Forbes: Russian Urban Combat Armored Vehicles Will Adopt Israeli Defense Forces Tactics
The BTR-T, which is upgraded from T-55 and T-62 tanks, will become a powerful counterpart to the Israeli "Achzarit" armored vehicle
Image: The BTR-T armored vehicle based on the T-55 tank chassis
The Russian military has launched a modernization plan aimed at enhancing the battlefield protection capabilities of armored tank units.
Bulgarian military media reported that the plan proposes converting retired Soviet-era T-55 and T-62 tanks into heavy infantry fighting vehicles (designated as BTR-T).
The report emphasized that this retrofitting concept aims to create an armored transport vehicle capable of safely transporting infantry under fire, offering significantly improved protection compared to currently equipped light infantry fighting vehicles (BMP) and armored personnel carriers (BTR).
Heavy armored transport vehicles based on T-55 and T-62 chassis can carry 8 to 10 soldiers, featuring excellent protection, stronger mine resistance, and additional external firepower points. Such equipment may play an important role in urban and forward assault operations.
The T-55 tank, introduced in 1958, was the first Soviet tank with full nuclear, biological, and chemical protection capabilities and a stabilized main gun. With these features, it became one of the most popular tank models during the Cold War, with a total production of over 95,000 units, and it remains one of the most produced tanks in history.
Its successor, the T-62, was introduced in 1961, featuring an 115 mm U-5TS smoothbore gun, improved front armor, and a more powerful diesel engine. The torsion bar suspension system combined with wide tracks provided good mobility on soft terrain.
Bulgarian military media pointed out that both tanks use simple and reliable mechanical systems, making them easy to maintain and operate in extreme environments.
Although their fire control systems and optical equipment are outdated by modern standards, their sturdy hulls and transmission systems still maintain high reliability.
Even without modern active protection systems, the 100 mm and 115 mm turrets, thick frontal armor plates, and steel hulls of these tanks offer much higher protection levels than Russia's current wheeled armored personnel carriers or tracked infantry fighting vehicles of similar weight classes.
A large number of T-55 and T-62 tanks are currently stored in Russian warehouses and can be retrofitted after simple repairs.
Bulgarian military media revealed that the BTR-T retrofitting plan includes removing the original turret and replacing it with a low-profile armored compartment, with hatches on the roof or rear cargo compartment.
The cargo compartment can accommodate 8 to 10 fully armed soldiers, with a seating arrangement that provides protection against shock waves and facilitates quick entry and exit.
Protection upgrades may include adding "Contact-1" or "Contact-5" explosive reactive armor modules in the front arc area, as well as lattice or net armor to defend against rocket-propelled grenades.
The vehicle's bottom may be equipped with V-shaped additional armor to enhance protection against anti-tank mines and improvised explosive devices, bringing the platform's protection level close to the modern Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) standard (similar to the American Oshkosh and International M1224 MaxxPro).
The BTR-T's weapon system may include remote operation modules, such as a 30 mm 2A42 or 2A72 automatic cannon, paired with a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and AG-17 or AGS-30 automatic grenade launchers.
The vehicle will undoubtedly be equipped with modern fire control systems, thermal imaging sights, and laser rangefinders, enabling it to operate under various weather conditions.
Considering the Western open-source intelligence analysts' prediction that the Russian military is about to launch an attack on major cities such as Kupiansk, Proskurov, Myrnohrad, Kostiantynivka, and Seversk, the BTR-T may soon be deployed by the Russian military.
Forbes magazine stated that the Israeli Defense Forces have used similar tactics: Israel retrofitted captured Soviet T-55 tanks from Arab countries into the "Achzarit" heavy armored transport vehicle.
This type of equipment replaced the weaker M113 armored vehicles (which were vulnerable to rockets and anti-tank missiles from Palestinians). Since the late 1980s, "Achzarit" has been used by the Israeli Defense Forces for urban combat, including the current offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7537624873431122459/
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