Russian Armored Divisions: the "Swift Horses of Dan"

[Michael K.]

Editorial Comment:  This article details the numerical strength, equipment and strategic doctrine of Russian armored warfare, as well as techniques used successfully to defeat it.  As the foremost continental land power, with a large theater of warfare, Russia has developed an armored capability with no equivalent on earth.  Although the number of tracks currently in use is smaller than in 1984 at the height of the Cold War, the entire former-Soviet force remains intact in long-term storage where it is maintained in a state of readiness and modernized periodically.




Russian National Bolshevik Party flag; National State Party of Russia flag; Russian National Socialist Party and Northern Alliance flag.

"And Jeremiah does not merely point out his [Antichrist] sudden coming, but he even indicates the tribe from which he shall come where he says 'We shall hear the voice of his swift horses from Dan; the whole earth shall be moved by the voice of the neighing of his galloping horses: he shall also come and devour the earth, and the fulness thereof, the city also, and they that dwell therein.' This, too, is the reason that this tribe is not reckoned in the Apocalypse along with those which are saved." [Irenaeus, "Against Heresies," Book V, Chap. 30]

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http://www.fas.org/irp/dia/product/smp_84_ch3.htm

Over the past two decades, Soviet forces for theater warfare have been steadily expanded and upgraded in every category of weapons systems. Soviet ground force divisions have been enlarged and equipped with the most modern tanks, artillery and helicopters. Soviet naval forces continue to receive larger and more lethal ships and submarines. Soviet air forces are being modernized with high-performance aircraft while theater missile forces receive more accurate systems with greater range and throwweight. In addition to these force enhancements, Soviet military planners adapt tactics to the capability of new systems and changing political objectives.

The Soviets envision as many as three main theaters for the Eurasian land mass: Western, Southern and Far Eastern, each with a set of political objectives affecting military operations within the theater. More importantly in planning for such military operations the Soviets divide a theater, for operational-command and strategic planning purposes, into theaters of military operations (TVDs). Soviet planning for the Western theater, encompassing all of Europe, envisions three continental TVDs - Northwestern, Western and Southwestern - and two maritime, Arctic and Atlantic. This organizational concept enables military planners to formulate military strategy and tactics to achieve political objectives in the geographic region, taking into consideration the capabilities of the missiles, aircraft,ships and ground forces at their disposal. The same planning process occurs for Soviet objectives in the Southern and Far Eastern Theaters.

In the Western TVD, Soviet war aims would be to defeat NATO and occupy Western Europe before it could be reinforced. The Soviets plan for a very rapid, combined arms operation to reach the Atlantic in the shortest time possible. Soviet ground formations hope to achieve a rate of advance of up to 100 kilometers per day. Formations that met stiff resistance would be rapidly reinforced by sec.and echelon forces. The Soviets plan to employ Operational Maneuver Groups (OMGs)in sharp thrusts to destroy enemy forces in depth.

Soviet ground formations are provided with attack helicopters for close air support to maintain rapid momentum. Additionally, transport helicopters and aircraft are provided to inject airmobile and air-assault units rapidly from 50 to 100 kilometers ahead of a main attack to disrupt the enemy, seize key terrain and to support operations by OMGs. Soviet special purpose forces, SPETSNAZ, would be employed throughout Western Europe for reconnaissance, to disrupt communications, destroy bridges, seize choke points and direct attacking aircraft to prime targets. Soviet air, missile and naval forces would all be employed in support of these operations.

The Soviets recognize the importance of nuclear weapons, which can have a direct influence on the course and outcome of a war. They also recognize that the war aims can only be achieved by the combined operations of all forces in a systematic fashion controlled by a centralized strategic command authority. Planning is constantly revised to reflect shifting political objectives as well as the introduction of more capable weapons systems.

