball rounds and small caliber artillery fragments.

   The BRDM-2 uses a complete turret of the BTR-60PB armored personnel carrier. It is armed with a 14.5 mm heavy machine gun and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. The heavy machine gun penetrates 32 mm of steel armor at a range of 500 m.

   The BRDM-2 is powered by a GAZ-41 petrol engine, developing 140 horsepower. This scout car has an uncommon feature for vehicles of this class. When travelling off-road four powered belly wheels can be lowered to the ground between the road wheels, thus making it a 8x8 vehicle and increasing its cross-country mobility. Vehicle is also fitted with a central tyre inflation system, which can be adjusted to suit the terrain type being crossed. It improves mobility over sand, snow and mud. This scout car is also fitted with a self-recovery winch.

   The BRDM-2 is fully amphibious and is propelled on water by a single waterjet, mounted at the hull rear.

Variants

   BRDM-2 RKhB radiological and chemical reconnaissance vehicle.

   BRDM-2U command vehicle, which retains turret, but carries additional communication equipment.

   BRDM-2U command vehicle with a turret removed and replaced with a roof-mounted generator and two antennas.

   BRDM-2 anti-tank missile carrier fitted with Fleyta (Western reporting name AT-2 Swatter) anti-tank guided missiles. It was developed in late 1960s and has six-round missile launcher in place of the turret. Eight more missiles are carried internally. The Fleyta missiles had a maximum range of 3 km. In 1977 Fleyta missiles were converted from their normal wire command guidance system to a semi-automatic infra-red system.

   BRDM-2 with Malyutka (Western reporting name AT-3 Sagger) anti-tank guided missiles. First seen in 1973, has quadruple launcher for the Malyutka missiles in place of the turret. Missiles werre converted from original  radio-to-line-of-sight to semi-active infra-red command guidance.

   9P148 anti-tank missile carrier with the Konkurs (Western reporting name AT-5 Spandrel) anti-tank guided missiles was first seen in 1977. It has five missiles in ready-to-launch position on the roof and carries 10 reload missiles internally. The missiles have a maximum range of up to 4 km.

   Strela-1 (SA-9 Gaskin) air defense vehicle, fitted with a surface-to-air missiles.

   ZS-82 is a PSYOPS vehicle, fitted with loudspeakers. These vehicle was designed to operate in hotspots and broadcast propaganda messages to hostile population and nearby enemy forces. Loudspeakers can broadcast to enemy forces that have been cut off, urging them to surrender or to cease resistance.

   BRDM-2M, a refurbished and upgraded variant. It is in service with the Russian Army.

   There are numerous variants and upgrades of the BRDM-2, created by its export operators.