Russia Ships BTR-22 8×8 Armored Combat Vehicle and C2 Systems to Saudi Arabia Ahead of WDS 2026.

Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has delivered several wheeled armored and command-and-control platforms to Saudi Arabia for display at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh. The move highlights Moscow’s push to market network-enabled land warfare systems to Middle Eastern and international defense buyers.

On January 29, 2026, Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state arms export agency, shipped a set of new wheeled armored and battlefield management vehicles to Saudi Arabia ahead of the World Defense Show 2026, scheduled to take place from February 8 to 12 in Riyadh. The display package includes the BTR-22 8x8 wheeled armored combat vehicle, the BMDU Ballista combat command vehicle, and the Planshet-A wheeled artillery command post, all presented as part of Russia’s broader land warfare and digital command-and-control portfolio for export customers.
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A Russian BTR-22 8x8 wheeled armored combat vehicle is shown next to a Planshet-A wheeled artillery command post, with the inset depicting a Ballista remotely operated weapon station delivered by Rosoboronexport for World Defense Show 2026. (Picture source: X Channel @OSINTWarfare) 

The BTR-22 is currently undergoing testing and evaluation by the Russian Ground Forces and is positioned as a potential replacement for the long-serving BTR-80 and BTR-82 family of wheeled armored personnel carriers. Developed by the Military Industrial Company (VPK), the vehicle reflects a departure from traditional Soviet-era BTR layouts. The engine is relocated to the front of the hull, allowing for a rear troop compartment equipped with full-width access doors. This configuration is intended to improve troop survivability during embarkation and dismount, particularly in contested environments. The overall design shows influences commonly associated with Western 8x8 armored vehicles, a trend that has become more visible in recent Russian wheeled vehicle projects.

In terms of size and weight, the BTR-22 is reported to be approximately 7.6 meters long, under 3 meters wide, and around 3 meters high, with an estimated combat weight of roughly 20 tons. These figures place it well below the larger VPK-7829 Bumerang platform, which has a reported combat weight of about 34 tons and whose development progress has remained limited in public reporting. Russian sources have indicated that the smaller size and lower weight of the BTR-22 are intended to simplify production and logistics, allowing for faster replacement of legacy vehicles still in widespread service.

The BTR-22 is designed with a modular armament concept. Vehicles displayed at the Army-2023 International Military-Technical Forum were fitted with a remotely operated weapon station mounting a 30 mm automatic cannon, commonly identified as the 2A72, paired with a coaxial machine gun. Russian statements have also referenced compatibility with the higher-rate-of-fire 2A42 cannon, heavier PKT-family machine guns, and the potential integration of Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles. This range of options suggests that the platform is intended to cover both infantry transport and fire support roles, depending on mission requirements and customer preferences.

Alongside the BTR-22, Rosoboronexport is presenting systems focused on command, control, and coordination at the tactical level. The BMDU Ballista is designed as a mobile combat command vehicle for combined arms units. Mounted on a wheeled armored chassis, it integrates secure communications, battlefield management software, and data exchange capabilities with unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery units. The system is intended to support commanders by providing a mobile platform capable of operating closer to the forward edge of the battlefield while maintaining connectivity with subordinate and supporting elements.

The Planshet-A wheeled artillery command post addresses similar requirements but with a specific focus on artillery fire control. Developed to automate the processing of target data and firing solutions, Planshet-A can receive inputs from forward observers, drones, and counterbattery radar systems. It then calculates firing data and transmits digital fire missions to tube and rocket artillery units. Russian technical material indicates that the system is designed to reduce engagement timelines and support the employment of precision-guided munitions, reflecting a broader shift toward digitally enabled artillery operations.

The combination of armored transport and command vehicles reflects lessons drawn from recent conflicts, where survivability, rapid decision-making, and coordination across multiple domains have become increasingly important. Wheeled platforms offer advantages in strategic and operational mobility, particularly in large theaters and regions with developed road networks.

The presentation of these systems in Riyadh also highlights Rosoboronexport’s export strategy in the Middle East. The region remains a significant market for wheeled armored vehicles and command systems adapted to desert conditions, high temperatures, and long-distance operations. By showcasing platforms positioned as cost-effective and modular, Russia seeks to remain competitive in a market dominated by U.S., European, and increasingly regional defense manufacturers, while offering alternatives aligned with different procurement and operational philosophies.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.