At the past 9 May 2020 years military parade in Minsk, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory, Belarusian military demonstrated an upgraded version of the BTR-70 armored personnel carrier – BTR-70MB1. An armored personnel carrier was adopted by the Belarusian army in 2017 year.
AT 2017 the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced the completion of the enterprise “140-th repair plant” development work on upgrading the BTR-70 to the level of the BTR-70MB1 by order of the military department, as well as the completion of state tests of the modernized armored personnel carrier. Subsequently, the Belarusian military announced plans to modernize the entire existing BTR-70 fleet to the level of BTR-70MB1.
note, that during the modernization, Belarusian specialists managed to bring the BTR-70 to the level of the BTR-80, significantly improving its characteristics. The body of the machine has been significantly modified, the height of the airborne squad increased by 14 cm, side hatches widened, double doors are installed on both sides of the case (upper casement opens forward, lower leans back as on BTR-80). In the landing compartment installed new multi-seat, like those in the BTR-80. Compared to the original BTR-70, the mass of the upgraded version became heavier on 1,5 tons and amounted 13 tonnes. For disguise, the 902V Cloud-2 system of 6 grenade launchers was installed.
As an engine, an upgraded armored personnel carrier is installed 8 cylinder KAMAZ diesel 7403.10 turbocharged power 260 HP, new transmission with a modified transfer case and other control drive. A water cannon from the BTR-80 is installed as a mover for movement on water. Declared highway speed – to 92 km / h, the water – 9 km / h.
The armament of the armored personnel carrier has not changed, a 14.5-mm KPVT large-caliber machine gun and a 7.62-mm PKT machine gun were installed in the tower. Communication is provided using a digital radio station R-181-50TU “Bustard” anti-jamming.
The BTR-70MB-1 armored personnel carriers shown at the parade have lattice screens installed in the factory, all around the machine. It is assumed, that this protection significantly reduces the likelihood of damage to armored vehicles by cumulative charges of anti-tank grenade launchers.
