Fact File: the BTR-60

[Matt Wiser]

One of the most common APCs in ComBloc service, the BTR-60:


The BTR-60 in World War III


The most common APC of the Soviet bloc, the BTR-60 and its variants saw widespread service during the war, and in both Northern and Southern Theaters. While supplanted in First-line Soviet service by the BTR-70 and BTR-80, the BTR-60 spawned more variants (Command, artillery observation, Forward Air Control, etc.) than the two successor vehicles. In many cases, the BTR variant saw service alongside its successor vehicles in many Soviet units. The vehicle also saw service in Cuban, Nicaraguan, East German, Libyan, and Mexican forces, and saw combat in the 1989 East European Campaign. The vehicle has also seen extensive service in many postwar conflicts (including both the Second Russian Civil War and the fall of the Rump USSR), and is still in service in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia today.


Variants:

BTR-60P: Initial production version first introduced in 1959: Fully amphibious, with open topped-crew compartment and no NBC system; troop compartment often covered with tarps in bad weather. Armament three PKT, PKT, or SGMB 7.62-mm machine guns with total ammo capacity of 3,000 rounds. Two crew (commander and driver), 14 infantry. Troop ingress/egress over the sides; no hatches except for commander and driver.

BTR-60P (Modified): P modified with Pintle Mount for DshK 12.7-mm (.51 Caliber) machine gun with 500 rounds; two mounts for 7.62-mm guns retained.

BTR-60P mortar carrier: two 82-mm or 120-mm mortars with crews and ammuntion. Mortars could not be fired from the vehicle.

MTR-2: BTR-60P converted into field maintenance/repair vehicle.

BTR-60PA: Fielded in 1963. Version with armored roof over troop compartment, pintle mount for DshK machine gun (500 rounds) and two pintle mounts for 7.62-mm machine guns with 3,000 rounds. Collective NBC system installed, two top hatches for infantry ingress/egress.

BTR-60PA Command: Command vehicle with two side-mounted teloscopic masts.

MTP-2: Field maintenance and repair vehicle based on PA: no armament and side-mounted crane

BTR-60PAI: Fielded 1965: First version with top turret based on BRDM-2 turret. 14.5-mm KPV machine gun with 500 rounds, and PKT 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun with 3,000 rounds. Crew increased to 3 (Commander, Gunner, Driver). Infantry compliment reduced to 7.

BTR-60PB: Final version with top turret with KPVT machine gun, improved engine, NBC overpressure and filtration system.

BTR-60PB Agitation and Propaganda Vehicle: Fitted with loudspeaker, leaflet dispenser, and turret with single PKT machine gun.

BTR-60PBK: Fielded 1975. Company-level command vehicle with three radios and four antennas. Modified turret with PKT machine gun.

BTR-60PU: Turretless command vehicle with teloscopic mast, field telephone, generator, and five radios. No armament.

BTR-60PZ: Equipped with\improved turret (similar to BTR-70) with higher elevation to better engage airborne or other high-angle targets.

BTR-60 1v18 “Kylon-1”: Artillery command/forward observation vehicle. New turret with observation devices and rangefinder. Generator, fire-direction computer, four radios, and backup fire control equipment. Crew of 5.

BTR-60 1v19 “Kylon-2” Artillery fire direction center vehicle. Used at battalion level.

BTR-60R-145: Communications version with five radios and no turret.

BTR-60PU-12: Air defense command vehicle for units with ZSU-23-4, SA-9, or SA-13. No turret, teloscopic mast. Can be connected to a radar and radar information displayed on commander's monitor. Able to process up to 12 targets.

BTR-60PU-12M: Modernized version with improved computer. Able to function with ZSU-30-2, SA-8, SA-11 as well as earlier systems. Capable of displaying up to 99 targets on monitor.

BTR-60R-975: Used by Tactical Air Control Parties; no turret, four radios, navigation beacon, two antennas. 975M-1 modernized version.

Several versions used as communications vehicles, radio relays, field switchboards for field telephone networks.


SPW-60: East German designation for BTR-60 series. Similar variants to Soviet versions developed in-country.

TAB-71; Romanian license-built versions.

OT-64: Czech and Polish counterpart. Though technically a separate vehicle, the Czechs and Poles rejected the BTR-60 series due to the top ingress/egress for infantry. The vehicle has ingress via twin doors at the rear, and a diesel engine compared to the BTR-60's gas engine. Command, signal, artillery spotter, and maintenance versions developed.


Users:

Soviet Union: PB version main APC in Cat II motor-rifle divsions and some Cat I formations. Specialist versions used in Cat I and II.

Cuba: PB and PA versions used in North America in first-line mechanized infantry divisions. Some PA versions shipped over to replace war losses. Vehicles still in service and saw combat in 2009 Uprising against Castro Regime (on both sides). No longer in Cuban Service.

Czechoslovakia: CPA units in North America used the OT-64. Combat also during 1989 campaign

East Germany: Specialist versions used at all levels, while PB in mobilization-only formations (Cat I motor-rifle divisions used the BTR-70). Combat also in East Germany in 1989.

Hungary: Some specialist versions used, but primary APC was the OT-64.

Libya: PB version and OT-64 used by Libyan forces in North America. Combat also during 2011 Libyan Civil War and end of Qaddafi Regime.

Mexico: P, PA, and PB versions used by Mexican Army and Interior Ministry forces. Most were the P and PA series. PB versions left behind by Soviets and Soviet allies taken over by Mexico after 1989. Many destroyed either during insurgency or the 2010 Baja War. Some still in service.

Nicaragua: PB version main APC used by Sandinista Army in North America. Combat also in 1995 anti-Sandinista Coup. All retired and scrapped.

North Korea: PB used by North Korean Corps in Canada. Combat also in 2010 during fall of Rump USSR and North Korea. Survivors all scrapped.

Poland: OT-64 and variants used by Polish forces in North America and in 1989 Campaign.

ALA: Some P and PA versions passed to ALA formations in Texas in 1987-88.


Captured Vehicles:

Though the U.S., British, and Canadians were very familiar with the BTR-60 APC versions due to captures in various prewar conflicts, specimens of the specialist versions were rare and thus eagerly sought by Allied intelligence. Some captured APCs used as “hack” vehicles and also by the famous 83rd Mechanized Infantry Division, the “Rag-Tag Circus”. Many captured vehicles used until spares ran out. Some still used for OPFOR training, while others found their way onto target ranges. Some also exist in private collections and in museums.

[Poohbah]

Fun thing was that there was a sweet spot on the front for anyone with a .50 caliber rifle.

Hit that spot with even standard ball, and you'd dome the driver. It got to the point where any time the commander heard a particularly jarring "CLANK!" on the front hull, SOP was to check to see if the driver was still alive.

A burst of .50 API was absolutely horrific in a raking position. It'd shred the infantry and light the vehicle on fire.

25mm was overkill. The time a Stingray managed to get a perfect raking position on a company of BTR-60s in column at 58 Easting with APDSDU caused a motor rifle battalion to mutiny.