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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Russians have invented a new 'manhole' for the BTR-82A, but an expert found serious problems / x.com/AndreiBtvtThe Russian armored personnel carrier BTR-82A has been equipped with a new factory set of circular protection against FPV drones and debris. The design provides metal mesh, rubber-fabric screens, chains, and cables, but it has a number of significant drawbacks.
A researcher of Tank/Armored Vehicle history, Andriy Tarasenko, drew attention to the new protection option on the X network. According to widely circulated information, the kit was developed at the Arzamas Machine-Building Plant. Armored personnel carriers with this equipment were recorded during exercises in Belarus.
The vehicle received a massive metal frame with grids above the turret, hull, and airborne troops compartment. The sides and the running gear were additionally covered with rubber-fabric screens, and chains were installed around the hull, reinforced with cables.
According to Andriy Tarasenko, the design represents a development of ideas for additional protection that in 2025 year was tested by Russian troops with the involvement of relevant research structures and the Main Automobile-Armored Directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry.
The protective elements are meant to shift the detonation point of a munition approximately by 35 cm from the main armor. The kit is declared as a means of circular protection against FPV drones and debris. The chains and cables are supposed to cover the hull and fighting compartment, and the rubber-fabric screens cover the running gear and bottom.
A separate protected space for the airborne troops was arranged above the hull of the armored vehicle. Russian materials call it a 'manege.' The sides and the top of this structure were covered with rubber-fabric screens and additionally reinforced with cables.
The armored personnel carrier became heavier and slower.
Installing the extra equipment increases the mass of the BTR-82A by approximately 15%. At the same time, the maximum speed on a highway drops to about 50 km/h, and off-road to 20 km/h.
Another limitation was the design of the combat module. Because of the installed protection, its declared sector of rotation is 270 degrees instead of full circular.
Tarasenko assesses that among the main drawbacks of such a solution are increased fire hazard of rubber-fabric screens, insufficient protection of the airborne troops positioned on top, and the limitation of rotation of the combat compartment.
The kit is also supposed to provide protection against anti-personnel and mixed mine-explosive obstacles. At the same time, protection against anti-tank mines is not provided by the design. Approximately 60 man-hours are required to install the equipment.
Why the additional protection does not solve all problems.
Another problem is the base BTR-82A design, which derives from the Soviet BTR-80. According to Tarasenko, the outdated layout limits possibilities for further upgrades to the armored personnel carrier.
"BTR-80/82A is a structurally outdated machine, and it is difficult to make something worthwhile with it. This is not a field-forces machine due to weak protection," the researcher noted.
BTR-82 is a deep modernization of the BTR-80. It received a new turret with a 30-mm gun 2A72 and is intended for transporting units, their fire support, defeating enemy personnel, anti-tank means, and light armored vehicles.
Russian armored vehicles - latest news.
As reported by UNIAN, recently information was published that the Russians allegedly began stockpiling relatively new combat equipment at their bases, such as T-90M and T-72B3 tanks, BTR-82A armored vehicles, BMP-3, BMD-4M, tracked 2S19 'Msta-S' self-propelled guns and wheeled 2S44 'Gymnast-K' self-propelled guns.
Analysts believe that if Russia has started to accumulate equipment in storage again, it may be preparing to recreate an analog of 'cadred divisions' that, upon receiving the appropriate order, should be ready in a short time to attack NATO European countries.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Російський БТР-82А обвішали ланцюгами проти дронів, але є нюанс". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: UNIAN.
