March 7, 2009: Ukraine is now offering another variation of the Cold War era BTR-80 wheeled armored personnel carriers that were built on its territory. The new model is the BTR-4, which is a slightly larger version of the earlier BTR-3. The BTR-4 is a 25 ton vehicle that is safe from RPG rockets. It is armed with a 30mm autocannon, a 7.62mm machine-gun, and a 30mm grenade launcher (or two anti-tank missiles). It also has smoke grenade launchers. There is a three man crew, and space for seven troops or passengers in the back. There are firing ports and bullet-proof windows in the passenger compartment. The vehicle is air conditioned and amphibious. If you take away the anti-RPG armor, the vehicle only weighs 17.5 tons and can carry eight troops in the back. The heavier version costs about $1.7 million each.

After the Cold War ended, Ukraine became independent and inherited the BTR factories on its territory. The updated BTR vehicles have proved to be popular export items. The BTR-3 has been sold to half a dozen countries. The BTR-3 is a 17 ton vehicle armed with a 30mm autocannon, a 7.62mm machine-gun, a 30mm grenade launcher and smoke grenade launchers. There is a three man crew, and space for six troops or passengers in the back. There are firing ports and bullet-proof windows in the passenger compartment. The BTR-3 sells for about $1.3 million each. The BTR-3 is air conditioned and amphibious.

For both vehicles, max road speed is 110 kilometers an hour, and 10 in the water. Range, via road, on internal fuel, is about 600 kilometers.