BTR-4

The BTR-4 "Bucephalus" (Ukrainian: БТР-4 «Буцефал», romanized: Butsefal, abbreviation of Бронетранспортер, Bronetransporter, 'armoured transporter') is an amphibious 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) designed in Ukraine by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau (SOE KMDB).

BTR-4
BTR-4E
TypeArmoured personnel carrier
Place of originUkraine
Service history
In service2014-present
Used byIraq
Ukraine
Indonesia
Nigeria
WarsBoko Haram insurgency[1]
International military intervention against ISIL[2]
War in Donbass
Production history
DesignerKharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau
ManufacturerKharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau
Specifications
Mass17.5+3% T (with anti-bullet protection)
25+3% T (with additional protection)
Length7.76 m
Width2.93 m
Height3.02 m
Crew3
ArmorWelded steel
Engine3TD diesel engine or DEUTZ EURO III
489 hp or 598
Power/weight28.6 hp/t (with anti-bullet protection)
20 hp/t (with additional protection)
Suspensionwheeled 8×8
Operational
range
at least 690 km
Maximum speed 110 km/h (road)
10 km/h (in water)

They have seen action in both the War in Donbass, and the capture of Jurf Al Nasr from ISIL.

History

The prototype, which was designed as a private venture, was unveiled at the Aviasvit 2006 exhibition held in Kiev in June 2006.[3][4]

A serial production started in late 2008, first series of ten BTR entered service in the army of Ukraine in 2009.[5]

In 2009, BTR-4 has been presented to the tender for the next infantry combat vehicle for the Spain Ground Forces, to replace the Pegaso BMR.[6]

Description
BTR-4MV1

The layout of the BTR-4 represents a change compared to the older BTR-60/70/80 designed in the Soviet Union. The vehicle has a conventional layout similar to western designs like the German TPz Fuchs with the driver's and commander's compartment at the front part of the hull, the engine and transmission compartment in the middle, and the troop compartment at the rear. The troops enter and leave the vehicle either through the rear doors or the roof hatches, and the driver and the commander are provided with doors located on the sides of the hull.

The BTR-4 is a more flexible design than the older BTR-60/70/80s as the changed layout makes it easier to adapt the vehicle to specialized roles. The vehicle can be armed according to customer requirements. The prototype is armed with the locally designed New Armament Module which is armed with one 30mm automatic cannon, 7.62mm coaxial machine-gun, up to four 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer anti-tank missiles (two on each side of the turret), and one 30mm automatic grenade launcher (fitted in place of the AT missiles on one left-hand side of the turret). It can also be fitted with different turret weapons modules: the GROM module, SHKVAL module, and the BAU 23x2 module.

The BTR-4 has a maximum speed of 110 km/h and can cross water obstacles at a speed of 10 km/h. The vehicle is powered by a 3TD diesel engine with 500 hp. It was reported to being hit by several rpg rounds and multiple small-arms fire with no consequences. Slat armor can be fitted for maximum protection against RPG attacks.

Ukrainian state defence manufacturer UkrOboronProm has taken the opportunity at the Arms and Security exhibition being held from 10 to 13 October to unveil a prototype wheeled armoured fighting vehicle that is presently known as the BTR-4MV1. The new BTR-4MV1 is the latest generation of 8×8 APCThe BTR-4MV1 is designed in accordance with NATO standards. The vehicle is based on the BTR-4 but with many new improvements. It differs from the previous versions mostly in a modified configuration of the vehicle's hull, which makes it possible to install additional types of protection (including the ceramic plates and explosive reactive armour) to reach the fourth and fifth protection levels in accordance with the NATO standards. Apart from that, the hull rear is fitted with a ramp that not only enables troopers to enter and leave the vehicle much quicker, but also enables the armoured personnel carrier to transport various large-size cargoes, including additional ammunition, spare parts, etc.[7]

Service history

Up to 500 vehicles produced for all operators.

BTR-4 assigned to 1st Battalion, 92nd Mechanized Brigade, Ukrainian Armed Forces
Indonesia

During early trials and evaluation by the Indonesian Marine Corps, the BTR-4 has successfully passed the trials in Indonesia.[8][9] On April 2017, it was reported that the Indonesian Marine Corps had prepared a formal letter to withdraw from any further acquisitions of the BTR-4[10], though according to Ukroboronprom the news are part of informational warfare and black PR.[11]

Iraq

Iraq has ordered 450 BTR-4s. 40 vehicles of the third batch delivered arrived with rust and damaged hulls and were not accepted by Iraq.[12][13][14][15][16][17]

Nigeria

The BTR-4 was delivered for Nigerian Army in 2014.[18]

Ukraine

Some BTR-4s that being used by Ukrainian armed forces in the ATO operations come from the rejected batch for the Iraqi army.[19][20][21][22][23]

