Land Weapons

IFV (2001)

Kharkiv Morozov

BTR-3 Guardian

BTR-3U

The BTR-3 (also known as the Guardian) is a family of Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicles that shares the general look and layout of the Soviet/Russian BTR-80 APC although it is an entirely new vehicle and fitted with mostly indigenous components and equipment and significantly upgunned. Like the BTR-80, the BTR-3 is constructed of all-welded steel but has a slightly higher roof which offers greater internal volume. Various powerplants have been installed including a Ukrainian multi-fuel engine although later versions have used German Deutz diesels. Armament of the BTR-3 is based around the one-person KBA-105 Shkval unified battlefield module. This includes a 30-mm ZTM-1 autocannon, a coaxial 7.62-mm PKT machine gun, a 30-mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher, as well as optional Barrier ATGMs. The Shkval module has also been retrofitted on other Ukrainian vehicles including BMP-1s and BRDM-2s. Other features include NBC protection as well as amphibious capability. The BTR-3 entered service in 2001 with the Ukrainian army and has obtained considerable export success being in service with nearly a dozen countries including large oders for Myanmar, Thailand, and the UAE the latter which contributed to its development. Ukrainian BTR-3s have been in action against the Russian invasion, with a small number believed to have been captured and operated by the latter. The earlier BTR-94 which was developed into the BTR-3 also saw service with Iraqi units in the post-invasion phase of its conflict.

Design of a new indigenous APC based on the BTR-80 began in the 1990s and resulted in the BTR-94 of which the entire production run was exported to Jordan (which later donated them all to Iraq). The BTR-94 could be fitted with numerous armament configurations including twin 23-mm and single 30-mm autocannon. Subsequent development of the BTR-94 led to the BTR-3U (initially known as the BTR-94K) which incorporated the Shkval turret. UAE export versions are known as the BTR-3U Guardian and feature a Buran-N1 weapons module. A later version is the BTR-3E1 which incorporates a BM-3 Shturm weapons module which carries simlar armament as the Shkval and a new UTD-20 engine. A further upgraded version is the BTR-3DA with a newer BM-3M Shturm-M weapons module. An armored recovery vehicle as well as a command vehicle (BTR-3KSH) have also been designed.

Preceded by:

None

Related:

BTR-80 (1986)

Succeeded by:

BTR-4 Busefal (2014)

Datafile

DesignBTR-94BTR-3U
Name-Guardian
TypeIFVIFV
Year19992001
Crew33
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)7.65 m7.65 m
Width2.900 m2.900 m
Height2.950 m2.860 m
Ground Clearance0.475 m0.475 m
Track2.410 m2.410 m
Track on Ground0 m0 m
Weight
Combat13,600 kg16,400 kg
Ground Pressure0 kg/cm²0 kg/cm²
SuspensionTorsion barTorsion bar
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)100 km/h95 km/h
Range (Off-Road)800 km850 km
AmphibiousYes (10 km/h)Yes (9 km/h)
Vertical Obstacle0.50 m0.50 m
Trench2 m2 m
Gradient60%60%
Side Slope42%40%
Powerplant
Engine1 x 300-hp
KMDB
3TD
1 x 326-hp
Deutz
BF6M 1015
FuelMulti-fuel: 300 L-
Power/Weight22.06 hp/t19.88 hp/t
Armament
Main1 x 23-mm
2A7

Autocannon
↑ ° / ↓ ° / ↔ 360°
1 x 30-mm
ZTM-1

Autocannon
↑ 75° / ↓ -6° / ↔ 360°
SecondaryCoaxial:
1 x 7.62-mm
PKT
Coaxial:
1 x 7.62-mm
PKT
turret:
1 x 30-mm
AGS-17
Ammo-7.62-mm: 2,000
Armor
TypeSteelSteel
Thickness--
Max Effective--
Production
Built50n/a
Total350
Production includes BTR-94

Gallery