In considering the possibility that a conventional conflict in Europe might escalate, the Soviets have developed extensive plans either to preempt a NATO nuclear strike by launching a massive attack, or to launch a massive first strike against prime NATO targets. Soviet ballistic missiles, rockets, nuclear-capable aircraft and artillery could all be employed in a massed strike against a set of targets beginning at the battle line and extending to the depth of the theater. Soviet ground forces have been trained and equipment developed for sustained operations in a nuclear environment. Even after a nuclear exchange, the Soviets expect they could continue their rapid combined arms offensive against NATO.

"Total War!"

While technological improvements to hardware continue throughout the Soviet force, priority is given to the forces opposite NATO, giving them the capability to conduct rapid offensive operations, characterized by shock action, massive firepower and high mobility. Surface-to-air, surface-to-surface missiles, air and air defense assets have already been discussed. Additionally, the Soviets continue to modernize and expand ground equipment such as tanks, artillery and helicopters.

Tanks: The Soviet tank force has been undergoing a major upgrade since the mid 1960s, when the first truly modern post-World War II tank, the T-64, was introduced. The first model of the T-64 was followed by at least one improved version, the T-64A, and several variants of the T-72. The most modern Soviet tank, the T-80, featuring nuclear, biological, and chemical protection and entranced firepower and survivability, is in proportion of these modern tanks, as part of the total Soviet inventory opposite NATO, has occurred. The impact on the most critical area - the one opposite the NATO center - is particularly significant. In this area, T-64, T-72, T-80 tanks comprise about 50 percent of the total. Over 1,400 T-80 tanks have been deployed opposite NATO.

Artillery: The Soviets are pursuing a comprehensive program of upgrading and expanding the artillery fire support available to ground forces. Several new artillery pieces, some of which are nuclear-capable, and new multiple rocket launchers have been introduced in the past few years. Simultaneously, an ongoing divisional reorganization has resulted in increases in the towed and self-propelled artillery assets. The addition of an artillery battalion to tank regiments is intended to make tank and motorized rifle divisions fully capable combined arms forces.

Several developments illustrate Soviet technological improvements to the artillery force. Two new 152-mm guns, one self-propelled and one towed, have been fielded since 1978, and both are deployed with Soviet forces in Eastern Europe. They are nuclear-capable and replace pieces that were not.

As an additional complement to surface-to-surface missiles, the Soviets are continuing deployment of nuclear-capable heavy artillery brigades armed with mobile 240-mm self-propelled mortars and the 203-mm self-propelled guns. Deployment of the 203-mm gun outside the USSR in 1982, coupled with the appearance of the new 152-mm guns in the same year, indicates the importance Soviet doctrine places on capability to deliver low-yield nuclear strikes relatively close to Soviet forces.

A 220-mm multiple rocket launcher has been deployed opposite NATO since 1978. Each mobile launcher has 16 tubes and can fire chemical as well as conventional high explosive munitions.

Helicopters: Soviet helicopter forces are receiving priority attention with continuing upgrades in numbers, units and technology. Divisional helicopter assets continue to increase in number and, overall, the rotary wing force continues to figure prominently in Soviet doctrine and tactics. All major training exercises routinely feature large numbers of helicopters integrated into all facets of combined arms operations. Soviet helicopter forces continue to lead new advances in doctrinal developments, such as airmobile assault forces, and provide major support to other forces, such as the Operational Maneuver Groups. Tactically, they continue to provide significant combat power to Soviet forces operating in Afghanistan.

Soviet combat helicopters are among the most heavily armed in the world - the Mi-24/HIND E and MI-8/HIP E attack helicopters and the MI-8/HIP C and Mi-17/HIP H assault helicopters offer Soviet commanders a considerable degree of flexibility in the application of intense firepower. The Soviets are testing operational concepts in Afghanistan, modifying tactics as the war proceeds. These lessons, while not directly applicable to a European war, would add to Soviet effectiveness in general conflict.

