BTR-4 is the first armored personnel carrier completely domestically produced in Ukraine, developed in the early 2000s.
Ukraine’s weapons are gradually asserting market share in Southeast Asia through large value contracts. Inheriting the quintessence of the BTR-80 armored vehicle, Ukraine was more successful than Russia when it launched the BTR-4 variant. Compared to the Russian rival BTR-82A, the BTR-4 is not inferior in weapons, but is more modern in the design of the hull, armor and rear doors. Currently, this line of armor has been exported to Indonesia, Myanmar, Iraq, and Nigeria.
BTR-4 is the first armored personnel carrier completely domestically produced in Ukraine, developed in the early 2000s. Its prototype was unveiled in 2006. It was approved for production and entered service with the Ukrainian Army in 2008. The BTR-4 is a basic vehicle for fast-reaction special forces and marines, able to perform day and night missions in different climatic conditions.
Inspired by the famous Soviet BTR-80 platform, the design of the BTR-4 had revolutionary changes, such as a larger hull, the driver’s and commander’s compartment at the front part of the hull, the engine and transmission compartment in the middle, and the troop compartment at the rear. The troops enter and leave the vehicle either through the rear doors or the roof hatches, and the driver and the commander are provided with doors located on the sides of the hull.
A baseline version of the BTR-4 provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm ball rounds and artillery shell splinters. Other sources report that all-round protection is against 7.62×39 mm armor-piercing rounds and corresponds with STANAG 4569 Level 2. It seems that the front arc withstands 12.7 mm rounds.
The BTR-4 is a more flexible design than the older BTR-60/70/80s as the changed layout makes it easier to adapt the vehicle to specialized roles. The vehicle can be armed according to customer requirements. The prototype is armed with the locally designed New Armament Module which is armed with one 30mm automatic cannon, 7.62mm coaxial machine-gun, up to four 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer anti-tank missiles, and one 30mm automatic grenade launcher. It can also be fitted with different turret modules depending on the needs of the customer.
The BTR-4 is powered by Ukrainian 3TD diesel engine, developing 500 hp. Alternatively this armored vehicle can be fitted with a German Deutz diesel engine, developing 450-600 hp. Vehicle is fitted with a central tyre inflation system, which improves mobility over difficult terrain such as sand, snow or mud. Its maximum road speed is up to 110 km/h, and 10 km/h when swimming. The vehilce has a crew of 3, including commander, gunner and driver. It can carry 7 to 9 troops, depending on the armament module type.
To date, more than 500 vehicles have been produced for all operators. During 2014 Ukrainian military conflict with Russia the BTR-4 APCs were extensively used.
