BRDM-2

The BRDM-2 was developed by the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) under the leadership of chief designer V. A. Dedkov, entering production in 1962. It was designed to replace the BRDM-1, offering improved cross-country mobility and a fully enclosed turret. The hull is made of all-welded steel, providing protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. The vehicle is powered by a GAZ-41 V8 gasoline engine producing 140 hp, mounted in the rear. It features a central tire-pressure regulation system and two pairs of auxiliary belly wheels that can be lowered to improve mobility in soft terrain. The BRDM-2 is fully amphibious, propelled in water by a single water jet mounted at the rear. Its armament consists of a 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun and a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun in a small conical turret. The crew of four includes a commander, driver, and two scouts. The vehicle has a maximum road speed of 100 km/h and a range of 750 km.

The BRDM-2 entered service with the Soviet Army in the mid-1960s and was widely exported to Warsaw Pact allies, Middle Eastern states, and developing nations. It saw combat in numerous conflicts, including the Yom Kippur War, the Iran–Iraq War, and the Angolan Civil War. In Soviet service, it was used for reconnaissance, command, and NBC reconnaissance roles. Many countries have developed indigenous upgrades, such as the Polish BRDM-2M with a new diesel engine and improved armor, and the Czech OT-64 variant. The vehicle remains in service with over 40 countries, and some have been modernized with new engines, thermal sights, and additional armor. Its longevity is attributed to its simple design, amphibious capability, and adaptability to various roles.

Numerous variants of the BRDM-2 have been produced for specialized roles. The BRDM-2RKhB is a chemical reconnaissance version, while the BRDM-2UM is a command vehicle with additional radios. The 9P133 and 9P148 are anti-tank missile carriers armed with 9M14 Malyutka and 9M113 Konkurs missiles, respectively. The BRDM-2 was also adapted as a base for the SA-9 Gaskin surface-to-air missile system. Many countries have developed their own conversions, such as the Cuban BRDM-2 with a ZU-23 cannon and the Vietnamese BRDM-2 with a TOW missile launcher. Some modernized versions replace the gasoline engine with a diesel for better fuel economy and range. The vehicle's chassis has also been used for civilian purposes, including firefighting and agricultural applications in some regions.

Despite its widespread use, several lesser-known aspects of the BRDM-2 are notable. The auxiliary belly wheels, a distinctive feature, were originally designed to prevent the vehicle from getting stuck in trenches or soft ground, but they are rarely used in practice. The BRDM-2 was one of the first Soviet armored vehicles to feature a fully enclosed turret, a departure from the open-topped BRDM-1. It was also used by the Soviet Union as a testbed for various experimental systems, including remote-controlled mine-clearing equipment. In some African countries, BRDM-2s have been converted into improvised fighting vehicles with additional armor and weaponry. The vehicle's amphibious capability has been used in riverine operations, and it has been observed in service with naval infantry units. Its production continued in Poland under license, and it has been exported to over 40 countries, with some still in production in modified form.

KPVT

A Soviet 14.5 mm heavy machine gun used on the BRDM-2.

PKT

A Soviet 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun.

NBC

Nuclear, biological, and chemical (warfare).