Unlike the BTR-50P series, the BTR-60P series has an 8 x 8
wheeled drive configuration, with the power being derived from two GAZ-49B
petrol engines.
Entering service during the early 1960s, the original
BTR-60P had an open troop compartment while the later (and far more numerous)
BTR-60PA (also known as the BTR-60PK) had an armoured roof.
On the BTR-60PB a turret, mounting a 14.5 mm heavy MG and a
coaxial 7.62 mm MG, was added, reducing the number of troops carried from 16 to
14.
In its day the BTR-60 series were widely used as APCs but
are now little encountered in this role. Instead the BTR-60P series has become
a veritable maid of all work throughout the Eastern Bloc and elsewhere.
Variants abound. Just to list them would fill many pages but essentially they
include numerous command vehicle types, some having specialised installations
for artillery or signals units, while others are equipped for various
communication purposes or for electronic warfare (EW) with prominent antennae
arrays.
There are also artillery observation vehicles, others are
front line mobile workshops, while in several Third-World nations BTR-60P
series vehicles are employed for police or para-military duties, At least one
type of forward air control post for directing strike aircraft was developed,
There have been many user nations over the years and the type can still be
encountered in countries such as Cambodia, Cuba, Angola and Turkey (who
received a batch of 300 ex-East German vehicles during the early 1990s); the
only Warsaw Pact nations not to use the BTR-60P were the Czechs and the Poles.
Some nations, such as Cuba, have added roof-mounted light air defence guns or
recoilless anti-armour weapons.
At least 34 user nations have been identified and there may
well be more.
A licence was issued to Romania to produce a BTR-60PB-based
model known as the TAB-71, from which a 4 x 4 scout car (the TABC-79) was
developed.
Specification (BTR-60PB)
Crew: 2
Seating: 14
Weight: (combat) 10,300 kg
Length: 7.56m
Width: 2.825m
Height: (hull top) 2.055 m
Ground clearance: 0.475 m
Track: 2.37m
Max speed: (road) 80 km/h
Fuel capacity: 290 litres
Range: 500 km
Fording: amphibious
Vertical obstacle: 0.4m
Engine: 2 x GAZ-49B petrol
Power output: 2 x 90 hp
Suspension: torsion bar
Armament: 1 x 14.5 mm MG; 1 x7.62mmMG
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