View source for BTR-3

{{short description|Eight-wheel drive armored personnel carrier}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

{{Infobox weapon
 |name= BTR-3
 | image= BTR-3, Kyiv 2021, 11.jpg
| image_size = 300
 |caption= Ukrainian BTR-3E1
 |origin=[[Ukraine]]
 |type= [[Armored personnel carrier]]
 |is_vehicle=yes
 |service= 2000–present
 |used_by= [[Ukrainian Ground Forces]]<br/>[[National Guard of Ukraine]]<br/>[[Nigeria]]<ref name="UN arms"/><br/>[[Royal Thai Army]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://defense-update.com/20131106_rt.html|title=Enhancing the Royal Thai Army|date=6 November 2013|access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref><br/>[[Myanmar Army]]<ref name=Maung107 />
 |wars= [[Boko Haram insurgency]]{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}<br/>[[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|War in Donbas]]<br/>[[Internal conflict in Myanmar]]<br>[[2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]]<br>[[Myanmar civil war (2021-present)]]<br>[[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
 |designer=
 |design_date= 2000
 |manufacturer=[[Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau]]
 |unit_cost=
 |production_date= 2001
 |number=
 |variants= See [[#Variants|below]]
 |weight= 16.4 [[tonnes]]
 |length= 7.65 m
 |part_length=
 |width= 2.9 m
 |height= 2.8 m (including turret)
 |diameter=
 |crew= 3 crew (+6 passengers)
 |armour= Welded steel
 |primary_armament= BM-3 Shturm or KBA-105 Shkval with [[30 mm caliber]] ZTM-1 autocannon or Stiletto turret  with 30mm ZTM-2 or 90mm Cockerill CSE 90LP
 |secondary_armament= [[7.62 mm]]
 |engine= [[Deutz AG]]
 |engine_power= 326 hp
 |transmission=
 |payload_capacity=
 |fuel_capacity=
 |pw_ratio=
 |suspension= Wheeled 8×8
 |clearance=
 |vehicle_range= 600 km
 |speed= 85 km/h
 |guidance=
 }}

The '''BTR-3'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/btr-3e1-apc/|title=BTR-3E1 Armoured Personnel Carrier - Army Technology|website=www.army-technology.com|access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/apc/btr_3u.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917022030if_/http://www.military-today.com/apc/btr_3u.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=17 September 2008|title=BTR-3U - Armored personnel carrier|access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> is an [[eight-wheel drive]] [[armored personnel carrier]] developed in 2000 and 2001 by an international consortium. The companies involved in the project include the [[Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau]] of Ukraine, [[Adcom Systems]] of Abu-Dhabi, UAE, and the State Scientific Technical Centre of Artillery & Rifle Arms of Ukraine. Although somewhat similar in appearance to the Soviet [[BTR-80]], the BTR-3U is an all-new production vehicle rather than an update of the existing in-service vehicle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/btr3u.php?menu=m1.php|title=KMDB - BTR-3U Armoured Personnel Carrier|date=6 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606143454/http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/btr3u.php?menu=m1.php|access-date=6 December 2020|archive-date=6 June 2011}}</ref>

== Armament ==

The BTR-3U is fitted with the one-person KBA-105 "Shkval" unified fighting module which can accommodate [[30mm]] gun, [[7.62mm]] coaxial machine gun, [[30 mm caliber#Types of 30 mm ammunition|30mm automatic grenade launcher]] and [[anti-tank]] guided weapons. This module was developed by the State Scientific Technical Centre of Artillery & Rifle Arms of Ukraine. The Shkval fighting module design is versatile, but can also be used with another turret.<ref name="urlARMORED VEHICLES UPGRADE AND UPDATE: UKRAINIAN ACCENT">{{Cite web|url=https://old.defence-ua.com/index.php/en/publications/defense-express-publications/4340-armored-vehicles-upgrade-and-update-ukrainian-accent|title=Armored Vehicles Upgrade And Update: Ukrainian Accent|website=old.defence-ua.com}}</ref>

* The '''Cockerill CSE 90LP''' with 90mm '''Cockerill LP'''
* The KBA-105 one person manned turret  with '''30&nbsp;mm ZTM-1 dual-feed autocannon''' that has 350 rounds of ready-use [[ammunition]] or Stiletto turret with 30mm ZTM-2.
* A total of 2,500 rounds are carried for the '''[[7.62mm|7.62mm coaxial machine gun]]'''.
* The '''30&nbsp;mm AGS-17D grenade launcher''' is mounted on the left side of the turret, having 29 rounds of ready-use ammunition, with additional 87 rounds being carried in reserve (three magazines, each containing 29 rounds).
* Cockerill CPWS 30 turret with 30mm autocannon.
* Six '''81&nbsp;mm [[electrically]] operated [[Smoke grenade|smoke/aerosol grenade]] launchers''' are mounted three either side of the turret rear and firing forwards.
* The sighting systems include a commander's '''1PZ-3 observation [[periscope]]''' and a '''TKN-4S Agat stabilised sight''' which is integrated with the missile fire control system.

