Poland modernizes 150 Ukrainian BTR-70DI 8x8 armored personnel carriers to improve their effectiveness.

As reported by Rafał Bieńkowski on January 15, 2025, the Polish company Mista is continuing the modernization of over 150 BTR-70DI armored personnel carriers, with Ukraine being the most probable end user. This modernization process replaces Soviet-era components with Western systems to enhance mobility, firepower, and situational awareness. The BTR-70DI, a Ukrainian modification of the BTR-70, features improved armor, Western diesel engines, and upgraded combat capabilities.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Mista’s modernization efforts include replacing the original twin gasoline engines with Western diesel alternatives and integrating a new gearbox to improve fuel efficiency and operational range. (Picture source: Facebook/Rafał Bieńkowski)

As reported by Aeromag Asia, Mista’s modernization efforts include replacing the original twin gasoline engines with Western diesel alternatives and integrating a new gearbox to improve fuel efficiency and operational range. Structural modifications include the addition of two side doors to facilitate faster troop deployment, replacing the small hatches of the original design. Observation and targeting systems have been upgraded with thermal imaging sights, modernized observation devices, and satellite navigation. Electronic warfare enhancements, such as anti-drone nets and jamming systems, have also been incorporated. Despite these modifications, the vehicles retain their amphibious capability.

The BTR-70, originally designed in the Soviet Union, is an eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier developed as an improvement over the BTR-60PB. It entered service in 1976 with a fully enclosed, welded steel hull designed to transport mechanized infantry while providing fire support. It is armed with a 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun and a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun, housed in a small turret with 360-degree traverse. The vehicle was powered by two ZMZ-4905 gasoline engines with a combined 240 hp output, coupled with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel independent torsion-bar suspension. Its amphibious capability is facilitated by a water jet propulsion system. However, the BTR-70 had several design limitations, including its complex dual-engine configuration, limited mine resistance, and small side hatches, which made troop deployment difficult under fire.

To address these deficiencies, Ukraine’s Mykolaiv Armored Plant developed the BTR-70DI, featuring two FPT Iveco Tector diesel engines (Euro-3) delivering a total of 300 hp, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Also known as BTR-7, its hull incorporates NATO-standard mine protection rated at STANAG 4569 levels 3A and 3B. The BTR-70DI also integrates enhanced armor and additional protective features such as the Zaslin active protection system.

The BTR-7 can be equipped with multiple combat modules, including the "Bug" turret armed with a 14.5 mm KPVT machine gun, a 30 mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher, and a Barrier anti-tank guided missile system with four missiles. Alternative configurations include the "Ingul" or "Calm" combat modules, featuring 30 mm ZTM-1 or ZTM-2 automatic cannons. The vehicle is further equipped with electronic systems, including a television sight, a combined day-night sight with a laser rangefinder, a panoramic periscope, an automatic fire extinguishing system, air conditioning, and a sealed overpressure system for protection against weapons of mass destruction. Some variants integrate a small reconnaissance UAV with a 20 km operational range.

Compared to its predecessor, the BTR-60PB, the BTR-70 saw relatively limited production, as it retained some of the earlier vehicle’s shortcomings, such as the dual gasoline engines and restricted troop entry and exit points. (Picture source: Facebook/Rafał Bieńkowski)

Compared to its predecessor, the BTR-60PB, the BTR-70 saw relatively limited production, as it retained some of the earlier vehicle’s shortcomings, such as the dual gasoline engines and restricted troop entry and exit points. These issues became evident during combat, particularly in the Soviet–Afghan War, leading to the introduction of the BTR-80 in 1984. The BTR-80 featured a single 260-horsepower diesel engine and an improved drivetrain, prompting the cessation of BTR-70 production the same year. The Soviet Union exported the BTR-70 to Afghanistan, East Germany, Hungary, and Romania, with Romania producing a local variant, the TAB-77. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, many BTR-70s were inherited by post-Soviet states or re-exported. Some countries have retired their fleets, such as Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania, while others have extended their service life through modernization programs, including Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.

Currently, Turkmenistan operates the largest fleet of BTR-70s, with approximately 300 units, followed by Russia with around 200. Azerbaijan has 132 units, while Pakistan retains up to 120. Belarus maintains approximately 64 units, North Macedonia 56, and Kyrgyzstan 45, including standard BTR-70s and upgraded BTR-70M models. Mongolia operates 40, Armenia 36, while Georgia and Uzbekistan each have 25. Other operators include Mexico with 26, Ghana and Zambia with 20 each, Tajikistan with up to 20, and Nicaragua and Sudan with smaller numbers. Ukraine, having inherited a substantial number from the Soviet Union, has pursued multiple modernization initiatives, including the BTR-70DI, BTR-70M, BTR-70 KBA-2, BTR-70T, and BTR-70 Varan armored personnel carriers, as well as the BTR-70Di-02 Svityaz command vehicle, the BMM Ark armored ambulance and the BREM-2000 (or BREM-7K), an armored recovery vehicle.

The source of the 150 BTR-70DI modernized by Mista is most likely Ukraine, as this specific variant seems to have not been exported to any country, though differences exist in the choice of armament. There has been no official confirmation regarding the recipient of these modernized vehicles, but Ukraine remains the most probable operator, as Mista is also involved in producing the Oncilla, a Polish variant of the Ukrainian Dozor-B 4x4 armored personnel carrier. The upgrades, including Western diesel engines, reinforced protection, and electronic warfare enhancements, align with Ukraine’s operational needs. Additionally, reports confirm that vehicles matching this configuration have been observed in service with Ukraine’s 151st Separate Mechanized Brigade, suggesting that these modernized BTR-70s have been delivered to the Ukrainian military.