BTR-70

   The BTR-70 armored personnel carrier is a further development of the previous BTR-60PB. Vehicle entered service with Soviet Army in 1972. For a couple of years this armored personnel carrier was kept in secrecy and was first public revealed only in 1980.

   The BTR-70 is longer comparing with its predecessor. This armored vehicle is fitted with two triangle-shaped hatches on each side between second and third axles. These hatches are intended for enter and exit. Alternatively crewmembers and dismounts can enter and leave through the roof hatches.

   This APC is better protected than its predecessor. It is fitted with an automatic fire suppression system, as well as an NBC protection system.

   The BTR-70 armored personnel carrier is fitted with a complete one-man turret of the previous BTR-60PB. This turret was originally developed for the BRDM-2 armored scout car. It is armed with a 14.5 mm machine gun and coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun. The 14.5 mm machine gun penetrates a 32 mm armored plate at a range of 500 m.

   Vehicle has a crew of three and can carry 7 fully equipped troops. Troops enter and leave through roof hatches and triangular-shaped side access hatches, located between the front and rear sets of wheels. The BTR-70 can be easily recognized by these triangular-shaped side hatches. A number of firing ports and associated vision blocks are provided for the troops to fire their individual weapons.

   This armored vehicle has a rear-mounted engine compartment. This was made in order to improve weight distribution and amphibious capabilities. However such engine layout resulted in cramped crew compartment and awkward entry and exit for the crew and dismounts. On of the improvements of the BTR-70 over the BTR-60PB are two slightly more powerful GAZ-66 petrol engines, developing 120 horsepower each. Engines are mounted on a single frame and are located at the rear of the hull. When one engine is damaged, it can be remotely disconnected and vehicle keeps running on the remaining engine. Also this armored vehicle can travel with any two of its wheels completely destroyed. The BTR-70 is fitted with a central tyre inflation system and self-recovery winch as standard. Mobility of this armored vehicle allows to keep up with main battle tanks. However it looses in terms of off-road mobility to tracked APCs. The BTR-70 is fully amphibious and is propelled on water by two waterjets.

   Despite all improvements the BTR-70 still had a number of shortcomings, including relatively light armor protection, poor means of entry and exit and a pair of petrol engines that were troublesome to maintain.

Variants

   Improved BTR-70, first observed in 1986. It features improved turret with higher angle of elevation and smoke dischargers.

   some BTR-70 in Afghanistan were fitted with a 30 mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher.

   BTR-70 Kh chemical reconnaissance vehicle.

   BTR-70 MS communication vehicle.

   BTR-70 KShM command and control vehicle.

   BTR-70 MBP artillery command vehicle.

   BREM armored recovery vehicle.

   SPR-2 is a possible radar jamming vehicle.

   2S14 fire support vehicle, armed with an 85 mm gun. Never reached production.

   BTR-80 armored personnel carrier.

   some BTR-70 were fitted with a complete turret of the BTR-80.