The Soviets continue to develop new systems designed to take advantage of increasingly sophisticated technology. New, more agile, powerful helicopters, such as the HAVOC, with improved armament and significantly improved performance and survivability will ensure the Soviets field a combat effective helicopter force in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

[youtube:14r0o2hn]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VSvdIr_VS4[/youtube]14r0o2hn]


Below is a typical underestimate of Russian land forces, still impressive, which refers only to actively deployed hardware:

http://warfare.ru/?vs=true&title=MAIN-A ... MED-FORCES

BY TYPE OF ARMS:

Artillery: 5393    Tanks: 2480     IFV and APC: 7245

ARTILLERY:  2S19 MSTA-S 152 MM SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER - 468        2S9 NONA / 2S23 NONA-SVK SELF-PROPELLED GUN - 278       2S7M PION SELF-PROPELLED GUN - 37       2S1 GVOZDIKA SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER - 622        2S3 AKATSIA SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER - 955           2S5 GIATSINT - 221       2S4 TULPAN SELF-PROPELLED MORTAR - 25       ZSU SHILKA SELF-PROPELLED ADGM - 133      RAPIRA 100-MM ANTI-TANK GUN - 468       NONA-K - 18       2A36 GIATSINT-B - 188       2A65B MSTA-B - 432       2S12 SANI 120MM TOWED MORTAR - 708       2A18M D-30 - 564       2B14-1 PODNOS 82MM MORTAR - 276
 
TANKS:  T-72 MBT - 990       T-80 MBT - 1224      T-90/S MBT - 266
 
IFV AND APC:  BMD-2 - 849       BMP-3 - 693       BTR-80 - 1152       BTR-70 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER - 95      BMP-1 - 658       BMP-2 - 1824      MT-LB - 1493       BTR-D /RD/ ZD - 280       BMD-1 - 105       GAZ-2975 TIGR ("TIGER") HMV - 96  

HELICOPTERS:  KA-27/29/32 HELIX* NAVAL HELICOPTER - 9      KA-50 HOCUM/ WEREWOLF - 10      KA-52 ALLIGATOR - 8       MI-8 HIP - 389           MI-24/35 HIND - 322      MI-26 HALO - 22      MI-28 HAVOC - 34       ANSAT - 10  

Next is an estimate of Cold War Era Russian armored capability, about ten times the current levels claimed!  This equipment still exists in depots where it is maintained in a ready state.  With conscription the Russian army could return to its former strength in a matter of a few months, as it has never reduced its officer and NCO corps numbers:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Army

In 1990, the Soviet Army possessed:

    55,000 Tanks. Including 4,000 T-80, 10,000 T-72, 9,700 T-64, 11,300 T-62, 19,000 T-54/55, and 1,000 PT-76

    70,000 Armored Personnel Carriers. Including BTR-80, BTR-70, BTR-60, BTR-D, BTR-50, BTR-152, and MT-LB

    24,000 Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Including BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3, BMD-1, BMD-2, and BMD-3

    3,500 BRDM-2 and BRDM-1 reconnaissance vehicles.

    33,000 Towed Artillery Pieces. Including 4,379 D-30, 1,175 M-46, 1,700 D-20, 598 2A65, 1,007 2A36, 857 D-1, 1,693 ML-20, 1,200 M-30, 478 B-4 Howitzers and D-74, D-48, D-44, T-12, and BS-3 Field/Anti-Tank Guns

    9,000 Self-Propelled Howitzers. Including 2,751 2S1, 2,325 2S3, 507 2S5, 347 2S7, 430 2S4, 20 2S19, 108 SpGH DANA, ASU-85, and 2S9

    8,000 Rocket Artillery. Including BM-21, 818 BM-27, 123 BM-30, 18 BM-24, TOS-1, BM-25, and BM-14 Multiple Rocket Launchers
    SS-1 Scud, SS-21, SS-23, and FROG-7 Tactical Ballistic Missiles

    1,350 SA-4, 850 SA-6, 950 SA-8, 430 SA-9, 300 SA-11, 70 SA-12, 860 SA-13, 20 SA-15, 130 SA-19, ZSU-23-4, and ZSU-57-2 Army Air Defense Vehicles

