Russia Develops New BTR-82A Armored Vehicle with Ballista Turret and New Armor for Ukraine Combat.

Despite international economic sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, during Army-2023, an international defense exhibition that was held near Moscow in August 2023, the Russian defense industry unveiled a new version of the BTR-82A equipped with the new remotely operated weapon station "Ballista" and enhanced with new armor using the combat experience gained in Ukraine.
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At Army-2023, Russia unveiled a new version of its BTR-82A with the Ballista Remotely Controlled Weapon Station and a new armor package. (Picture source BMPD)

The new version of the BTR-82A is based on the previous version of the vehicle but the side and the front are equipped with new armor plates as well armor cage mounted around the hull. Indeed, it seems that Russia would use the experience gained in Ukraine to increase the protection of the standard BTR-82A. The windows for the driver and commander are now fully protected with armor plates. The sides of the vehicle are also now protected with additional armor plates but the door mounted on each side of the hull continues to be accessible.

The new BTR-82A is armed with the new Ballista Remotely Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) armed with one 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon as well as one anti-tank missile launcher mounted on each side of the turret able to fire the Konkurs 9M113M Model 2 anti-tank missile able to destroy armored vehicles with a range from 70 to 4,000 m. The second armament of the turret includes one 7.62mm PKTM machine gun mounted to the left side of the main armament. Three smoke grenade dischargers are mounted on each side at the front of the turret.

All around the hull, the new BTR-82A is now equipped with a wire cage armor to provide protection against anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades as well as drones and loitering munitions.

The general layout of the new BTR-82A is similar to the previous version with the driver and commander at the front, infantrymen in the middle, and engine at the rear. The vehicle can carry up to 10 military personnel. It is based on an 8x8 wheeled independent suspension. It is powered by a KamAZ-740 diesel engine developing 300 hp. It can run at a maximum road speed of 80 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 800 km. The vehicle is fully amphibious and powered in the water at a maximum speed of 9 km/h.

Standard equipment of the new BTR-82A includes a new gunner sight with a thermal imaging system, laser range finder, and independent line-of-sight stabilization in two planes.

Like the previous BTR-82A, it is equipped with an enhanced fire suppression system, an updated R-168-25-U2 radio station, the Trona-1 topographic orientation system, and night-vision capabilities. The Trona-1 enhances navigation by merging the new BTR-82A's navigation system with the receivers of both Navstar GPS and GLONASS satellite navigation systems.

The new BTR-82A is fitted with the Ballista Remotely Controlled Weapon Station armed with one 30mm automatic cannon, one 7.62mm PKTM machine gun, and two Konkurs anti-tank missile launchers. (Picture source BMPD)

Defense News September 2023