The BTR-82 armored personnel carrier is a latest version of the BTR-80 family. It is an improved version of the BTR-80A/S, which entered service back in 1994. It was developed largely as a complement (and a stop-gap) for a BTR-90, whose development has been long, troubled and expensive. The BTR-82 is similar to the BTR-80A/S but has some minor improvements. It was publicly revealed in 2009. In 2010 it successfully passed trials and production commenced during the same year. The original BTR-82 entered service with the Russian Army in 2011.
However the original BTR-82 was not produced in large numbers as production soon switched to upgunned BTR-82A, which is used by the Russian military in large numbers. Since 2010 Russian Army stopped purchasing the older BTR-80 APCs. Currently the BTR-82 is being obtained as a temporarily measure, until a new-generation Bumerang armored personnel carrier is available. The BTR-82 was never produced in large numbers, however its upgunned variant, the BTR-82A is widely used by the Russian Army. The BTR-82 and its variants has been exported to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Syria, Turkmenistan, and possibly, some other countries.
Protection of the BTR-82 APC slightly improved over its predecessors. Its predecessor offered all-round protection against 7.62 mm rounds. Front arc of the older BTR-80 withstands 12.7 mm rounds. So protection of the new BTR-82 should be slightly better. Interior of this armored vehicle is lined with spall liner. This APC has a double hull floor for improved protection against landmines and improvised explosive devices. However design of this vehicle is old and it do not offers the same blast protection as modern Western armored personnel carrier.
Vehicle has improved automatic fire suppression system. It is also fitted with NBC protection system. The BTR-82 is fitted with externally-mounted ᴡᴇᴀᴘᴏɴs. The baseline version is armed with 14.5 mm heavy machine gun and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. The BTR-82A version is armed with a fully-stabilized 30 mm cannon. The same cannon is used on a number of Soviet/Russian armored vehicles and some attack helicopters. This dual-fed cannon uses HE-FRAG and AP-T rounds.
Maximum range of fire with armor-piercing-tracer rounds is 2 km (day) and 800 m (night). High elevation angle allows to use these ᴡᴇᴀᴘᴏɴs against low-flying air targets. This APC has a crew of three and accommodates 7 fully equipped troops. Each infantryman is provided with firing port and periscope for aiming. Troops can fire their ᴡᴇᴀᴘᴏɴs from inside the armored hull. A rear-mounted engine of the BTR-82 is a significant drawback, as ambushed troops have to leave the vehicle via side doors, under direct enemy fire.
The BTR-82 is powered by a new KamAZ 740.14-300 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 300 hp. It is commercially available truck engine. The engine is mated to a new manual transmission. Vehicle also has auxiliary power unit, which powers all systems and charges the batteries, when the main engine is turned off. Auxiliary power unit can also export power. This armored personnel carrier also has an improved suspension.
This armored personnel carrier is fitted with a central tyre inflation system and self-recovery winch as standard. Vehicle can be fitted with run-flat tyres. Once fitted with these tyres this APC can travel several thousand kilometers with multiple tyre shots and absence of pressure in the tyres. Furthermore this APC can travel with any two if its wheels missing. Mobility of this armored vehicle allows to operate alongside tanks, though it looses in terms of off-road performance to tracked armored personnel carriers.
This armored vehicle is fully amphibious. On water it is propelled by a single waterjet, located at the hull rear. With full tanks of fuel this APC has endurance on water of 12 hours.