    12,000 Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns. Including ZU-23-2, ZPU-1/2/4, S-60, 72-K, 61-K, 52-K, and KS-19

    4,300 Helicopters. Including 1,420 Mi-24, 600 Mi-2, 1,620 Mi-8, 290 Mi-17, 450 Mi-6, and 50 Mi-26

Finally, a word or two about how to kill Russian armor:

http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/docume ... /rusav.htm

Russian-Manufactured Armored Vehicle Vulnerability in Urban Combat: The Chechnya Experience
by Mr. Lester W. Grau
Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth, KS.

In December 1994, the Russian Army entered the breakaway Republic of Chechnya and attempted to seize the Chechen capital of Grozny from the march. After this attempt failed, the Russian Army spent two months in deliberate house-to-house fighting before finally capturing the city.(1) The dispirited Russian conscript force was badly mauled by the more mature, dedicated Chechen force, and the war drags on to this day. During the first month of the conflict, Russian forces wrote off 225 armored vehicles as nonrepairable battle losses. This represents 10.23% of the armored vehicles initially committed to the campaign. The Russians evacuated some of these 225 hulls to the Kubinka test range for analysis. General-Lieutenant A. Galkin, the head of the Armor Directorate, held a conference on their findings on 20 February 1995. The Minister of Defense attended the conference.(2) The results of the conference convinced the Russian Minister of Defense to stop procuring tanks with gas-turbine engines.(3) Further, the analysis disclosed Chechen anti-armor tactics and the vulnerabilities of Russian armored vehicles in urban combat.

Chechen Anti-armor Techniques

The Chechen forces are armed with Soviet and Russian-produced weapons, and most Chechen fighters served in the Soviet Armed Forces. The Chechen lower-level combat group consists of 15 to 20 personnel subdivided into three or four-man fighting cells. These cells consist of an antitank gunner (normally armed with the RPG-7 or RPG-18 shoulder-fired antitank rocket launcher), a machine gunner and a sniper.(4) Additional personnel serve as ammunition bearers and assistant gunners. Chechen combat groups would deploy these cells as anti-armor hunter-killer teams. The sniper and machine gunner would pin down the supporting infantry while the antitank gunner would engage the armored target. Teams deploy at ground level, in second and third stories, and in basements. Normally five or six hunter-killer teams simultaneously attack a single armored vehicle. Kill shots are generally made against the top, rear and sides of vehicles. Chechens also drop bottles filled with gasoline or jellied fuel on top of vehicles.(5) The Chechen hunter-killer teams try to trap vehicle columns in city streets where destruction of the first and last vehicles will trap the column and allow its total destruction.

The elevation and depression of the Russian main tank guns are incapable of dealing with hunter-killer teams fighting from basements and second or third-story positions and the simultaneous attack from five or six teams negate the effectiveness of the tank's machine guns. The Russians attached ZSU 23-4 and 2S6 track-mounted antiaircraft guns to armored columns to respond to these difficult-to-engage hunter-killer teams.(6)

Initial Russian vehicle losses were due to a combination of inappropriate tactics, underestimation of the opposing force, and a lack of combat readiness. The Russians moved into Grozny without encircling it and sealing it off from reinforcements. They planned to take the city from the march without dismounting. Due to shortages in personnel, the Russian columns consisted of composite units and most personnel carriers traveled with few or no dismounts. These initial columns were decimated.