BTR-3DA has BM-3M Shturm-M weapon station armed with ZTM-1 30mm autocannon, KT-7,62 machine gun, KBA-117 30mm grenade launcher, six smoke grenade launchers 902B Tucha, and ATGM system, Barrier.<ref name="urlAl-Wahash Armored Personnel Carrier with Shturm Combat Turret at IDEX 2019 – A Joint Project of Ukraine and UAE">{{Cite web|url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/200124/al_wahash-apc-with-shturm-turret:-a-joint-ukraine_uae-project.html|title=Al-Wahash Armored Personnel Carrier with Shturm Combat Turret at IDEX 2019 – A Joint Project of Ukraine and UAE|website=www.defense-aerospace.com}}</ref>

== Equipment design ==

The standard equipment of the BTR-3U also includes [[hydraulically]] amplified [[power steering|powered steering]] on the front four road wheels and a central tire-pressure regulation system that allows the driver to adjust the [[Directional stability|tire-pressure]] to suit the terrain being crossed. The BTR-3U is fitted with French [[Michelin|Michelin tires]].

The BTR-3U engine compartment consists of a [[Deutz AG|Deutz]] BF6M1015 [[Diesel engine|diesel]] developing 326 [[Horse power|hp]] coupled to an [[Allison Transmission|Allison]] MD3066 fully automatic transmission. The power pack and transmission are fitted by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau with the technical assistance of the Deutz AG and the Allison Transmission companies. The engine compartment is fitted with an automatic double-action [[Impulse Fire Extinguishing System|fire extinguishing]] system.

The vehicle is fully [[Amphibious vehicle|amphibious]], propelled when afloat by a single water jet mounted at the rear of the [[chassis|hull]]. To prepare the vehicle for water, the driver erects a trim vane and switches on the [[bilge pumps]] from within the vehicle.

The troop compartment accommodates six soldiers who enter and leave the vehicle by a door in either side of the hull. The lower part of the door folds downward to form a step, with the upper part opening forwards. There are also hatches in the roof and firing ports with associated vision devices provided in the sides and front of the vehicle. An [[air conditioning]] system is fitted as standard to ensure crew comfort in hot conditions.

== Variants ==

[[File:BTR3.jpg|thumb|right|Ukrainian BTR-3E1M in desert camouflage]]

* '''BTR-3U "Hunter"''': initially known as '''BTR-94K'''. As described.
** '''BTR-3U Guardian''': version for [[Military of the United Arab Emirates|UAE Marines]] with "Buran-N1" turret.
* '''BTR-3E''': has a new UTD-20 engine.
** '''BTR-3E1''': latest version with BM-3 "Shturm" turret and new engine MTU 6R106TD21<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kbtz.entercom.ua/ua/production/btr3e1/ |title=Бронетранспортер БТР-3Е1 - КБТЗ |access-date=28 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929081841/http://kbtz.entercom.ua/ua/production/btr3e1/ |archive-date=29 September 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
** '''BTR-3E ARV''': recovery vehicle with winch, crane and dozer blade.
** '''BTR-3E 90''': heavy fire support vehicle with 90mm Cockerill main gun.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cmigroupe.com/upload/press/201302--Heavy-Firepower-for-the-Infantry--CMI-PR.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=22 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224113940/http://www.cmigroupe.com/upload/press/201302--Heavy-Firepower-for-the-Infantry--CMI-PR.pdf |archive-date=24 December 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* '''BTR-3DA''': upgraded version purchased by the Ukrainian armed forces in 2017.<ref name="Janes3DA">{{cite web|last1=Cranny-Evans|first1=Samuel|title=Ukraine to purchase more BTR-3DA IFVs|url=http://www.janes.com/article/75404|website=IHS Jane's 360|access-date=3 January 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180103205150/http://www.janes.com/article/75404/ukraine-to-purchase-more-btr-3da-ifvs|archive-date=3 January 2018|date=2 November 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=BTR-3DA 8X8 APC|url=https://armyrecognition.com/ukraine_ukrainian_army_wheeled_armoured_vehicle/btr-3da_8x8_wheeled_armoured_vehicle_personnel_carrier_apc.html|website=Army Recognition|access-date=3 January 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180103205635/https://armyrecognition.com/ukraine_ukrainian_army_wheeled_armoured_vehicle/btr-3da_8x8_wheeled_armoured_vehicle_personnel_carrier_apc.html|archive-date=3 January 2018|date=31 December 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> BTR-3DA is BM-3M Shturm-M weapon station armed with ZTM-1 30mm autocannon, KT-7,62 machine gun, KBA-117 30mm grenade launcher.<ref name="urlUkrainian air assault brigade tested the BTR-3DA during exercises | July 2019 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2019 | Archive News year">{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/july_2019_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/ukrainian_air_assault_brigade_tested_the_btr-3da_durin_exercises.html|title=Ukrainian air assault brigade tested the BTR-3DA during exercises|website=www.armyrecognition.com}}</ref>
* '''BTR-3KSH''': version of command and control vehicle.

