Russia Unveils BTR-22 8x8 APC to Replace Aging BTR-82 Series Armored Personnel Carriers.

Russia's defense industry unveiled its new BTR-22 8x8 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) at the Army-2024 defense exhibition held in Moscow. This vehicle is set to replace the older BTR-82A model. It has been designed to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare, offering enhanced protection, mobility, and advanced electronic warfare capabilities.
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The new Russian-made BTR-22 8x8 armored personnel carrier vehicle was unveiled at Army-2024, a defense exhibition in Russia.  (Picture source: Defense Market News Magazine)

The BTR-22 is specifically engineered to transport motorized rifle troops to the battlefield, providing them with fire support and the ability to transport military cargo and tow trailers. It offers comprehensive protection for both the combat crew and the equipment housed within the vehicle, shielding them from small arms fire, fragments from mines and shells, and the harsh conditions encountered in rough terrain operations.

Built on an 8x8 wheeled platform, the BTR-22 is amphibious, boasting a combat weight of 20 tons and accommodating a crew of 11 personnel. The vehicle features a high level of ballistic protection, rated to withstand B-32 bullets of 12.7 x 108 mm caliber, in accordance with Class 5 standards of the OTT 9.1.12.1-2022.  The BTR-22 is armed with a 30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon, capable of firing up to 330 rounds per minute, with an effective range of up to 1,000 meters. Additionally, it is equipped with a 7.62 mm PKTM coaxial machine gun, further enhancing its firepower. The vehicle’s ammunition loadout includes 300 rounds for the main gun, ensuring it remains effective in sustained combat scenarios. The gunner benefits from a PNK combined two-channel day-night optical sight, which includes a thermal imager channel and a laser range finder, allowing for accurate targeting in various combat conditions.

One of the standout features of the BTR-22 is the integration of the LGSh-689 electronic warfare system, which was unveiled by Russia in mid-2024. This system is designed to counter the increasing threat posed by First-Person View (FPV) drones on the battlefield by jamming the frequencies these drones typically use. The inclusion of this jamming system highlights Russia’s strategic shift towards prioritizing electronic warfare in response to modern battlefield threats.

Additionally, to respond to the new threats of the modern battlefield, especially drones, the BTR-22 is fitted with wire cage armor all around the hull. This additional armor provides enhanced protection against the explosive impact of drones and other airborne threats, ensuring the vehicle's survivability in increasingly complex combat scenarios.

The BTR-22 is powered by a diesel engine rated at 360 horsepower, paired with a 5-speed mechanical gearbox and a 2-speed transfer case with a locking differential. This configuration ensures the vehicle’s robust mobility across diverse terrains. With a ground clearance of 475 mm, the BTR-22 can easily navigate rough landscapes and achieve a maximum road speed of 85 km/h, making it highly maneuverable in urban and rural environments. Its torsion-bar-based independent suspension system further enhances its ability to traverse difficult terrain while maintaining stability and comfort for the crew.

The vehicle also incorporates significant mine protection, designed to withstand the detonation of up to 6 kg of TNT under its wheels or bottom, offering crucial defense against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines, which are common in many conflict zones. In addition to its role as an armored personnel carrier, the BTR-22 is expected to serve as the foundation for a family of combat, technical, and logistical support vehicles within the Russian Armed Forces. This versatility underscores the BTR-22’s potential to be adapted for a variety of mission requirements.

The BTR-22 represents a significant upgrade in Russia’s military capabilities. By combining traditional armored protection with cutting-edge electronic warfare systems, the BTR-22 is well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern warfare, particularly in response to the growing use of drones and other advanced threats on the battlefield. This makes the BTR-22 a formidable addition to the Russian military’s inventory, ensuring it remains a crucial asset in future conflicts.