BRDM-2

The BRDM-2 is a Soviet amphibious armoured scout car. It succeeded the BRDM-1, whose lineage goes back to the BA-64 light armoured car of the Second World War. The same design team began work in 1962 with the aim of improving road and cross-country performance, giving full amphibious capability and adding a turret-mounted heavy armament. The new vehicle entered production in 1963, was first seen in public at a 1966 parade and was built until 1989. It remains in service with the Russian army and the forces of some 55 other countries.

Design

The all-steel hull seats the driver and commander side by side at the front. Unlike the BRDM-1, the engine is at the rear, which freed up space inside, improved the driving position and helped cross-country ability. The engine is a 5.7-litre GAZ-41 V8 petrol unit of 140 bhp driving through a four-speed gearbox to all four wheels. A central tyre-inflation system lets the driver adjust pressures to suit the ground, and two pairs of smaller chain-driven belly wheels can be lowered between the main wheels on soft terrain.

The manually traversed turret, shared with the BTR-60PB, BTR-70 and OT-64 model 2A, carries a 14.5 mm heavy machine gun and a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. The vehicle is about 5.75 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.31 m high and weighs about 6.5 tonnes unladen. Top speed is about 95 km/h on the road and 9-10 km/h in the water, with a range of about 750 km.

Variants

There are six main versions, the best known carrying Sagger anti-tank guided missiles, first used in combat in the 1973 Middle East war.

Civilian use

Surplus BRDM-2s have been sold to private owners in Britain, where they may qualify for MOT exemption and historic tax status.