Self-propelled mortars of the Armed Forces of Ukraine based on the BTR-3
Armored personnel carrier BTR-3. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
During the battles for the city of Gostomel (Kyiv region), Russian troops took control of one of the Ukrainian military units. Along with this object, numerous trophies were obtained in the form of a variety of weapons and equipment. Among other samples, a self-propelled mortar BTR-3M2 was found - one of the few that were in service with Ukrainian formations.
Rare trophy
The main battles for the city of Gostomel took place in the early days of the Special Military Operation. After their completion, our Ministry of Defense disclosed certain details several times, and also showed the course of the battles and subsequent events. So, on March 21, they published a video with trophies taken along with one of the military units.
Fleeing, the enemy threw a variety of small arms, grenade launchers, MANPADS and ATGMs. Also, various combat vehicles remained on the territory of the taken part, these are Tanks and armored personnel carriers of various models and modifications. In addition, a rare sample was found - a self-propelled mortar BTR-3M2.
In the official form, it is shown that the self-propelled mortar is standing on a certain platform with open hatches. There appears to be no damage other than punctured wheels. A shot of the armored vehicle from the inside is also presented. Inside the case there are all or almost all of the required units. Signs of fire damage are also not visible.
Assembly of self-propelled mortars. Photo btvt.info
At the same time, the main weapon BTR-3M2 in the form of a 120-mm mortar. Perhaps the crew, realizing their position, dismantled it and tried to take it with them. At the same time, the wheeled platform was abandoned, and it went to the advancing troops.
The further fate of the rare armored vehicle remains unknown. It was previously mentioned that captured tanks and other equipment will be transferred to the troops of the DPR and LPR. It is likely that the captured BTR-3M2 will undergo the necessary repairs in the near future, receive a new suitable weapon and continue to serve - but in a different army.
According to known data, Ukraine had only a few BTR-3M2 mortars. The location and condition of one of them is now reliably known. The remaining park, according to various sources, suffered some losses in the past. How many of these machines remain in service, where they are and in what condition they are, is unknown. However, in the current situation, their prospects are obvious.
By foreign order
IN 2007 . The Thai Armed Forces issued an order to the Ukrainian industry for the supply of almost a hundred BTR-3 armored personnel carriers and equipment based on it. In particular, the contract provided for the development and production of a number of 81-mm self-propelled mortars on this chassis. The development of such a product, which received the BTR-3M1 index, was entrusted to the Kiev Armored Plant and the Artillery Design Bureau.
One of the BTR-3M2, built for Thailand and transferred to Ukrainian structures. Photo bmpd.livejournal.com
The self-propelled mortar project was based on the simplest concept and used only available units. However, the development process dragged on for several years. Several first BTR-3M1s were sent to Thailand only in 2010-11, along with other armored vehicles under an existing contract.
According to known data, until 2014 the Ukrainian side handed over to the customer about 9-10 self-propelled mortars. The outbreak of the civil war in the Donbass had practically no effect on the fulfillment of this order, and the assembly of equipment continued. Thanks to this, until 2016 inclusive, Thailand received new armored personnel carriers and mortars.
By that time, Ukraine managed to receive another order from Thailand. The 2011 contract provided for the construction of another 121 armored vehicles. This time, the buyer wished to receive a larger caliber self-propelled mortar. In this regard, Ukrainian enterprises have begun to remake the existing BTR-3M1 for a 120-mm mortar. Such a project was designated BTR-3M2.
It was reported that in the future, Ukraine was able to ship up to eight self-propelled mortars of the M2 version to Thailand. At the same time, a larger number of such machines were actually built - but some of them were not handed over to a foreign customer.
BTR-3M2 on parade. Photo Lostarmour.info
According to The Military Balance, the Thai Armed Forces received 18 BTR-3M1 vehicles with an 81mm mortar and 8 BTR-3M2 vehicles with a 120mm gun. Over the past few years, the fleet of such equipment has not been growing. Its further increase, apparently, is now impossible.
Internal problems
The Ukrainian army showed interest in the BTR-3M1 project almost from the very beginning. Some measures were taken to obtain such technology, but they did not give any results. In 2016, it was reported that the terms of reference from the army had not yet been developed, a prototype had not been built or tested, etc. At the same time, more than 50 million hryvnias were allocated for preliminary work.
In the following years, the situation did not change. Despite all the needs and requirements of the army, work on launching the production of mortars did not start. As a result, not a single BTR-3M1 hit the Ukrainian army.
It is noteworthy that the BTR-3M2 mortars were put into service as early as 2014, but in this case, too, there were problems. Against the backdrop of the outbreak of war, Ukraine decided to arbitrarily appropriate equipment built for foreign customers. In particular, two self-propelled mortars were sent not to Thailand, but to their own National Guard. According to various sources, in the future, several more such machines were assembled for their own needs.
Trophy BTR-3M2 from Gostomel. Frame from the video from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
A few BTR-3M2s have repeatedly appeared in Ukrainian parades. In addition, they were used in a punitive operation in the Donbass. One of these vehicles recently participated in the battles for Gostomel, where it eventually became a trophy for the Russian army. The location of other products is not yet known, but may soon become clear.
From available components
The BTR-3M1 and BTR-3M2 projects were based on an extremely simple idea and therefore did not differ in technical complexity. The basis for them was the serial BTR-3 with a number of important changes. The armored personnel carrier retained the main part of the reservation, the power plant and chassis. At the same time, the fighting compartment with the turret and regular landing sites in the center of the hull were removed.
The front part of the hull was supplemented with a superstructure with box-shaped onboard units. A large opening with hinged lids was made in its roof. Under this hatch was a movable base for a mortar. A pivot installation with a shield for a heavy machine gun was placed in front of the hatch. Mountings were provided on the sides of the hull for transporting the base plate and bipedal - if necessary, the mortar could be removed and used separately.
The BTR-3M1 combat vehicle was equipped with the KBA48M mortar, a Ukrainian modification of the Soviet 2B14. Due to some changes in the design and the use of new materials, it was possible to reduce the weight. Modifications were offered in the original 82 mm caliber and an export 81 mm version. The combat qualities remained at the same level - the maximum firing range is up to 3900 m and the rate of fire is up to 20-22 rds / min. Ammunition on board the vehicle - 80 shots.
The interior of the trophy car. View through the starboard hatch. Frame from the video from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The BTR-3M2 project proposed the refinement of the M1 product by replacing weapons and did not provide for other significant changes. It used the Ukrainian version of the Soviet mortar 2B11 caliber 120 mm. Carried ammunition was reduced to 40 rounds. The firing range has increased to 7100 m. The rate of fire is 13-15 rds / min.
No prospects
Thus, self-propelled mortars BTR-3M1 / M2 are typical modern equipment of their class, built on available components. They are quite capable of solving all the main tasks: moving between positions, firing at designated targets and quickly moving away from a retaliatory strike.
At the same time, not the newest and most advanced components were used in two Ukrainian projects. In addition, they lacked interesting or innovative solutions. Finally, the Ukrainian army received only a few combat vehicles. Even against the background of limited orders from Thailand, such supplies looked insufficient.
As a result, the Ukrainian armed formations were never able to obtain modern self-propelled mortars in sufficient quantities, which led to a logical outcome. Only a few BTR-3M2s helped the National Guard to terrorize the population of Donbass, but they proved useless against the Russian army. According to the results of the first battle, the armored car available in Gostomel changed owners, and all the others may soon follow.
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