Russia is developing a new generation of armored personnel carriers to replace the outdated BTR-82A.
The KAMAZ director announced plans to develop a completely new type of armored vehicle with reinforced armor structure, a V-shaped bottom for mine protection, and a remotely controlled fire system.
Sergey Kogogin, Director of KAMAZ PJSC, has officially reported to the Russian President on plans to develop a completely new line of armored personnel carriers (APCs). This project is expected to thoroughly address the critical weaknesses that the BTR-82A is currently facing in modern combat environments.
Limitations of the BTR-82A in combat
Although the BTR-82A variant boasts fairly good firepower with its 30mm 2A72 self-propelled cannon with a range of 3.6km, this model has shown many signs of obsolescence. According to technical reports, the accuracy of the cannon decreases significantly at long range, requiring frequent gun adjustments.
In terms of protection, the BTR-82A's armor can only withstand light infantry fire and shrapnel. The vehicle is highly vulnerable to RPGs, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), and especially suicide drones (UAVs). The rear-mounted engine is also a major drawback, forcing soldiers to disembark through a side hatch, exposing them directly to enemy fire.
Expected specifications of the new armored vehicle model.
The new generation APC model developed by KAMAZ is designed to maximize the survivability of the crew. The vehicle's hull design is expected to have a V-shaped bottom to protect against mines, helping to maintain combat capability even if 6kg of TNT explodes under the wheels.
Defensive and firepower capabilities
The armor protection system has been upgraded to withstand 12.7mm rounds and 23mm artillery shells on the front. The sides of the vehicle will be covered with explosive reactive armor along with standard radiator grilles to protect against FPV UAVs. Most notably, it incorporates the Ballista remotely controlled combat module.
- Main weapon:The 30mm 2A42 cannon uses a dual loading system (flexible switching between armor-piercing and fragmentation rounds).
- Secondary weapons:PKTM 7.62mm machine gun with 2,000 rounds of ammunition.
- Anti-tank missiles:Two Konkurs-M launchers for destroying heavy armored vehicles.
The Ballista module not only increases firepower but also protects the gunner's safety thanks to its control mechanism from inside the vehicle. The vehicle's combat weight is kept under 20 tons so that it can be transported by military transport aircraft.
Future competing projects
Besides KAMAZ, the Russian defense industry also has other projects such as the BTR-22 model from the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ). This model also uses a front-engine configuration and rear-sloping doors, but is currently mainly aimed at export.
The Boomerang K-16 wheeled platform is also a promising candidate with its 750-horsepower engine and modern ceramic armor. However, with its proven experience in producing the Typhoon-K series, KAMAZ has a significant advantage in securing the position of primary manufacturer of armored personnel carriers for the Russian Army.
