Land Weapons

APC (1960)

Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod

BTR-60

BTR-60
BTR-60PA
BTR-60PB

The BTR-60 was the third in the BTR series of Soviet APCs, designed to replace the BTR-152 given its lack of amphibious capability. The BTR-60 introduced the now standard layout of an 8 x 8 personnel carrier, although in its initial production versions had an open-topped troop compartment (capable of carrying as many as 16 troops and fitted with three firing ports) located behind the crew. Amphibious capability is afforded thanks to a single rear-mounted water-jet but NBC protection was only provided in later variants, once an armored roof had been added to protect the troop compartment. When it entered service in the 1960s, the BTR-60 was used primarily to equip Soviet motor rifle units, whereas tank units were equipped with the tracked BMP-1 or BMP-2. As was the case with most Soviet APC, it was widely adopted by Warsaw Pact allies and client states, and has seen extensive combat although usually in a support role. The War in Afghanistan highlighted shortcomings in the design, such as weak armor, unreliable engine in non-temperate environments, and poor gun elevation, many of which were addressed in the BTR-70. Although most have since been retired from front line service, many still operate as part of internal security forces, border police and other paramilitary units.

The BTR-60P was the initial production variant with an open troop-compartment and was adapted into various other roles including command vehicle, fire support vehicle, and mortar carrier. The BTR-60PA was the first to feature an armored roof as NBC protection. Later, the BTR-60PB added provisioning for a turret housing a 14.5-mm main machine gun and a co-axial 7.62mm machine gun. There are also improvements to the telescopic sights as well as numerous roof-mounted periscopes. A command vehicle variant is known as the BTR-60PU while the MTR-2 is a repair vehicle. Private modernizations by Russian companies include the BTR-60PBM and MWS. Local variants are too numerous to list but include the East German SPW-60P series and the Romanian TAB-71 with twin 140-hp SR-225 gasoline engines.

Preceded by:

BTR-152 (1950)

Succeeded by:

BTR-70 (1972)

Datafile

DesignBTR-60PABTR-60PB
TypeAPCAPC
Year19631966
Crew22
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)7.56 m7.56 m
Width2.825 m2.825 m
Height2.055 m2.310 m
Ground Clearance0.475 m0.475 m
Track2.370 m2.370 m
Track on Ground0 m0 m
Weight
Combat9,980 kg10,300 kg
Ground Pressure0 kg/cm²0 kg/cm²
SuspensionTorsion barTorsion bar
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)80 km/h80 km/h
Range (Off-Road)500 km500 km
AmphibiousYes (10 km/h)Yes (10 km/h)
Vertical Obstacle0.40 m0.40 m
Trench2 m2 m
Gradient60%60%
Side Slope40%40%
Powerplant
Engine2 x 90-hp
GAZ-49B
2 x 90-hp
GAZ-49B
FuelGasoline: 290 LGasoline: 290 L
Power/Weight18.04 hp/t17.48 hp/t
Armament
MainNone1 x 14.5-mm
KPVT

Machine Gun
↑ 30° / ↓ -5° / ↔ 360°
Secondaryroof:
1 x 7.62-mm
PKT
Coaxial:
1 x 7.62-mm
PKT
Ammo7.62-mm: 2,000
7.62-mm: 2,000
Armor
TypeSteelSteel
Thickness5 - 9 mm5 - 9 mm
Max Effective13 mm RHAe10 - 13 mm RHAe
Hull Upper Front7 mm / 4°7 mm / 4°
Hull Lower Front9 mm / 47°9 mm / 47°
Hull Upper Sides7 mm / 35°7 mm / 35°
Hull Lower Sides7 mm7 mm
Hull Upper Rear5 mm5 mm
Hull Lower Rear7 mm / 65°7 mm / 65°
Hull Top7 mm / 86°7 mm / 86°
Hull Bottom5 mm5 mm
Turret Front-7 mm / 43°
Turret Sides-7 mm / 36°
Turret Rear-7 mm / 36°
Turret Top-7 mm
Production
Builtn/an/a
Total25,000

Gallery