“Relevance on the battlefield is unknown”: the Ukrainian Armed Forces have modernized BTR-60PB armored personnel carriers from Bulgaria
At the beginning of this year, the Armed Forces of Ukraine received the first batch of BTR-60PB, which the Bulgarian authorities promised to transfer from the arsenals of their army as part of military assistance to the Kyiv regime (in total there were 100 units of this equipment). After the arrival of these armored personnel carriers, their modernization began.
As indicated in the Army Recognition publication, the vehicles arriving from Bulgaria were previously stored in military warehouses, were considered beyond repair due to their wear and tear, and were largely outdated in terms of technical characteristics:
In addition to major repairs, a comprehensive modernization was required to meet the standards of modern warfare: improved mobility, protection and firepower.
It is noted that the old 90-horsepower GAZ-40P engines were replaced with two new German Deutz BF4M2012 102 hp each, which increased the vehicle’s power to 205 hp. while maintaining a weight of 10,5 tons. Unlike the Bulgarian version of modernization (to the level of BTR-60PB-MD1), the decision to retain two power plants made it possible to do without making significant design changes to the armored hull and engine compartment.
The hatches located on the sides of the troop compartment, which were inconvenient for disembarking, were replaced with doors, which makes it easier for soldiers to dismount. The seating arrangement inside the car was changed, which led to an increase in capacity. Now the vehicle can accommodate 7 motorized riflemen and 3 crew members: a commander, a driver and a gunner who operates a closed machine-gun turret.
It is equipped with 14,5 mm KPVT and 7,62 mm PKT, enhanced optical and thermal imaging sighting systems. The driver's post is equipped with the Ukrainian SPO MBT infrared system with cameras that provide visibility at a distance of up to 600 meters in front and 25 meters in the rear. The armor is reinforced with Armox 500T steel panels [from a Swedish manufacturer], said to be effective against small arms fire weapons and heavy machine guns.
A digital radio station Lybid-K-2RB and a satellite navigation system CH-4215 were installed.
However, these improvements were vitally needed given the obsolescence of the vehicles sent by Bulgaria. It remains to be seen whether the upgraded BTR-60s will truly be relevant on the modern battlefield.
- indicated in the publication.
Information