The Ukrainian BTR-3U Guardian

The Ukrainian BTR-3U Guardian IFV
The Ukrainian BTR-3U Guardian

The Ukrainian BTR-3U Guardian Development

The Ukrainian BTR-3U Guardian Infantry Fighting Vehicle has been developed in 2000-2001 by an international consortium. The companies involved in the project include the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau of Ukraine, the ADCOM MANUFACTURING Company Limited WLL of Abu-Dhabi, UAE, and the State Scientific Technical Centre of Artillery & Rifle Arms of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian BTR-3U Guardian Description

The main structure – Design and lay-out principles of the vehicle were determined by the ADCOM MANUFACTURING Company, acting as the whole project coordinator, while the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau was responsible for the development of the chassis and integration of all vehicle systems and weapons on the chassis (development of the designer documentation). The BTR-3U is also designated as the Guardian. Although somewhat similar in appearance to the Russian BTR-80, the BTR-3U is an all-new production vehicle rather than upgrade of the existing in-service vehicle.

The troop compartment – Accommodates six troops who enter and leave the vehicle by a door in either side of the hull. The lower part of the door folds downward to form a step, with the upper part opening forwards. There are also hatches in the roof and firing ports with associated vision devices provided in the sides and front of the vehicle. An air conditioning system is fitted as standard to ensure crew comfort in hot conditions.

The BTR-3U is fitted with the one-person Shkval unified fighting module which accommodates a number of weapon systems including 30mm gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 30mm automatic grenade launcher and anti-tank guided weapons (wire-guided Red Arrow missiles of Chinese origin). The module was developed by the State Scientific Technical Centre of Artillery & Rifle Arms of Ukraine. The Shkval fighting module design is very flexible, which makes it possible to easily replace an existing weapon with another one (e.g. wire-guided Red Arrow missiles with laser-beam riding missiles, etc).

The 30mm dual-feed cannon – has 350 rounds of ready-use ammunition. A total of 2,500 rounds are carried for the 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The 30mm grenade launcher is mounted on the left side of the turret, having 29 rounds of ready-use ammunition, with additional 87 rounds being carried in reserve (three magazines, each containing 29 rounds).

Six 81mm electrically operated smoke/aerosol grenade launchers are mounted three either side of the turret rear and firing forwards.

The sighting systems – Include a commander’s 1PZ-3 observation periscope and a TKN-4S Agat stabilised sight which is integrated with the missile fire control system.

The standard equipment – BTR-3U also includes hydraulically amplified powered steering on the front four road wheels and a central tyre-pressure regulation system that allows the driver to adjust the tyre-pressure to suit the terrain being crossed. The BTR-3U is fitted with French Michelin tyres.

The BTR-3U power pack – Is a Deutz BF6M1015 diesel developing 326 hp coupled to an Allison MD3066 fully-automatic transmission. The power pack and transmission are fitted by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau. The vehicle is fully amphibious, propelled when afloat by a single water jet mounted at the rear of the hull. To prepare the vehicle for water, the driver erects a trim vane and switches on the bilge pumps from within the vehicle. The powerpack compartment is fitted with an automatic double-action fire extinguishing system.

BTR-3U of the UAE Marines

Сrew – 

3 (commander/gunner/driver)
air conditioning systems WEBASTO C6
filter-ventilator unit available
heaters air heaters
fire suppression system automatic

Dimensions –

length 7.6m
width 2.9m
height 2.8m
Weight 16.4tons

BTR-3U of the UAE Marines

Armament –

One-man rotating turret module with two-axis stabilization
30mm Main Gun (350 rounds)
7.62mm MG (2500 rounds)
30mm Grenade launcher (116 rounds)
Konkurs anti-tank guided missile system (4 missiles)

Mobility –

Diesel engine, model DEUTZ with 326hp output
Transmission is  automatic mark ALLISON

Max road speed  85km/h
Max water speed 8km/h
Cruising range (road) 600km

Operational temperature range °C -15…+55
Obstacles: gradient 30% / side slope 25% / vertical obstacle 0.5m / trench 2m

The Ukrainian BTR-3U Guardian Variants

BTR-3U “Okhotnik” – initially known as BTR-94K. As described.
Guardian – version for UAE Marines with “Buran-N1” turret.
BTR-3E – probably with UTD-20 engine.
BTR-3E1 – latest version with BM-3 “Shturm” turret and new engine.
BTR-3E ARV – recovery vehicle with winch, crane and dozer blade

The Ukrainian BTR-3U Guardian Operators

Azerbaijan – 6 BTR-3/12.7
Chad – 8 BTR-3U
Ecuador – 3 BTR-3U ordered
Kazakhstan – 2 BTR-3E
Myanmar – 210 BTR-3U (1,000 ordered)
Nigeria – 30 BTR-3UN, 6 BTR-3UK, 4 BTR-3UR and 7 BTR-3E/14.5
Thailand – 96 BTR-3E1 delivered with the price tag of 4 billion Baht, 120 more on order from the Ukraine. The first 2 of 96 BTR-3E1 have been delivered at U Tapao Airport on 17 September 2010.
United Arab Emirates – 90 Guardians