As the Russians regrouped, they brought in more infantry and began a systematic advance through the city, house by house and block by block. Russian armored vehicle losses dropped off with their change in tactics. Russian infantry moved in front with armored combat vehicles in support or in reserve. Some Russian vehicles were outfitted with a cage of wire mesh mounted some 25-30 centimeters away from the hull armor to defeat the shaped charges of an antitank grenade launcher as well as to protect the vehicle from a Molotov cocktail or bundle of explosives. The Russians began establishing ambushes on approach routes into a selected area and then running vehicles into the area as bait to destroy Chechen hunter-killer teams.(7)

Vulnerabilities of Russian armored vehicles

Shoulder-fired antitank weapons and antitank grenades knocked out the bulk of armored vehicles and each destroyed vehicle took an average of three to six lethal hits.( Fuel cells and engines are favorite aiming points for Chechen antitank gunners. The following illustrations have a grey area imposed which shows the area where 90% of the lethal hits occurred.(9)



The BMD-1 is a personnel carrier assigned to airborne forces. As such, it is lightly armored.

It was vulnerable to front, rear, flanking and top-down fire. The front portion of the turret is reinforced and, consequently, not vulnerable, but the rear of the turret is.



There is more armor on the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle. However, its top armor is weak, its fuel tanks are within the rear doors and the driver's compartment is vulnerable.



The BTR-70 wheeled armored personnel carrier showed many of the same vulnerabilities as the BMD and BMP.





Sixty-two tanks were destroyed in the first month's fighting in Chechnya. Over 98% (apparently 61 tanks) were knocked out by rounds which impacted in areas not protected by reactive armor. The Russians employed the T-72 and T-80 tank in Chechnya. They were both invulnerable to frontal shots, since the front is heavily armored and covered with reactive armor. Kill shots were made at those points where there is no reactive armor--the sides and rear and, on top shots, on the drivers hatch and the rear of the turret and rear deck. Early in the conflict, most Russian tanks went into combat without their reactive armor. They were particularly vulnerable to damaging or lethal frontal hits without it.(10)

Conclusions

The Chechen forces developed effective techniques to defeat Russian armored vehicles on the streets of a large city. Many of their techniques can be adapted by other armed forces which might fight Russian-manufactured armored vehicles (or other types of armored vehicles) in urban combat. These techniques are:

    1.)Organize anti-tank hunter-killer teams which include a machine gunner and a sniper to protect the anti-tank gunner by suppressing infantry which is accompanying the armored vehicles.
    2.)Select anti-armor ambush areas in sections of the city where buildings restrict and canalize the movement of armored vehicles.
    3.)Lay out the ambush in order to seal off vehicles inside the kill zone.
    4.)Use multiple hunter-killer teams to engage armored vehicles from basements, ground level and from second- or third-floor positions. A problem with the RPG-7 and RPG-18 antitank weapons are the backblast, signature and time lapse between shots. The Chechens solved the time lapse problem by engaging each target simultaneously with five or six anti-tank weapons (obvious requirements for a future anti-armor weapon for urban combat is a low-signature, multi-shot, recoil-attenuated, light-weight weapon which can be fired from inside enclosures. The AT-4 and Javelin do not appear to meet these requirements).
    5.)Engage armored targets from the top, rear and sides. Shots against frontal armor protected by reactive armor only serve to expose the gunner.
    6.)Engage accompanying air-defense guns first.

[Michael K.]

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[ada]

Hmm Mike this is nothing compared what usisrael invested in the 3 years with obama.
He raised the debt in 3 years as all us presidents together.
Why,cause he is a real jewish president.
http://endoftheamericandream.com/archiv ... to-believe

We know from Solzhenitsyn what the jews did to russia and especially against the Christian population.
We know that berel lazar may be one of nathan rothschild best friend.
We know that lazar said that Putin should be credited to fight alleged political antisemitism lately...
http://www.fighthatred.com/fighting-hat ... -in-russia

But same what the pope did when he sanctified the "holocaust religion" in 2009.
http://truthisbeauty.wordpress.com/2009 ... lic-dogma/

But how could you be so sure that russia is still the first enemy to consider
when america is on the edge of being taking over by marxism II.    (alinsky,gramscy,neocons)

And what about jewish marxist in china?

[Michael K.]

ada wrote:

But how could you be so sure that russia is still the first enemy to consider
when america is on the edge of being taking over by marxism II. (alinsky,gramscy,neocons)

And what about jewish marxist in china?

In my view, Russia is most certainly the first enemy to consider because they are in the best position to exploit the entire situation geopolitically, economically and militarily.  This is true because Russia has had twenty years of rest and preparation, and starting at a place way ahead of China at that.  It is also true because Russia is self-sufficient in a way China isn't.  

If we take the 'Perestroika" era as an act we realize that only Russia has now got the sympathy of the world as a plucky underdog Nationalism struggling against Western economic oppression.  Russia is also resource rich with land, oil, gas, timber and minerals.  Only in a Eurasian Nationalist alliance led by Russia do we recognize the final configuration guaranteed to bring victory over all of the super-continent, in which Jews already have a prominent place.

China has no such sympathy, since they are very obviously playing the Harlot to the Americans and Jews, participating in financing and supporting the wars of oppression with their debt purchasing and manufacturing.  Yes, they have a military buildup of considerable size, but this is financially dependent on a now failing export trade, and on imported energy sources.  Furthermore, despite the fact that the Chinese seem to imply that they are savvy like Jews about ethno-business cooperation, they see themselves as racially apart from the Jews and are in fact closed to the idea of ultimately being ruled by them.

[Michael K.]

One of Russia's 'peace dividends' has been an opportunity to strip the 19,000 outdated T-54/55 Main Battle Tanks as a chassis to build a new Armored Personnel Carrier meant to provide tank-level armor protection to mechanized infantry supporting MBTs or just operating in the urban environment.  And what do you know the "Israeli" Jews are all over it simultaneously doing the exact same thing at the same time, but separately you know.  

http://www.enemyforces.net/apc/btrt.htm

BTR-T Heavy Armored Personnel Carrier
THE TANK BECOMES AN ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER


The BTR-T most distinguishing feature is its low-silhouette turret mounted on the tank chassis with a platform that mounts a modern gun-missile armament. The BTR-T can be used to transport motorized infantry subunits in eventual NBC and  hostile fire environment and effectively defeat hostile targets.

Extensive  experience gained from combat actions, including local conflicts, dramatically revealed the need to protect the personnel of motorized infantry elements from modern means of destruction.

Existing wheeled vehicles such as the BTR-80 and BRMD, and tracked vehicles like the BMP and MT-LB, cannot always provide protection for troops on the battlefield. While implementing the concept of maximum protection, the Design Bureau of Transport Machine-Building jointly with the Transport Mashine-Building Plant state-run production association developed and manufactured a prototype of the BTR-T heavy armored personnel carrier developed from the T-55 tank capable to fight modern means of destruction on a par with main battle tanks.

The T-55 tanks and their modifications became outdated and cannot be effective in current conditions. They were discarded from the inventory of Russia's Armed Forces. A great number of these tanks were delivered to many countries. And now they can be re-equipped to be used as heavy highly-protected armored personnel carriers.

The plant plans to carry out the modernization of outdated tanks to convert them into BTR-T heavy armored personnel carriers using the customer's production facilities and delivering components from Russia.
 
The BTR-T most distinguishing feature is its low-silhouette turret mounted on the tank chassis with a platform that mounts a modern gun-missile armament. The 30mm automatic gun and Konkurs ATGM are mounted on the turret. Such an armament is able to defeat both lightly armored ground and air targets and heavily armored ground targets.

Reconfiguration of the crew compartments created enough space in the hull to accommodate a commander, driver and five assault troops.

The vehicle's protection is dramatically increased due to installation of a smoke screen generating system, and improved anti-mine and built-in explosive reactive armor (ERA) protection systems.



The crew compartments are equipped with a modern survival system that allows the crew and troops to operate in NBC environment and in any climatic conditions.

Consequently, the BTR-T can be used to transport motorized infantry subunits in eventual NBC and  hostile fire environment and effectively defeat hostile targets.

By implementing the engineering ideas incorporated in the BTR-T design, it is possible to equip  vehicles of this type on the basis of any outdated Russian-made or foreign-made tanks.

