The Kurganets-25 BTR is the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) variant of the Kurganets platform designed, developed and manufactures by the Russian Defense Company Kurgan Machine-Building Plant to create a new family of light tracked armoured vehicle. The Kurganets platform was unveiled for the first time during a closed showing for the Russian leadership at the defense exhibition Russian Arms Expo 2013 in Nizhny Tagil. The Kurganets-25 BTR was showed for the first time to the public during the military parade of the Victory Day in Moscow, May 9, 2015.
Variants:
- Kurganets-25 BMP: the armoured infantry fighting vehicle variant fitted with one remotely-operated turret armed with one 30mm automatic cannon and four kornet-EM missile launchers.
The Kurganets-25 BTR is equipped with one remotely-operated turret armed with a 12,7mm heavy machine gun.
Design and protection
The Kurganets-25 BTR uses the common chassis of the Kurganets tracked vehicle platform. The hull of the Kurganets-25 is made of light armour with the driver's compartment at the front of the vehicle on the left, engine compartment to his right and the troop compartment at the rear. The driver hatch is located at the front centre of the hull with the commander on his right. The main differences between the Kurganets-25 BMP and BTR variant are the turret and the active protection systems. The Kurganets-25 BTR is not equipped with the active protection system "Afganit". Each side of the vehicle is protected by passive armour to increase protection against rockets and anti-tank missiles. The Kurganets-25 BTR has a crew of three including, driver, commander and gunner and cann carry a total of eight troops. The rear side of the hull is equipped with a large hydraulically operated ramp, which has an additional door in the center including a firing port.
Mobility
The Kurganet-25 BTR is motorized with a diesel engine developing 800 hp located at the front of the hull. The vehicle can run at a maximum speed of 80 km. The torsion bar suspension on each side consists of 7 rubber-tyred roadwheels.
Accessories
The Kurganets-25 BTR is fully amphibious being propelled in the water by two water-jets mounted on either side low down at the rear of the hull. Before entering the water the bilge pumps are switched on and a trim vane is erected at the front of the vehicle. The vehicle uses a new technology for amphibious operation which increases the speed in the water up to 10 km/h. The Kurganets-25 BTR is equipped with several cameras, to offer a full 360 degrees to all members of the crew from inside the vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with the active protection system sensors mounted at the lower part of the turret but does not include the countermeasure system "Afganit". The system is designed to increase protection against anti-tank missiles and RPGs (Rocket-Propelled Grenade). A white led search light is mounted on the top right side of the turret.
