Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Ukrainian military introduces new BTR-60 variant, providing significant improvement in firepower

Ukraine has unveiled a significant upgrade to its aging BTR-60 armored personnel carriers, equipping them with the advanced BM-7 Parus turret. This modernization enhances the vehicles’ firepower, transforming the Soviet-era transporters into more capable fighting machines.
A BTR-60B. Source: Ukraine's Ministry of Defense.
A BTR-60B. Source: Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
Ukrainian military introduces new BTR-60 variant, providing significant improvement in firepower

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have received another local modernization of the post-Soviet BTR-60 wheeled armored personnel carrier. This time it has been equipped with the BM-7 Parus turret known from the BTR-4 Bucephalus IFV.

As reported by Defence 24, before the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine possessed a significant number of post-Soviet BTR-60 wheeled armored personnel carriers, which had been obsolete for decades and required replacement or modernization.

There were many approaches by the local industry to this issue, one of the better-known examples of modernization being the BTR-60HM, in which only the bottom of the hull remained from the original vehicle. However, due to the costs of such modernization, the project was abandoned. Recent months have seen a return to the issue of repairs and modernizations or modifications of the BTR-60 transporters possessed by Ukrainians, especially in light of receiving another 100-110 units from Bulgaria.

One example of such work is the above photo showing a BTR-60 with a completely replaced turret, where instead of the one with a large-caliber KPWT 14.5 mm machine gun, a BM-7 Pareus combat module known from, among others, the BTR-4 Bucephalus wheeled infantry fighting vehicles was installed.

The main armament consists of a ZTM-1 30 mm automatic cannon, coupled with a KT-7.62 7.62 mm universal machine gun. Additional armament can include a set of four barrier anti-tank guided missile launchers or two launchers and a KBA-117 30 mm automatic grenade launcher. Thus, this modernized BTR-60 received a significant improvement in firepower, although the vehicle still has very weak armor and not very optimal access to the troop compartment.

Ukrainian defense industry experimenting with new variations on military vehicles

The appearance of this vehicle may indicate that the Ukrainian defense industry has greater production capabilities for BM-7 turrets than for hulls for the BTR-4 IFV, which are also being gradually created. The BTR-60 itself most likely underwent a major or minor overhaul. Thus, this is another attempt to modernize these transporters alongside work carried out on vehicles handed over by Bulgaria and those gradually being restored from equipment reserves.

Interestingly, in June of this year, footage appeared on social media, showcasing that a similar concept of placing a Ukrainian turret on a post-Soviet transporter was carried out with the BTR-70 for soldiers of the Russian Volunteer Corps.

The BTR-60 is a Soviet wheeled armored personnel carrier developed in the second half of the 1950s as a successor to the BTR-152. Initially, the main armament consisted of one of three types of machine guns: SGMB/PKT/PKB 7.62 mm or even DShK 1938/46 12.7 mm. However, over time in subsequent versions, the focus was on a duo of PKT 7.62 mm machine gun and KPWT 14.5 mm heavy machine gun. The ammunition supply in this configuration is 500 and 3000 rounds respectively. The vehicle is powered by two GAZ-40P engines with a total power of 180 HP. This allows the 10,300 kg vehicle to achieve a maximum speed of 80 km/h and a range of about 500 km.

The BTR-60 crew, depending on the version, consists of two or three people, while the troop compartment can accommodate 8 to 14 soldiers. They are protected by armor 5-10 mm thick. Currently, vehicles of this family (in various versions) are used by countries such as Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Syria, Cuba, Algeria, and Egypt.

Related:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!