== Operators ==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

[[File:BTR-3 operator map.png|thumb|300px|Map of BTR-3 operators in blue]]

* {{AZE}}: six BTR-3/12.7s<ref>[http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=52414 List of military techniques Azerbaijan acquired over the past 7 years]</ref>
* {{CHA}}: 12 BTR-3Es<ref name=IISS>{{cite book |last=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|date=2021|title=The Military Balance|page=457|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781032012278}}</ref>
* {{ECU}}: three BTR-3Us ordered<ref name="UN arms">{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/disarmament/convarms/register/|title=UN Register of Conventional Arms – UNODA|access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>
* {{KAZ}}: two BTR-3Es <ref name="UN arms"/>
* {{MYA}}: 500+ BTR-3Us in service. 10+ BTR-3Us bought from [[Ukraine]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2020 |date=14 February 2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0367466398 |page=296 |url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance}}</ref><ref>Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948 By Maung Aung Myoe, p107-108</ref> Kyiv signed a US$500 million contract in 2004 to supply 1000 BTR-3U armoured personnel carriers (APCs). Purchased as kits to be assembled locally until 2013. According to Building the Tatmadaw report, the [[Myanmar Army]] was operating more than 500 BTR-3Us as of 2008.<ref name=Maung107>{{cite book|isbn=978-981-230-848-1 |title=Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948|page=107|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272092747|last=Maung|first= Aung Myoe|year=2009|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies }}</ref> According to Amnesty International, the last batch with 368 BTR-3Us was delivered as of January 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.amnesty-eu.org/static/documents/Final_Germany_Burma_China.rtf |title=Archived copy |access-date=21 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929041036/http://www.amnesty-eu.org/static/documents/Final_Germany_Burma_China.rtf |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.dvb.no/news/ukraine-%E2%80%98ceases%E2%80%99-arms-sales-to-burma/13297|title=Ukraine "ceases" arms sales to Burma(Myanmar)|author=JOSEPH ALLCHIN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/june_2014_global_defense_security_news_uk/myanmar_to_manufacture_locally_ukrainian-made_btr-3u_8x8_armoured_vehicle_personnel_carrier_0906143.amp.html|title=Myanmar to manufacture locally Ukrainian-made BTR-3U 8x8 armoured vehicle personnel carrier|author=ArmyRecognition}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=401|title=BTR-3 APC|author=MilitaryFactory}}</ref>
* {{NGR}}: 30 BTR-3UNs, six BTR-3UKs, four BTR-3UR and seven BTR-3E/14.5s<ref name="UN arms"/>
* {{KSA}}: [[General Directorate of Civil Defense]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Mean, Green, And Unseen: Saudi Arabia's BTR-3s |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/05/mean-green-and-unseen-saudi-arabias-btr.html |website=Oryx Blog |access-date=27 June 2022}}</ref>
* {{RUS}}: At least 12 were captured by Russian forces during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Attack On Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The 2022 Russian Invasion Of Ukraine |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-ukrainian.html |website=Oryx Blog |access-date=11 September 2023}}</ref>
* {{SUD}}: Known to operate the BTR-3, at least 4 were confirmed lost during the [[2023 Sudan conflict]] by photographic evidence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Documenting Equipment Losses During The 2023 Sudan Crisis |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/04/sudan-on-fire-documenting-equipment.html}}</ref>
* [[File:Azov in Mariupol 5.jpg|thumb|BTR-3 of the [[National Guard of Ukraine]] [[Azov Regiment|"Azov" Regiment]] ]]{{THA}}: 96 BTR-3E1s delivered with the price tag of 4 billion baht, 120 more on order from Ukraine.<ref>[http://www.segodnya.ua/news/14236218.html Украина выиграла тендер на поставку 200 танков «Оплот» в Таиланд] Segodnya.ua]</ref> The first two out of 96 BTR-3E1s were delivered at U Tapao Airport on 17 September 2010.