The new BTR-82A enter in service with Russian army unit based in the Republic of Abkhazia 2104131.

The new BTR-82A is modernized version of the Russian-made BTR-80A with more firepower, higher mobility and increased protection.

Firepower of the BTR-82A has been enhanced through the introduction of a new fighting module fitted with electric drives and two-axis digital gun stabiliser. The turret is armed with a 30-mm 2A72 automatic gun and a 7.62mm PKTM coaxial machine gun.

The BTR-82A protection is increased through the introduction of the spall liner to the inner surfaces of the hull, including the floor, an advanced energy-absorbing bottom design and a special solution to the attachment of the crew and infantry squad seats. The vehicles also carry an improved fire-suppression system that has boosted safety against fire and explosion.

The set of measures to enhance the protection has yielded a 20% increase in their survivability and provided a protection for the crew, components and systems against armour-piercing bullets firing by small arms at a range of 100 m and the spall generated by high explosive squash head (HESH) anti-tank shells and many other modern munitions.

The advantages of the new BTR-82A were highly appreciated by Russian soldiers during the first training sessions.