Czechoslovakian OT-90 APCs in Ukraine
OT-90 armored personnel carrier in the combat zone. Photo by RG
Since 2022, the Czech Republic has transferred a large number of various weapons and military equipment to Ukraine, mostly old and obsolete models. Such assistance continues to this day. Recently, it became known that the Czech army shipped another batch of morally and physically obsolete equipment to Kyiv - OT-90 armored personnel carriers. Such vehicles were built several decades ago on the basis of equipment available in the units.
old new
A few days ago, an interesting video filmed on enemy territory appeared on specialized resources. The short clip showed a new type of armored vehicle that was at the disposal of Ukrainian units. By its characteristic features, it was possible to recognize the Czech tracked armored personnel carrier OT-90.
Only one imported APC has been captured on camera so far. Before being sent to the combat zone, this vehicle received lattice screens designed to increase the level of protection. There are no other visible modifications.
Apparently, the OT-90s came to Ukraine from the Czech Republic. Since 2022, the Czech government has repeatedly transferred armored vehicles of various types to Kyiv, taken from storage or from combat units. Now this list has been expanded with tracked armored personnel carriers.
View from another angle. You can see the turret with weapons and the lattice side screen. Photo RG
It should be noted that the Czech Republic or Ukraine have not previously disclosed their plans regarding the transfer of OT-90 products. The equipment was prepared and transferred to new owners secretly. Its transfer became known only after the first vehicle or vehicles were in the combat zone.
It is not yet known how many APCs the Czech side has shipped. In theory, it is possible to transfer up to several hundred armored vehicles. However, the actual stock of such equipment is questionable - not all OT-90s from storage can be restored and returned to service.
Forced decision
The OT-90 BTR was developed in the early nineties. Its appearance was not connected with the army's development plans, but with new international agreements, restrictions and the desire to save money. This determined the appearance of the new armored vehicle, and also led to certain restrictions.
History The OT-90 dates back to the mid-64s, when Czechoslovakia began producing its own OT-1 SKOT wheeled APC and licensed assembly of the Soviet BMP-1 (under the designation BVP-XNUMX). Thousands of both types of vehicles were built for the needs of its own army, and they were actively used until the collapse of the Warsaw Pact and the division of Czechoslovakia.
BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicle, Czechoslovakian production. Photo Wikimedia Commons
In 1990, the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe was signed. At that time, the Czechoslovakian ground forces did not meet the terms of the agreement. In particular, they had too many infantry fighting vehicles, and the excess equipment had to be removed from service.
In order not to lose operational equipment, an original project for converting the BMP into an APC was developed. It was proposed to mount the fighting compartment from the OT-1 on the BVP-64 chassis. After that, the infantry fighting vehicle would become an armored personnel carrier. At the same time, SKOT products were written off, and the composition of the armored vehicle fleet acquired the desired and acceptable form.
The conversion of the BMP began in the early nineties and was completed after the division of Czechoslovakia. The work was carried out at the PPS Detva plant. Over several years, they managed to convert about 600-620 armored vehicles. The bulk of this equipment later went to the independent Czech Republic. The Slovak army received no more than a hundred.
Later, several armored vehicles for various purposes were developed on the basis of the OT-90. By replacing the standard equipment, a repair and recovery vehicle, a mobile reconnaissance point, an ambulance, etc. were built. For objective reasons, such equipment was not produced in large quantities.
Czechoslovak armored personnel carrier OT-64 in the museum. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The main operator of tracked APCs for several decades was the Czech Army. As service continued, the number of OT-90s was constantly decreasing. By the end of the 25s, only 30-XNUMX vehicles were reported. Slovakia, however, was able to retain almost twice as many.
The Czech Republic tried to sell decommissioned OT-90s, but was unsuccessful. Only one export contract is known. In 2010, Yemen bought only 15 of these APCs. The second foreign recipient has only appeared now, and at the initiative of the Czech Republic itself.
Hybrid armored vehicle
The OT-90 is a tracked combat armored vehicle designed for the transportation and disembarkation of personnel. During combat, it is capable of supporting soldiers with machine gun fire. The APC is built on the basis of existing equipment units, which determined its appearance, characteristics and potential.
The OT-90 is based on the chassis of the BMP-1, licensed Czechoslovakian assembly. During the construction of the new APCs, the original chassis did not undergo any significant changes. In fact, only the turret ring and some internal units had to be redesigned.
Tracked APC OT-90. Photo Militaeraktuell.at
The OT-90 retained the existing armored hull with anti-projectile protection of the frontal projection. The layout remained the same with the forward engine compartment, the fighting compartment in the center and the landing places in the stern. The composition of the power plant, the design of the chassis, as well as the mobility characteristics, remained unchanged.
The OT-90 was equipped with a ready-made turret machine gun mount from the OT-64 armored personnel carrier, similar to the BPU of Soviet armored vehicles. This product had an armored dome several millimeters thick, protecting against bullets and shrapnel. Inside was a twin mount with a 14,5 mm KPVT machine gun and a 7,62 mm PKT. Below the level of the ring were boxes for ammunition. The mount was controlled by one gunner.
The replacement of the fighting compartment led to an understandable reduction in combat performance. The BMP-1/BVP-1 turret was not without its shortcomings, but had obvious advantages over systems with two machine guns. However, the specific nature of the OT-90 project required a sacrifice in fire performance.
Obsolescence
The OT-90 tracked APC helped Czechoslovakia keep its existing armored vehicles in service without violating its commitments. However, from a technical point of view, this project was not very successful. The armored vehicle based on ready-made units had several characteristic shortcomings. In addition, over the past decades, it has become hopelessly obsolete.
OT-90 at demonstration events. Photo Militaeraktuell.at
The OT-90 in its basic configuration does not meet modern requirements for the protection of armored vehicles. The APC protects the crew and troops from small arms fire weapons and fragments, but will not be able to cope with anti-tank systems or strike UAVs. Additional protection in the form of screens is necessary, but it worsens the mobility parameters.
The APC is armed with only two machine guns. Despite all the advantages of the KPVT and PKT products, the OT-90 is inferior to other modern light armored vehicles in terms of firepower. The turret is single-seat and only accommodates the gunner. The commander, who must search for targets and provide target designation to the gunner, is located in the APC hull and has a limited view. This further worsens combat capabilities.
Overall, the OT-90 project cannot be called successful. The proposed redesign of the equipment solved only one problem, and it was of a legal nature. At the same time, the technical characteristics and combat qualities worsened in comparison with the basic equipment. It was also not possible to create a reserve for further improvements.
Help and disposal
Thus, foreign partners have once again transferred to Ukraine long-obsolete equipment with dubious prospects. This step should demonstrate their commitment to the common cause, as well as the desire and ability to continue to help with the supply of military equipment.
At the same time, we are again talking about long-decommissioned armored vehicles. The Czech Republic is simply getting rid of unnecessary equipment that takes up space in storage areas. However, the obsolete models are gradually running out, which should lead to understandable consequences.
Information