<ref>[http://www.pattayadailynews.com/th/2010/09/18/%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A-%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B8%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3/ ยูเครนส่งมอบ "รถหุ้มเกราะ" ล็อตแรกถึงไทยแล้ว] www.pattayadailynews.com]</ref>  The second batch of 121 BTR-3E1s with a price tag of 5 billion baht has been ordered by the [[Royal Thai Army]] and 14 BTR-3E1s have been ordered by the [[Royal Thai Navy]] to be used by the [[Royal Thai Marine Corps]] in August 2010 with the MTU Engine and Edison Gear. The Royal Thai Army plans to use the BTR-3E1 as the backbone for one regiment of create the Mobile Infantry regiment which require 288 BTR-3E1s even the first 96 BTR-3E1 would be enough to create only one mobile infantry battalion. The first 96 BTR-3E1s consisted of seven different variants including 64 armoured personnel carriers, four command vehicles, three armoured ambulances, nine 81&nbsp;mm mortar carriers, four 120&nbsp;mm mortar carriers, six BTR-3E1s for ATMS anti-tank rocket unit, and six armoured recovery vehicles. In addition to the first batch of 96 BTR-3E1s, the Ukrainian government has given five BTR-3E1s for free including four armoured personnel carriers and one armoured recovery vehicle, while making a contract for the maintenance of nine BTR-3E1.<ref>[http://www.suthichaiyoon.com/detail/4377 ทบ.ชงซื้อรถหุ้มเกราะยูเครนล็อตสองอีก121คัน] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310144542/http://www.suthichaiyoon.com/detail/4377 |date=10 March 2012 }} www.suthichaiyoon.com]</ref> The batch of 12 BTR-3E1s for the Royal Thai Marine Corps have reached Thung Prong Port in Sattahip on 24 June 2011 and the ceremony has been held on 29 July 2011. These vehicles are to replace the aging [[Cadillac Gage Commando|V-150]] armoured cars, which will be kept in the Reconnaissance Battalion of the Royal Thai Marine Corps before being deployed in three southern provinces.<ref>[http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9540000094054 ยานเกราะล้อยางจากยูเครนถึงไทยแล้ว พร้อมปฏิบัติภารกิจใน 3 จชต.] www.manager.co.th]</ref> Another order for 15 BTR-3E1s and 6 BTR-3RKs was placed by the Royal Thai Army in August 2013.<ref>[http://dmilt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7512:thailand-third-batch-ukrainian-btr-ordered&catid=3:asia&Itemid=56 Thailand; Third batch Ukrainian BTR ordered] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806032554/http://dmilt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7512:thailand-third-batch-ukrainian-btr-ordered&catid=3:asia&Itemid=56 |date=6 August 2013 }} – Dmilt.com, 3 August 2013</ref>{{Update inline|date=March 2022}}
* {{UAE}}: 90 Guardians<ref name="UN arms"/>
* {{UKR}}: 22 BTR-3Es were ordered for the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]] and the [[National Guard of Ukraine]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Yatseniuk: Cabinet of Ministers to allocate Hr 100 million to buy 22 BTR-3Es|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/yatseniuk-cabinet-of-ministers-to-allocate-hr-100-million-to-buy-22-btr-3es-349067.html|access-date=29 Jun 2014|work=Kyiv Post|date=23 May 2014}}</ref> five BTR-3Es were delivered in June 2014,<ref>[http://www.unian.net/politics/933030-natsgvardiya-poluchila-pyat-novyih-btr-3e-kievskogo-bronetankovogo-zavoda-smi.html Нацгвардия получила пять новых БТР-3Е Киевского бронетанкового завода - СМИ] // "[[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|УНИАН]]" от 25 июня 2014</ref> and 50 BTR-3DAs in December 2017.<ref name="Janes3DA"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Ukraine army takes delivery of 50 BTR-3DA 8x8 APC armoured|url=https://armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/ukraine_army_takes_delivery_of_50_btr-3da_8x8_apc_armoured.html|website=Army Recognition|access-date=3 January 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180103205711/https://armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/ukraine_army_takes_delivery_of_50_btr-3da_8x8_apc_armoured.html|archive-date=3 January 2018|date=31 December 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[BTR-7]]
* [[BTR-80]]
* [[BTR-4]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040624045100/http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/btr3u.php?menu=m1.php BTR-3U Armoured Personnel Carrier] at KMDB
* [http://disarmament.un.org/UN_REGISTER.nsf UN register of conventional arms]
* [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/btr-3e1-apc/ BTR-3E1 Armoured Personnel Carrier], Ukraine

{{Modern IFV and APC}}
{{Armoured combat vehicles}}
{{ModernUKRAFVsNav | style= wide }}

[[Category:Amphibious armoured personnel carriers]]
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of Ukraine]]
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Infantry fighting vehicles of the post–Cold War period]]
[[Category:Wheeled armoured personnel carriers]]
[[Category:Wheeled amphibious armoured fighting vehicles]]
[[Category:Eight-wheeled vehicles]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the post–Cold War period]]