The BRDM-2 is equipped with a single-man turret mounted in the center of the vehicle. The turret is armed with one 14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun and a coaxial 7.62 PKT machine gun on the right side. A telescopic sight is mounted to the left of the main armament. The day-only sight is provided with a wiper. The turret has a manual traverse and is provided with an adjustable seat for the gunner. The turret allows the armament to be elevated between -5 and +30 degrees and can rotate at 360°. The 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun has a maximum effective rate of fire of 150 rounds per minute with a maximum range of 2,000m. The KPVT ammunitions can penetrate 20 mm of armor at a range of 1,000 m and 30 mm of armor at range of 500 m. The 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun has a maximum effective rate of fire of 250 rounds per minute with a maximum range of 1,000m.

The all-welded steel armor hull of the BRDM-2 provides the crew with protection from small arms fire of 7.62mm caliber and shell splinters. The driver is seated at the front of the hull on the left with the vehicle commander to his right. Both are provided with a bulletproof windscreen to their front, which is covered by an armored shutter, hinged at the top, when the vehicle is in combat areas. When the shutters are in position the driver and commander observe the terrain through day periscopes around the front and sides of their positions, mounted level with the roof of the vehicle. The crew mounts and dismounts the vehicle via two hatches over the driver's and commander's stations. There is one firing port on each side of the hull and immediately behind it are three-day vision blocks. The engine compartment is at the rear of the hull and there are two air-inlet louvers in the forward part of the engine compartment roof and four smaller air-inlet louvers to the rear. The exhaust pipes are on either side of the hull. The vehicle can accommodate up to five military personnel.