Land Weapons

APC (1964)

FSC

OT-64 SKOT

OT-64

The OT-64 SKOT (which stands for Střední Kolový Obrněný Transportér / Średni Kołowy Opancerzony Transporter or 'medium wheeled armored transporter' in Czech and Polish respectively) was a joint Czechoslovakian/Polish 8x8 APC that was designed as an alternative to the Soviet BTR-60 for use by Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet client states. The OT-64 is of similar appearance to the BTR-60 and is constructed of welded steel, with the driver and commander seated in the front, the engine compartment behind them, and the troop compartment in the rear. The placement of the troop compartment in the rear allowed troops to enter and exit the vehicle more efficiently (and more safely) through two rear doors as opposed to the roof hatches and side doors in the BTR-60, although numerous roof hatches are also provided. The troop compartment features up to three firing ports on the sides and an additional firing port in each of the rear doors. The foldable seats also allow the OT-64 to be used as a cargo vehicle. The OT-64 is fully amphibious, with propulsion coming from two propellers under the rear hull. It also features NBC protection which was absent in early BTR-60 models. Armament consisted of either 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm machine guns with later versions incorporating the turret of the BRDM-2 with a 14.5-mm KPVT machine gun. The OT-64 was one of the most successful non-Soviet armored fighting vehicles of the Eastern bloc, which saw widespread use among Soviet client states, particularly in Africa and South Asia where major users included Algeria, Egypt, India, Morocco, Syria, and Uruguay, the latter being its only user in the Western Hemisphere.

The OT-64 SKOT began its joint Czechoslovakian/Polish development in 1959 and entered service in the early 1960s. The initial version was initially known in the West as the OT-64A which were initially unarmed in Czech service or featured a 7.62-mm machine gun for Polish service. The OT-64B SKOT-2 is a Polish-only version which has an open top and open rear, with a 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm gun on a pintle mount. The OT-64C(1) SKOT-2A and OT-64C(2) SKOT-2AP are upgraded versions (Czech and Polish respectively) which incorporated the turret of the BRDM-2 that was armed with a 14.5-mm KPVT machine gun. It was later revealed that the actual designation of these upraded vehicles was OT-64A in Czech service (the original -64A and -64B versions being designated simply OT-64). Some were also armed with twin AT-3 'Sagger' ATGMs. A myriad of additional variants were built as command vehicles, radio vehicles, and engineer vehicles, in addition to one variant used as a propaganda vehicle fitted with loudspeakers. A more recent export version is known as the OT-93 with the BRDM-2 turret replaced by a smaller turret with 7.62-mm machine gun.

Preceded by:

None

Succeeded by:

None

Datafile

DesignOT-64OT-64A
NameSKOTSKOT-2A
TypeAPCAPC
Year19641966
Crew22
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)7.44 m7.44 m
Width2.500 m2.550 m
Height0 m2.710 m
Ground Clearance0.460 m0.460 m
Track1.860 m1.860 m
Track on Ground0 m0 m
Weight
Combat14,300 kg14,500 kg
Empty12,800 kg
Ground Pressure0 kg/cm²0 kg/cm²
SuspensionTelescopic springsTelescopic springs
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)94 km/h94 km/h
Range (Off-Road)710 km710 km
AmphibiousYes (9 km/h)Yes (9 km/h)
Vertical Obstacle0.50 m0.50 m
Trench2 m2 m
Gradientn/a60%
Side Slope23%30%
Powerplant
Engine1 x 180-hp
Tatra
T 928-14
1 x 180-hp
Tatra
T 928-18
FuelDiesel: 320 LDiesel: 330 L
Power/Weight12.59 hp/t12.41 hp/t
Armament
MainNone1 x 14.5-mm
KPVT

Machine Gun
↑ 29° / ↓ -4° / ↔ 360°
SecondaryAnti-Aircraft:
1 x 7.62-mm
ÚV vz. 59
Coaxial:
1 x 7.62-mm
PKT
Ammo7.62-mm: 1,250
7.62-mm: 2,000
Armor
TypeSteelSteel
Thickness10 - 10 mm10 - 14 mm
Max Effective10 mm RHAe10 - 14 mm RHAe
Hull Upper Front10 mm10 mm
Hull Lower Front10 mm10 mm
Turret Front-14 mm
Production
Builtn/an/a
Total4,500

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