BTR-T

BTR-T
Russian BTR-T
Type	Heavy infantry fighting vehicle
Place of origin	Russia
Specifications
Weight	38.5 tonnes
Length	6.45 m
Width	3.27 m
Height	2.4 m
Crew	2 (+5 passengers)
Armor	320 mm max with ERA
Main armament	9M113 Konkurs ATGMs
Secondary armament	2A42 30mm autocannon or AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher
Engine	diesel 520hp
Power/weight	14hp/tonne
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	500 km
Speed	50 km/h off-road: 25 km/h

The BTR-T (Russian: Бронетранспортёр-Тяжелый (Bronetransporter-Tyazhelyy), ‘Armoured Transporter–Heavy’) is a Russian heavy infantry combat vehicle, designed by the Design Bureau of Transport Machine-Building (Omsk Transmash) state-run production association.

It is based on the hull of the T-55 tank and answers the need for a heavy, well protected and well armed vehicle adapted to urban combat. The need for a heavy IFV appeared after the First Chechen War during which APCs like the BTR-80 and BMP-2 were annihilated in urban areas at the hands of Chechen rebels using RPG shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons. Consequently, the design incorporates thicker armour, with built-in reactive armour. It also has heavier armament with sufficient elevation to engage targets in multi-story buildings.

The choice of the T-55 hull rather than that of a more modern tank was decided as a cost-cutting measure and also probably in order to validate a conversion solution for the many T-55s in use around the world. It was influenced by Israel's IDF Achzarit that created virtually the same modifications in the 80s. However, no export contracts have been signed so far.

The turret can accommodate several weapon configurations: