BTR-4

Quality 0.50 · 2 views · Updated 2 months ago

title: "BTR-4" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["amphibious-armoured-personnel-carriers", "armoured-personnel-carriers-of-ukraine", "police-vehicles", "wheeled-armoured-personnel-carriers", "wheeled-amphibious-armoured-fighting-vehicles", "eight-wheeled-vehicles", "infantry-fighting-vehicles-of-the-post–cold-war-period", "military-vehicles-introduced-in-the-2000s", "armoured-personnel-carriers-of-the-post–cold-war-period", "wheeled-infantry-fighting-vehicles"] topic_path: "history/military" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTR-4" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]

FieldValue
nameBTR-4
imageBTR-4E in Kyiv.jpg
image_size300
captionBTR-4E
originUkraine
type
is_vehicleyes
service
used_bySee Operators
wars
*International military intervention against ISIL{{Cite weburl
designer
manufacturerKharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau
variants
weight
length7.76 m
width2.93 m
height3.02 m
crew
armour
primary_armament2A72 30 mm autocannon
secondary_armament
engine3TD diesel engine or DEUTZ EURO III
engine_power489 hp or 598
pw_ratio
suspensionwheeled 8×8
vehicle_rangeat least 690 km
speed
::

| name = BTR-4 | image = BTR-4E in Kyiv.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = BTR-4E | origin = Ukraine | type = Infantry fighting vehicle | is_vehicle = yes | service = 2014present | used_by = See Operators | wars =

The BTR-4 "Bucephalus" (, abbreviation of ) is an amphibious 8×8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) designed in Ukraine by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau (SOE KMDB).

They have seen action in the War against the Islamic State during the capture of Jurf al-Nasr and Ar-Rutbah from ISIL and in the Russo-Ukrainian War.

History

The prototype, which was designed as a private venture, was unveiled at the Aviasvit 2006 exhibition held in Kyiv in June 2006. A serial production started in late 2008. The first series of ten BTRs entered service with the army of Ukraine in 2009. In 2009, the BTR-4 was presented as a candidate for replacing the Pegaso BMR as the next infantry combat vehicle of the Spanish Army.

In 2012, the Iraqi Ministry of Defence ordered 420 Ukrainian BTR-4E IFVs. However, only 88 vehicles were delivered from the order, as the Iraqi Ministry of Defense cancelled the contract due to quality issues. The Ukrainian army thus took over 52 BTR-4E IFVs originally intended for Iraq.

In April 2014, units of the National Guard of Ukraine received their first BTR-4E IFVs, and during late May and early June they were already involved in the siege of Sloviansk, which was liberated on 5 July 2014, with the separatists and Russians withdrawing to Donetsk. During the fighting at Sloviansk, soldiers praised the new BTR-4E, especially for its armour, mobility, and optics. Vehicles withstood enemy machine gun fire and RPGs, and the slat-armor and Kevlar layer also protected the crews from shrapnel. On October 4, 2014, separatists posted a photo of a captured Ukrainian BTR-4K, a commander's version of the BTR-4. The vehicle had a slat-armor and was repainted. It served with the Vostok Battalion, which was composed mainly of Russian GRU officers.

Description

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/BTR-4MV_01.jpg" caption="A BTR-4MV1"] ::

The layout of the BTR-4 represents a change from the older BTR-60/70/80s designed in the Soviet Union. The vehicle has a conventional layout similar to Western designs like the German TPz Fuchs with the driver's and commander's compartment at the front 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.

The BTR-4 is a more flexible design than the older BTR-60/70/80s, as the altered 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 consists of one 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine-gun, up to four 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer anti-tank missiles (two on each side of the turret), and one 30mm automatic grenade launcher (fitted in place of the AT missiles on one left-hand side of the turret). It can be fitted with different turret weapons modules including the GROM module, PARUS module, SHTURM-M module, SHKVAL module, and the BAU 23x2 module.

The BTR-4 has a maximum speed of 110 km/h. It can cross water obstacles at a speed of 10 km/h. The vehicle is powered by a 3TD diesel engine with 500 hp. There are reports of vehicles being hit by several RPG rounds and multiple small-arms fire with no consequences. Slat armor can be fitted for maximum protection against RPG attacks.

Ukrainian state defense manufacturer UkrOboronProm has unveiled a prototype wheeled armored fighting vehicle that is presently known as the BTR-4MV1. The new BTR-4MV1 is the latest generation of 8×8 IFV. The BTR-4MV1 is designed in accordance with NATO standards. The vehicle is based on the BTR-4 but with many new improvements.

It differs from the previous versions mostly in a modified configuration of the vehicle's hull, which makes it possible to install additional types of protection (including the ceramic plates and explosive reactive armor) to reach the fourth and fifth protection levels in accordance with NATO standards. The hull rear is fitted with a ramp that not only enables troopers to enter and leave the vehicle much quicker, but also enables the armored personnel carrier to transport various large-size cargoes, including additional ammunition, spare parts, etc.

Service history

Up to 750 vehicles have been produced for all operators. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/171201-Z-EL858-193.jpg" caption="A BTR-4 assigned to 1st Battalion, [[92nd Mechanized Brigade]], Ukrainian Armed Forces"] ::

Indonesia

During early trials and evaluation by the Indonesian Marine Corps, the BTR-4 has successfully passed the trials in Indonesia. In April 2017, it was reported that the Indonesian Marine Corps had prepared a formal letter to withdraw from any further acquisitions of the BTR-4, though according to Ukroboronprom the news are part of informational warfare and black PR.

Iraq

Iraq has ordered 450 BTR-4s. 40 vehicles of the third batch delivered arrived with rust and damaged hulls and were not accepted by Iraq.

The Iraqi army used BTR-4s in an operation to recapture Jurf Al Sakhar from ISIL forces on 24 October 2014, successfully repelling two road-side ambushes. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/Подбитая_техника_ВСУ_001.png" caption="A Ukrainian BTR-4 lost during the Russian invasion of Ukraine"] ::

Nigeria

50 BTR-4s were delivered to the Nigerian Army in 2014.

Ukraine

Some BTR-4s that are being used by Ukrainian armed forces in the Russo-Ukrainian War come from the rejected batch for the Iraqi army.

In June 2014, company officials revealed that the BTR-4E was being used in military operations in the Sloviansk area. Its armor had withstood hits from large-caliber machine guns, counter-HEAT side screens protected the crew from anti-tank grenade launchers, and armored glass sustained direct hits from sniper rifles. Their original desert camo as seen on Iraqi BTR-4s can be viewed in pictures and videos from ATO operations. The BTR-4 continues to see use during the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Azov_in_Mariupol_3.jpg" caption="BTR-4 of the [[Azov Regiment"] ::

Versions

BTR-4 is available in multiple different configurations: ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/BTR-4_silhouette.png" caption="A BTR-4 with a Grom module"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/BSEM-4K_silhouette.jpg" caption="Retrieving And Medical Vehicle BSEM-4K"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/BREM-4K_silhouette.jpg" caption="Repair and Recovery Vehicle BREM-4K"] ::

  • BRM-4K - reconnaissance vehicle
  • BTR-4K - command vehicle
  • BTR-4KSh - command and staff vehicle
  • BTR-4E1
  • BTR-4MV
  • BTR-4MV1 - upgraded to NATO standard with increased protection
  • MOP-4K - fire support vehicle
  • BREM-4K - repair and recovery vehicle
  • BSEM-4K - recovery and medical vehicle
  • BMM-4A - apparently similar in role to the BMM-1 (BTR-80 family) [first-aid and battlefield evacuation vehicle]
  • BMM-4B - apparently similar in role to the BMM-2 (BTR-80 family) [battalion level initial medical treatment vehicle]
  • BMM-4C - apparently similar in role to the BMM-3 (BTR-80 family) [field hospital]

Weapons modules

Standard module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3× crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8× soldiers (7× soldiers in up-armored version)
  • Armament:
    • 1× 30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon
    • 1× 7.62 mm coaxial machinegun
    • 4× 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer AT missiles (optional 1× 30 mm automatic grenade launcher with reduction to 2× AT missiles)

GROM module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3× crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8× soldiers
  • Armament:
    • 1× 30 mm automatic cannon
    • 1× 30 mm automatic grenade launcher
    • 1× 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
    • 4× 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer AT missiles

SHKVAL module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3× crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8× soldiers
  • Armament:
    • 1× 30 mm automatic cannon
    • 1× 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
    • 4× 9P135M Konkurs or Baryer AT missiles (optional 1× 30 mm automatic grenade launcher with reduction to 2× AT missiles)

BAU 23×2 module:

  • Passengers:
    • 3× crew (driver, commander, gunner)
    • 8× soldiers
  • Armament:
    • 2× 23×152 mm automatic cannons
    • 1× 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun

BTR-4KSh command and staff vehicle:

  • Passengers:
    • 2× crew (driver, vehicle commander)
    • 5× staff (commander, four officers)
  • Armament:
    • 1× TKB-01-1 12.7 mm machine gun

MOP-4K fire support vehicle:

  • Passengers:
    • 4× crew (driver, commander, gunner, loader)
  • Armament:
    • 1× 120 mm cannon
    • 1× 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun (turret ring mount)

Operators

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/BTR-4_operators.png" caption="A map of BTR-4 operators in 2023"] ::

Current operators

  • Indonesia — The Indonesian Marine Corps ordered 5 BTR-4M with two vehicles with the BM-7 "Parus" turret with a 30-mm ZTM-1 automatic gun and 3 with 7.62 mm RCWS and began operating them in May 2017. Subsequent orders for 55 vehicles were cancelled due to unsatisfactory performance. In April 2019, an order was made for 21 BT-3F and 22 BMP-3F vehicles instead.
  • — The Iraqi Ministry of Defence ordered 420 vehicles in 2012. Only 88 out of an order for 420 were delivered by late 2013 and the contract has been canceled due to numerous quality violations. According to Ukraine the contract was resumed and as of September 2018 Iraq operates 270 vehicles.
  • Nigeria — 5 BTR-4 for the Nigerian Police.

:* Armed Forces of Ukraine — Ukraine's Ministry of Defence made an initial order of 10 vehicles that entered service in 2009.105 BTR-4 and BTR-4E in service in Army and National Guards units. :* Ministry of Internal Affairs — since 25 March 2014, 10 vehicles were transferred to the recently reconstituted National Guard of Ukraine. There were 40 vehicles delivered to NGU until July 2014.

  • — In March 2019, a Ukrainian company and the Myanmar military signed a joint-venture agreement to build a plant capable of manufacturing armored personnel carriers (APCs) and self-propelled howitzers. The types of APCs that will be made in the plant are said to be eight-wheeled BTR-4E.
  • — As 14 April 2025, at least 21 were captured by Russian forces during the Russian invasion of Ukraine according to the Oryx.

Potential operators

  • Republic of North Macedonia — The tender for the Republic of North Macedonia Ground Forces is for an infantry wheeled vehicle, for replacement of the current BTR-60 and BTR-70 fleet. The estimated order can reach 200 units.
  • — The Royal Thai Marine Corps reportedly showed interest in the BTR-4MV1 in October 2018.

Captures

  • Islamic State — 3 vehicles were seized by ISIL. 2 were captured from Iraqi Forces around October 2016 after ISIL conducted an offensive to retake the town of Ar-Rutbah where they were driven out. The other one was captured at an unknown location and date.
  • ISIL ISWAP — In April 2021, ISWAP captured a BTR-4EN variant from soldiers of the Nigerian Army's "156 Battalion" during the Mainok attack where they conducted an assault on a military base located in Mainok.

References

References

  1. "The BTR-4 in action with the Iraqi Army near Fallujah. - Today news from war on ISIS in English from Somalia, Egypt, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria - Deir ez-Zur operation - isis.liveuamap.com".
  2. "BTR-4 wheeled armoured personnel carrier vehicle Ukrainian Army Ukraine description pictures technic | Ukraine Ukrainian army wheeled armoured vehicle | Ukrainian Ukraine army military equipment UK".
  3. "BTR-4 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier - Ukraine".
  4. ''Informacje'' in: "Raport - Wojsko Technika Obronność" Nr. 12/2008, p. 69 (pl icon)
  5. Infodefensa.com. (4 October 2009). "Ucrania oferta el BTR-4 como candidato al VBR 8x8 español - Noticias Infodefensa España". Infodefensa.com.
  6. Administrator. "BTR-4E 8x8 armoured vehicle APC personnel carrier IFV technical data {{!}} Ukraine Ukrainian army wheeled armoured vehicle {{!}} Ukrainian Ukraine army military equipment UK".
  7. "Ukrainian military recaptured BTR-4E from the Russians in Kharkiv region".
  8. "BTR-4 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)".
  9. "BTR-4MV1".
  10. "ARMOURED VEHICLES AND ARMAMENT".
  11. "Ukrainian BTR-4M Successfully Passed Trials In Indonesia".
  12. (26 May 2017). "Indonesian Marines has started using Ukrainian BTR-4M".
  13. [http://www.janes.com/article/69391/indonesian-marine-corps-prepares-to-pull-plug-on-further-btr-4-acquisitions Indonesian Marine Corps prepares to pull plug on further BTR-4 acquisitions] {{Webarchive. link. (27 September 2017 - Janes.com, 7 April 2017)
  14. (11 April 2017). "Відмова Індонезії від українських БТР-4 – черговий фейк інформаційної війни".
  15. (6 April 2014). "Good Bad News: 100 APCs for Ukraine". Defense Industry Daily.
  16. "BTR-4 - militarytechcooperations".
  17. "Iraqi BTR-4 shipment heads back to Ukraine".
  18. (26 November 2014). "Led by an Armored Bulldozer, Shia Militia Fought to Restore Their Credibility". Medium.com.
  19. [http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_2014_global_defense_security_news_uk/ukrainian_btr-4_8x8_armoured_personnel_carrier_used_during_anti-terrorist_operation_in_sloviansk.html Ukrainian BTR-4 8x8 armoured personnel carrier used during anti-terrorist operation in Sloviansk] {{Webarchive. link. (14 January 2015 - Armyrecognition.com, 5 June 2014)
  20. "Ukraine National Guard to receive BTR-4s".
  21. {{usurped
  22. "ODIN - OE Data Integration Network".
  23. [http://www.armyrecognition.com/january_2014_global_defense_security_news_industry/spetstechnoexport_of_ukraine_awarded_contract_to_supply_5_btr-4_8x8_armoured_to_indonesia_2401143.html SpetsTechnoExport of Ukraine awarded contract to supply 5 BTR-4 8x8 armoured to Indonesia] {{Webarchive. link. (13 May 2016 - Armyrecognition.com, 24 January 2014.)
  24. Ziyadi, A.. (8 April 2017). "TNI AL Batalkan Pembelian Tank BTR-4".
  25. "Indonesia buys BT-3F and BMP-3F armored vehicles from Russia".
  26. (10 October 2012). "Ukraine, Iraq in $2.5 Bn Weapons Deal". Defenseindustrydaily.com.
  27. Guy Martin. "Recent Nigerian military acquisitions".
  28. "Лента новостей : ALL.BIZ: Украина". Ua.all-biz.info.
  29. MIlitary balance 2022 p.212-214
  30. [https://economics.unian.info/10317528-ukrainian-army-gets-first-btr-4-apcs-made-of-new-ukrainian-armored-steel-photo.html Ukrainian Army gets first BTR-4 APCs made of new Ukrainian armored steel (Photo)] {{Webarchive. link. (30 October 2018 , [[UNIAN]] (30 October 2018))
  31. "''Ранее государство закупило для нужд Нацгвардии 40 новейших БТР-4 в Харькове''"
    [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] {{Webarchive. link. (11 October 2014 // "[[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency). УНИАН]]" от 25 июня 2014
  32. "Joint venture to supply Ukrainian APCs to Myanmar army".
  33. "Attack On Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The 2022 Russian Invasion Of Ukraine".
  34. (5 August 2011). "Kyiv Post. Independence. Community. Trust - Ukraine - Macedonia 'interested' in Ukraine's advanced light armored vehicles".
  35. (12 October 2018). "Thailand interested in new BTR-4 variant, says Ukrainian agency".
  36. (2024-05-25). "Iraq: ISIS with a captured Ukraine-made BTR-4 APC at Rutbah - Today news from war on Daesh, ISIS in English from Somalia, Egypt, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria - isis.liveuamap.com".
  37. (2014-09-22). "Vehicles And Equipment Captured And Destroyed By The Islamic State Inside Iraq Until November 2014 - Oryx".
  38. "ИГИЛовцы захватили БТР украинского производства — ФОТО+ВИДЕО — Новая Эпоха".
  39. (2021-08-29). "Despite Nigerian Army denials, ISWAP releases photos of armoured tanks, operational vehicles captured from Mainok - Ripples Nigeria".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

amphibious-armoured-personnel-carriersarmoured-personnel-carriers-of-ukrainepolice-vehicleswheeled-armoured-personnel-carrierswheeled-amphibious-armoured-fighting-vehicleseight-wheeled-vehiclesinfantry-fighting-vehicles-of-the-post–cold-war-periodmilitary-vehicles-introduced-in-the-2000sarmoured-personnel-carriers-of-the-post–cold-war-periodwheeled-infantry-fighting-vehicles