ShieldAfrica 2019: Belarus BTR-70MB 8x8 armored delivered to Côte d'Ivoire army.

The BTR-70MB, a modernized version of the Soviet-made BTR-70 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle personnel carrier, designed and manufactured by the Belarus defense industry has been delivered to the armed forces of Côte d'Ivoire. At ShieldAfrica 2019, the International Defense Exhibition in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, a BTR-70MB was showcased at the front of the Belarus pavilion with a Côte d'Ivoire armed forces registration plate.

BTR-70MB 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle personnel carrier of Côte d'Ivoire armed forces at ShieldAfrica 2019, International Defense and Security in Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire. January 24, 2019. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The BTR-70MB is upgraded with a new engine and the design of the vehicle has been modified to have a layout similar to the Soviet-made BTR-80. The vehicle is designed to be used as troop's carrier offering mobility and protection of infantrymen on the battlefield.

The original engine of the BTR-70 has been removed and replaced by a KAMAZ 7403 eight cylinder multifuel diesel engine. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 80 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 600 km. According to our first analysis, the BTR-70MB has lost its amphibious capability, there is no more water jet on the back of the hull compared  to the original BTR-70.

The design of the BTR-70MB seems very similar to the BTR-80, the door between the second and third axles of the standard BTR-70 has been replaced by a new door with the upper part of which opens to the front while the lower part folds down to form a step as for the BTR-80.

The BTR-70MB has a crew of two including driver and commander, the rear part of the hull can accommodate 8 infantrymen. The hull of the BTR-70MB is of all-welded steel armor construction with improved protection over its frontal arc compared to the original BTR-60 series. The vehicle offers protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters.

The BTR-70MB is fitted with one-man turret mounted at the front of the hull, and is the same as that mounted on the Russian BTR-70. The turret is armed with armed with a 14.5 KPVT and a 7.62 mm PKVT machine gun.