BTR-4E

BTR-4 “Bucephalus” is an eight-wheeled, all-wheel-drive armored personnel carrier (BTR) with an 8x8 wheel formula, developed in Ukraine by the Kharkiv Design Bureau of Machine Building (KMDB) and manufactured at the Malyshev Plant.

The BTR-4 “Bucephalus” is designed for transporting mechanized unit soldiers and fire support during combat. It is used to equip units capable of conducting combat operations in various conditions, including in conditions where the enemy uses weapons of mass destruction. The APC can serve as a base vehicle for equipping special rapid reaction units and marine infantry. The BTR-4 can perform assigned tasks round-the-clock, in different climatic conditions, on roads with various surfaces and in conditions of complete off-road terrain. The range of working air temperatures is from -40 to +55°C.

The concept of the armored vehicle was developed in the early 2000s by the Kharkiv Design Bureau of Machine Building. The demonstration prototype was first presented to the public in June 2006 at the "Aviasvit-21" exhibition in Kyiv. The landing tests of the armored personnel carrier were completed in January 2007. Serial production began in 2008 after approval from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

On July 24, 2012, the BTR-4E was accepted into service by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In May 2016, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko awarded the developers of the BTR-4E with the State Reward of Ukraine in Science and Technology. The honorary award was given to experts of the State Enterprise “Kharkiv Design Bureau for Machine-Building named after O. Morozov.”

The production of the BTR-4 was established at the Kharkiv Design Bureau for Machine-Building named after Morozov, where the vehicles are assembled in experimental production. In December 2015, it became known that serial production was being prepared to start at the Zhytomyr Armory Plant. In May 2016, the production of APC hulls was established at the Zhytomyr Armored Plant. Later, full production of the BTR-4 will be established in Zhytomyr, which will increase the production.

In early August 2018, it became known that due to the high demand for BTR-4, the Malyshev Plant had started to produce hulls for these vehicles. In total, the plant's welders, fitters and toolmakers will have to join more than 1,700 parts, including more than 400 armored parts. Previously, only the Lozova Forging and Mechanical Plant produced hulls for the serial production of BTR-4 at the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau.

On October 29, 2018, the first seven BTR-4 were manufactured by Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau from Ukrainian-made special steel grade 71. The armored personnel carrier hulls were made at Lozova Forging and Mechanical Plant.

In February 2019, it became known that the State Enterprise "Malyshev Plant" had successfully completed the full cycle of tests for the first BTR-4 prototype manufactured at the plant and was qualified as the manufacturer of these vehicles. The same qualification procedure based on test results was also being completed by the “Kharkiv Design Bureau for Mechanical Engineering named after Morozov”. During the tests, the BTR-4 with new hulls travelled several hundred kilometers on rough terrain and roads with hard surfaces, and withstood tests of gunfire, including from heavy machine guns. Thus, the “Malyshev Plant” and “Morozov Design Bureau” were ready to start serial production of the BTR-4 with hulls of their own production in 2019. In February 2021, it became known that the Kharkiv Design Bureau for Mechanical Engineering received a task from the Ministry of Defence to develop a new wheeled multifunctional platform, which should become the basis for future BTRs, wheeled BMPs, self-propelled artillery systems, SAMs and other vehicles.

Unlike the soviet family of armored personnel carriers (BTR-60/70/80) and their modifications, the BTR-4 is a completely new purely Ukrainian development. The layout of the vehicle is similar to Western projects, such as the German armored personnel carrier “Fuks”, with a driver-mechanic and commander compartment in the front part of the hull, a motor compartment in the center, and a troop compartment in the stern. Access to the troop compartment is provided through the rear doors and hatches in the roof, and the vehicle control compartment is equipped with doors on the sides of the hull.

The modification of the BTR-4MV1 was presented in October 2017. The vehicle received a circular view system, underwent radical changes in equipment and additional protection. There are no side doors in the hull. This time, the developers abandoned the windows in the front part typical of soviet BTRs, thus enhancing the crew's protection. It is a further development of the BTR-4MV, which was first presented at the international exhibition IDEX-2013.

The crew protection of the BTR-4MV1 has been enhanced by the use of spaced armor and the installation of special ergonomic seats that absorb explosion energy. In addition, thanks to the modular approach to armor and the presence of multi-purpose compartments that allow for the installation of additional fuel tanks, floats, or additional armor, it is possible to quickly re-equip the BTR-4MV1.

Due to the radical overhaul of the frontal part of the BTR-4MV1, to ensure comfortable driving in combat conditions, the driver's seat is equipped with panoramic views through five triplexes. Additionally, the BTR-4MV1 is equipped with an additional 360° digital surveillance system. Cameras are located around the perimeter of the combat vehicle, which work both day and night. This solution allows the driver of the BTR-4MV1 to see the entire situation on the route and around the vehicle.

As a result of the changes, the weight of the vehicle has increased to 24-25 tons, which is 2-3 tons more than the usual version of the BTR-4. All the driving characteristics provided by the 8x8 wheel formula in combination with the Deutz engine and the Allison transmission remain unchanged: maximum speed - 110 km/h. In addition, the BTR-4MV1 retains the ability to ford water obstacles at a speed of up to 10 km/h.

The combat module has a new targeting system, the OEP-VN, produced by the Izyum Instrument Engineering Plant, with a powerful thermal imager, laser rangefinder, and digital fire control system. The new thermal imaging module makes it possible to detect targets at a distance of up to 5 km. The weight of the sight has been reduced by almost half – to 17 kg.

On December 8, 2017, factory tests of the new modification were completed.

The new Ukrainian armored personnel carrier BTR-4MV1 presented at Interpipe TechFest.

In November 2018, experts from the state-owned enterprise “Kharkiv Design Bureau for Machine Building named after Morozov” completed a full cycle of factory tests of the new armored vehicle, the BTR-4MV1.

The vehicle was showcased at the IDEX-2021 international exhibition in the UAE.