Fact File: the BTR-80

[Matt Wiser]

The last of the BTR series to see combat in WW III:



The BTR-80 in World War III



The BTR-80 was based on the BTR-70, but was designed to finally remedy the issues that had arisen with that vehicle and the BTR-60 family. Combat experience, first in Afghanistan and in North America, was a major factor in the design of the vehicle and its variants, many of which are still in service in Russia, the Ukraine, the Far East Republic, and other former Soviet states today.

This study is concerned only with those versions that either saw service in North America or were earmarked for service there prior to the Armistice: a number of variants-including the BTR-82 series, have been developed by the Russian Republic and Ukraine since the end of hostilities in North America and in what was the Soviet Union.


BTR-80: Initial production version, first given a combat evaluation in Afghanistan prior to service entry in 1985. One 260-Hp V-8 gasoline engine instead of the two diesels in the BTR-60 and -70. One 14.5-mm KPVT machine gun and one PKT 7.62-mm machine gun with 500 rounds and 3000 rounds, respectively in top turret. Both machine guns can be elevated to 60 degrees to engage air targets and for both urban and mountain warfare. Night vision for driver and commander, IR searchlight on turret. The vehicle is fully amphibious, just as with its BTR-50/60/70 predecessors. Crew of 3 plus 7 infantrymen. Two side doors for passenger/crew ingress and egress, two top hatches for commander and driver.

BTR-80K: Command version with telescoping radio mast, internal navigation system, and additional radios.

BTR-80A: IFV version with 30-mm 2A72 gun and 300 rounds. Day/night sights for gunner, otherwise same as BTR-80. Intended to give MR units a vehicle with a decent chance against both the M-2 Bradley and the Warrior IFVs. No combat in North America, but service in the Second Russian Civil War.

BTR-80S: MVD version of A with new turret with basic armament as original.

BTR-80AK: Command version of A, with two whip antennas, nav system, and additional radios.

BRDM-3: Armored reconnaissance version,meant to replace BRDM-2. Six man-crew, otherwise same as BTR-80AK. Intended replacement for BRDM-2.

2S23 Nona-SVK: Fire-support vehicle with 2A60 120-mm rifled gun/mortar. Four man crew, combat debut with Russian Republic forces during the Civil War.

BREM-K: Armored Recovery Vehicle variant with light crane, winch, towbars, and welding equipment.

ZS-88: Psyops Vehicle with loudspeaker and leaflet dispenser.

BMM-80: Armored Ambulance series: developed too late for North America, but service in Civil War (on both Russian Republic and Rump Soviet sides).

PU-12M6: Battery command vehicle for units with SA-8, SA-9, SA-13 SAM systems, and either ZSU-23-4 or 2S6 (ZSU-30-2) gun systems.

1V152: Command and artillery spotter vehicle for artillery units: Land navigation system, day/night vision equipment, range finders, and additional radios.

R-149BMR: Signal vehicle with several HF/VHF radios, generator, telescoping mast, HF antenna, Discone antenna.


Users (WW III only):

Soviet Union: The BTR-80 family entered Soviet service in 1985, with several Cat I units equipped in time for the Invasion. Most served in the Northern Theater at the time. Several batches shipped to Southern Theater in 1986 for service in Colorado and New Mexico, others arrived 1987 in time for the Battle of Wichita. The vehicle was well received by its users as being superior to the BTR-60/70, and Motor-Rifle troops appreciated the side hatches instead ot the top ones on the -60/70.

Cuba: At least one Soviet division equipped with the vehicle was on the Island when the Soviets accepted the Armistice. The vehicles were turned over to the Cubans prior to the Soviets leaving the island, and saw service until the end of the Castro Regime in 2009. All surviving vehicles scrapped.

Mexico: Soviet forces left a number of vehicles behind in Mexico after the Armistice, with the vehicles entering Mexican service. Many destroyed either in COIN operations or in 2010 Baja War. Some remain in Mexican service.

Captured Vehicles:

The vehicle was known to Allied intelligence prior to the war, as it had been seen in Afghanistan. Captured APCs were often used by the units that “acquired” the vehicle, while specialist variants were shipped to either Aberdeen Proving Ground or to the UK for evaluation. Many survivors destroyed on target ranges, but some preserved either in museums or in private collections. Some have been reengined by the U.S. Army, the British, and Canadians for OPFOR use.