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Land ForcesRussia

BTR-80

8x8 amphibious armored personnel carrierFielded 1984Pending verification
Land ForcesRUS
BTR-80
Photo: U.S. Army photo by Capt. Anthony Kapelka · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
Type8x8 amphibious armored personnel carrier
Date of introduction1984
ProliferationAt least 33 countries
Configuration8 X 8Med[1]
ManufacturerArzamas Machine-Building Plant, Nizhniy NovgorodMed[1]
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length7.65 m25 ftMed[1]
Width2.9 m10 ftMed[1]
Height2.46 m8 ftMed[1]
Combat weight13.6 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
EngineYaMZ-238M2Med[1]
Engine power140 hpMed[1]
Suspensiontorsion bar with hydraulic shock-absorbersMed[1]
Cruising range600 km373 mi · 324 nmiMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorThe front of the vehicle is resistant to 12.7 mm rounds from an M2 at a range of 200 m, while the sides of the vehicle are resistant to 7.62 mm AP rounds. The hull is not thought to exceed 10 mm in thickness, however the majority of the armMed[1]
Turret ArmorProtection against 12.7mm and shrapnel.Med[1]
Applique ArmorIt is possible to fit additional armor to the front of the BTR-80, which provides protection against 14.5 mm rounds and some resistance to blast damage. However this would likely have a significant impact on the platform’s mobility.Med[1]
Explosive reactive armorAvailable, Other armour kits have included ERA, thought to be added in the field by the crews in an effort to counter the effects of RPGs.Med[1]
NBC ProtectionYes, CollectiveMed[1]
Smoke Equipment6 × 81 mm smoke grenade launcher (2 × 3)Med[1]
Armament
Secondary armament1 x PKT (Kalashnikov's Machine Gun) 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine GunMed[1]
Variants
BTR-80 (GAZ-5903)The BTR-80 is the basic variant of the BTR-80 family, and it is from this vehicle that all other variants stem. It was designed to transport motor rifle units and provide them with limited fire support in combat.[1]
BTR-80A (GAZ-59034)The BTR-80A effectively turns the BTR-80 into an IVF through the addition of a turret-mounted 30 mm cannon.[1]
BTR-80SThe BTR-80S is the designation given to the BTR-80 in service with RFAS (CIS) MVD Internal Security troops.[1]
BTR-80K (GAZ-59031)The BTR-80K is a command vehicle for control and communication with local sections or formations up to battalion level.[1]
BTR-80AKThe BTR-80AK is a command variant of the BTR-80A. It is thought to carry the same C2 equipment as detailed under the BTR-80K as well as the turret-mounted cannon.[1]
BTR-82The BTR-82 is an interim upgrade of the BTR-80, designed to take account of modern developments in the field of asymmetrical warfare.[1]
Summary

The BTR-80 is an 8×8 wheeled amphibious armored personnel carrier (APC) designed in the USSR. The BTR-80 is a modern, lightly armored vehicle with a diesel power plant. It is manufactured at the Gorkiy Automobile Factory in Nizhniy Novgorod and has been in service since the early 1980s.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
AngolaArmeniaAzerbaijanBangladeshBelarusColombiaDjiboutiAlgeriaEstoniaGeorgiaHungaryIndonesiaIraqKazakhstanKyrgyzstanSri LankaMoldovaNorth MacedoniaMongoliaPakistanNorth KoreaRussiaSudanSyriaChadTajikistanTurkmenistanTürkiyeUgandaUkraineUzbekistanVenezuela
Sources
  1. BTR-80 Russian 8x8 Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (Public domain)