BTR-82A
The BTR-82A stands as a mobile combat vehicle with a notably energetic suspension system. Introduced to service in 2013, this eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier marks a comprehensive modernization of the BTR-80, which has served our forces since 1986. The lineage traces back to the 60s and 70s families from the USSR, yet the current model retains only a single core concept from those earlier designs. Through multiple upgrades, the hull received redesigns, armor was reinforced, and landing methods were adjusted. A diesel engine replaced the prior twin gasoline units, prompting transmission changes. The result is higher specific power, extended range, and greater top speed. Enhancements also targeted mine and fragmentation protection, chassis reliability, and the longevity of many subsystems, including communications, observation, navigation, and overall survivability. An autonomous diesel generator powers the system, improving independence for field operations.
The driver’s seat sits in a cockpit layout similar to a civilian vehicle, with a steering wheel and pedals. The troop compartment sits in the vehicle’s central section. Anti-mine floor mats and multi-layer Kevlar armor lining provide protection against fragments and blasts. The light armored vehicle is designed to deliver motorized troops to their destination while offering fire support along the way. The most significant innovations in the BTR-82A relate to its weapons suite, reflecting a shift from a turret with heavy calibers to a remote-controlled weapons module. The domestic armored fleet has evolved toward modules that host small-caliber and large-caliber options for flexible engagement.
Our BTR-82A mounts a capable machine gun and cannon armament along with modern sights. It features an uninhabited combat module housing a 30‑mm 2A72 rapid-fire cannon paired with a 7.62‑mm PKTM machine gun. The armament is stabilized in two axes, markedly boosting firing accuracy on the move compared with earlier designs. In addition, the module includes advanced sights that enable operation around the clock in all weather conditions.
YPR-765
The YPR-765 is a tracked armored personnel carrier in the same family as the Dutch‑built combat vehicle, which shares root lineage with the American M-113 series. The Dutch variant was developed from the YPR-765 PRI infantry fighting vehicle concept, entering Dutch service in 1975. Some units in the CBO zone have seen this model deployed from storage. While not the newest platform, the YPR-765 remains a battle-ready vehicle used by several nations. The family’s designs derive from the 1960s American M-113 lineage, with modifications of the original concept over decades. The YPR hull is built from welded aluminum armor, with a central fighting compartment and a stern landing area. Exits are provided by hydraulically operated ramps and a conventional door. The powerplant sits on the right of the driver and uses a Detroit Diesel V-shaped six-cylinder engine as its heart. The transmission is a three-speed Allison automatic, and its floating movement is achieved through tracked suspension that allows a degree of water propulsion, helping it stay mobile across varied terrains.
The YPR-765 places the driver on a seat with familiar lever controls, while the engine compartment lies to the vehicle’s right. Entry and exit can be achieved through the stern ramp or a standard door. Its armament features a large-caliber 12.7‑mm M2 machine gun, historically a cornerstone of NATO’s heavy machine gun arsenal. The Browning M2 sits on a small turret that shields the gunner from projectiles and fragments, offering essential protection while maximizing firepower. Like many M-113 derivatives, the YPR-765 remains in service in multiple configurations, proving the enduring viability of this lineage. The M2’s effectiveness endures in modern operations through continued integration with protective enclosures and improved optics. In essence, the Dutch armored car remains a reliable, battle-proven platform that has withstood the test of time.
Compared with modernized platforms, the YPR-765’s era-defining design is not merely about weight. It is about balance: robust armor with effective protection, combined aluminum and steel structures, and reliable mechanicals. The M2 heavy machine gun has a storied history and continues to be a mainstay of battlefield firepower. The YPR family has not vanished from active service; instead, it has evolved through upgrades and retrofits, maintaining relevance in diverse deployments and conflicts.
Upgraded on time
In this duel, each platform’s weapon systems pierce the other’s defensive layers. The BTR-82A’s armor, while formidable, cannot withstand the heaviest machine gun rounds, whereas the YPR-765’s armor and composite construction can resist certain threats but may falter against modern cannon rounds. The question arises: who shoots faster and with greater accuracy? The answer favors the BTR-82A, which benefits from a modern, remotely operated combat module. In terms of long-range, precise fire, electric-drive weapons with stabilization and a two-channel sight offer superior performance to turret-mounted machine guns. During the engagement, the enemy vehicle fell behind after one track was damaged, allowing the crew to abandon their course. The BTR-82A maintained mobility despite damage to wheels, underscoring the resiliency of a modern platform with better protection and fire control. The current saturation of armored personnel carriers in service with MMO units highlights the advantage of updated modules, which would be less effective if a simpler system, like the BTR-80 with a manually guided heavy machine gun, had remained in use. This demonstrates the impact of modernization on battlefield outcomes.
There is a continuing emphasis on equipping troops with capable armored personnel carriers featuring machine gun and cannon modules. If earlier designs had persisted, the potential for unpredictable results in engagements would have been higher.
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Characteristics of armored personnel carriers
|
BTR-82A |
YPR-765 |
|
|
Combat weight, t |
15.4 |
12.4 |
|
Crew, pers. |
3 |
3 |
|
Landing, pers. |
7 |
7 |
|
Length, mm |
7580 |
5258 |
|
Width, mm |
2985 |
2819 |
|
Height, mm |
2725 |
2540 |
|
Clearance, mm |
475 |
432 |
|
Engine / power, hp |
KAMAZ/300 |
Detroit-Diesel/264 |
|
Transfer |
M5 |
A3 |
|
Maximum speed, km/h |
80 |
61 |
|
Speed floating, km/h |
9 |
6.3 |
|
Power reserve, km |
700 |
490 |
|
Tank capacity, l |
300 |
416 |
|
Climbability, degrees |
thirty |
thirty |
|
Accessible wall, m |
0.5 |
0.6 |
|
Crossable ford, m |
floats |
floats |
|
Shield |
steel + anti-shatter lining inside |
Combined aluminum + steel |
|
armament: |
||
|
gun/caliber, mm |
2A72/30 |
— |
|
machine gun/caliber, mm |
PKTM/7.62 |
Browning M2/12.7 |
|
Ammunition, pieces: |
300 shells2000 laps |
2000 laps |