 The modular concept of combat compartments will allow manufacturers to equip the BTR-T with various armament systems to meet the customer's requirements.



At customer's request the following armament complexes are available*:  

1. 2A42 automatic gun (caliber 30 mm);
Launcher of Konkurs ATGM (caliber 135 mm ; quantity 2 pcs);

2. 2A42 automatic gun (caliber 30 mm);
AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher (caliber 30 mm);

3. 2A38 twin-barrel submachine gun (caliber 135 mm ; quantity 2 pcs);
 
4. NSV anti-air-machine gun (caliber 12.7 mm);
Launcher of Konkurs ATGM (caliber 135 mm ; quantity 2 pcs);

5. NSV anti-air machine gun (caliber 12.7 mm);
AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher (caliber 30 mm).

* The installation of NATO armament complexes is also available
 

Note that this is being done by Communist "state-run production", but is offered for sale to client states in a Capitalist fashion.  


http://www.military-today.com/apc/btr_t.htm

Usage of the wheeled armored personnel carriers in the global military conflicts exposed their vulnerability to portable anti-tank guided weapons. Armored personnel carriers with quiet weak armored protection become an easy target for any anti-tank missiles or for straight aimed artillery guns. Accordingly the new generation APC should have armor protection similar to the main battle tank, to increase it's survivability in the battlefield.

   Such kind research works were made independently by Russian and by Israeli designers.    Both of them have chosen a based of the T-55 medium tank which is now obsolete and is not suitable to fight on equal terms with modern main battle tanks. By rejecting the T-55's turret with the main gun. Furthermore medium tank received additional armor, which allow the BTR-T to operate alongside with the main battle tanks. Heavy APC has no amphibious capability however it can cross swallow water obstacles with preparation and using specialized equipment.

   The BTR-T heavy armored personnel carrier has an engine compartment in the rear of the hull, while the front and the middle part of the T-55 was rebuilt for driving and combat compartments. Driver's seat is from the left side of the hull. Right side from the driver there is a new low profile turret with the main armament. BTR-T carries 5 fully equipped troops. Troops use hatches in the roof to enter or leave the APC. Unfortunately such design decision will probably lead to casualties in battle.

   Fully enclosed hull of the BTR-T differs from the base T-55 medium tank. Firstly because of the built-in explosive reactive armor panels and additional anti-mine protection. In 30º traverse range Armored Personnel Carrier has armor protection equivalent in 600 mm. Hull boards and chassis elements are covered with steel anti-cumulative screens.

   The BTR-T has a modular armament system. It consists from the low profile 360 degree rotation turret. Interchangeable armament systems are mounted on it. First publicly presented BTR-T variant in 1997 was completed with a 30-mm cannon and Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel) anti-tank guided missile launcher. In addition to this base variant there were developed later armament variants for the BTR-T (according numbers in the picture below):

   - 30-mm canon and AGS-17 30-mm automatic grenade launcher (2);
   - Two twin barrel 30-mm canons (3);
   - 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun and twin-tube Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel) ATGW (4);
   - 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun and AGS-17 30-mm automatic grenade launcher (5).

   All armament variants allow to defeat light armored ground and air targets as well as heavy armored targets. However troops have no ability to use their personal firearms from the inside of the hull as became traditional for Soviet/Russian armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. From the other side this feature allowed to increase hulls armor protection. Vehicle is also fitted with the smoke grenade dischargers placed in the rear part of the hull.

   Rebuilding the T-55 medium tank into the BTR-T, transmission and chassis remained without any changes.

   Vehicle has a maximum road speed of 50 km/h. It fords 1.4 m depth water obstacle without preparation and using special equipment it manages water obstacles up to 5 m depth by moving on tracks under the water. Such results are a record for an ordinary personnel carrier.
The BTR-T is fitted with an NBC protection equipment, radio, internal communication device, fire prevention equipment.