Combat use
Iraq

The Iraqi army used BTR-4s in an operation to recapture Jurf Al Sakhar from ISIL forces on October 24, 2014, successfully repelling two road-side ambushes.[24]

Ukraine

On 4 June 2014, company officials revealed that the BTR-4E was being used in military operations in the Sloviansk area. Its armor had withstood hits from large-caliber machine guns, counter-HEAT side screens protected the crew from anti-tank grenade launchers, and armored glass sustained direct hits from sniper rifles.[25] Their original desert camo as seen on Iraqi BTR-4s can be viewed in pictures and videos from ATO operations.[26] Two Ukrainian BTR-4 were captured by the pro-Russian separatists in repairable state.

Versions

BTR-4 is available in multiple different configurations.

BTR-4 with Grom module
Retrieving And Medical Vehicle BSEM-4K
Repair and Recovery Vehicle BREM-4K
  • BRM-4K reconnaissance vehicle,
  • BTR-4K command vehicle,
  • BTR-4KSh command and staff vehicle,
  • BTR-4E1[27]
  • BTR-4MV1 upgraded to NATO standard with increased protection.
  • MOP-4K fire support vehicle,
  • BREM-4K repair and recovery vehicle, and the
  • BSEM-4K recovery and medical vehicle.
  • BMM-4A - Apparently similar in role to the BMM-1 (BTR-80 family) [first-aid and battlefield evacuation vehicle]
  • BMM-4B - Apparently similar in role to the BMM-2 (BTR-80 family) [battalion level initial medical treatment vehicle]
  • BMM-4C - Apparently similar in role to the BMM-3 (BTR-80 family) [field hospital]

Weapons modules

Standard module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3x crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8x soldiers (7x soldiers in up-armored version)
  • Armament:
    • 1x 30 mm automatic cannon
    • 1x 7.62 mm coaxial machinegun
    • 4x 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer AT missiles (optional 1x 30 mm automatic grenade launcher with reduction to 2x AT missiles)

GROM module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3x crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8x soldiers
  • Armament:
    • 1x 30 mm automatic cannon
    • 1x 30 mm automatic grenade launcher
    • 1x 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
    • 4x 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer AT missiles

SHKVAL module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3x crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8x soldiers
  • Armament:
    • 1x 30 mm automatic cannon
    • 1x 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
    • 4x 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer AT missiles (optional 1x 30 mm automatic grenade launcher with reduction to 2x AT missiles)

BAU 23x2 module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3x crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8x soldiers
  • Armament:
    • 2x 23x152 mm automatic cannons
    • 1x 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun

BTR-4KSh command and staff vehicle:

  • Passengers:
    • 2x crew (driver, vehicle commander)
    • 5x staff (commander, four officers)
  • Armament:
    • 1x TKB-01-1 12.7 mm machine gun

MOP-4K fire support vehicle:

  • Passengers:
    • 4x crew (driver, commander, gunner, loader)
  • Armament:
    • 1x 120 mm cannon
    • 1x 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun (turret ring mount)

Operators
BTR-4 operators map

Current operators
The Indonesian Marine Corps ordered 5 BTR-4M with two vehicles with the BM-7 "Parus" turret with a 30-mm ZTM-1 automatic gun and 3 with 7.62 mm RCWS and began operating them in May 2017.[28] Subsequent orders for 55 vehicles were cancelled due to unsatisfactory performance and in April 2019, an order was made for 21 BT-3F and 22 BMP-3F vehicles instead.[29]
The Iraqi Ministry of Defence ordered 420 vehicles in 2012.[30] Only 88 out of an order for 420 were delivered by late 2013 and the contract has been canceled due to numerous quality violations. According to Ukraine contract was resumed and as of September 2018 Iraq operates 270 vehicles.
5 BTR-4 for the Nigerian Police.[31]
  • Armed Forces of Ukraine — Ukraine's Ministry of Defence made an initial order of 10 vehicles that entered service in 2009.[32] In August 2014 two BMM-4S were ordered, they will be delivered in October 2014.[33] Around 170 vehicles in service as of August 2018. 12 more vehicles were delivered to the army in October–November 2018.[34]
  • Ministry of Internal Affairs — since 25th of March 2014, 10 vehicles were transferred to the recently reconstituted National Guard of Ukraine. There were 40 vehicles delivered to NGU until July 2014.[35]

Potential operators
The tender for the Macedonian Ground Forces is for an infantry wheeled vehicle, who is destinated for replacing the current BTR-60 and BTR-70 flotilla. The estimated order can reach 200 units.[36]
The Royal Thai Marine Corps reportedly showed interest in the BTR-4MV1 in October 2018.[37]

See also

References
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