D
Land ForcesRussia

MT-LBu

Amphibious armored personnel carrierFielded 1974Pending verification
Land ForcesRUS
MT-LBu
Photo: Homoatrox · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeAmphibious armored personnel carrier
Date of introduction1974
ProliferationAt least 25 countries
ManufacturerKharkiv Tractor PlantMed[1]
Crew2Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length7.21 m24 ftMed[1]
Width2.85 m9 ftMed[1]
Height1.91 m6 ftMed[1]
Combat weight11.9 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
EngineYaMZ-238NMed[1]
Engine power300 hpMed[1]
Suspensiontorsion barMed[1]
Cruising range500 km311 mi · 270 nmiMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorThe vehicle is lightly armored against small arms and shell splinters with a thickness of 3 to 10 mm of steel.Med[1]
Turret ArmorIn the centre of the roof there is a big circular opening that is covered with a blanking plate with hatch when no turret is mounted.Med[1]
Applique ArmorAvailableMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYes, The MT-LBu is equipped with an NBC detection device GO-27Med[1]
Fire control
Driver Thermal SightThe driver is provided with a TVN-2 infra-red periscope, which in combination with the OU-3GK infra-red/white light search light provides a range of about 40 m.Med[1]
Variants
MT-LBM (izdeliye 6M)MT-LB modernization developed by Muromteplovoz in the 1990s. It can be fitted with several different turrets.[1]
MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA)MT-LBM fitted with a turret from BTR-80, with a KPVT 14.5mm machine gun and co-axial PKT 7.62mm machine gun.[1]
MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA1)MA armed with additional AGS-17 30 mm automatic grenade launcher.[1]
MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA4)MA1 armed with KPVB 23x115 mm instead of KPVT 14.5 mm heavy machine gun.[1]
MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA2)MA armed with KPVB 23x115 mm instead of KPVT 14.5 mm heavy machine gun.[1]
MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA3)MT-LBM armed with four 9M133 Kornet ATGM launchers, 7.62 mm PKTM tank machine gun and an AGS-30 30 mm automatic grenade launcher.[1]
Summary

The MT-LBu is a vast family of tracked AFVs designed to provide a single versatile platform that could perform almost any role. The design has advanced far beyond its original design as an artillery tractor, and the family can be found performing electronic warfare attacks, air defense, and indirect fire support missions.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
AngolaArmeniaAzerbaijanBangladeshBulgariaEritreaFinlandGeorgiaIraqKazakhstanLithuaniaMoldovaNorth MacedoniaMyanmarMontenegroNigeriaPolandNorth KoreaRussiaSerbiaSwedenSyriaUkraineUruguay
Sources
  1. MT-LBu Russian 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 (CC BY-SA 3.0)