BRDM-2

After a few years of use by the Soviet Army, the limitations and drawbacks of the BRDM-1 became obvious. The vehicle had no turret and to operate the armament the gunner had to open a hatch and expose himself to enemy fire. The vehicle was not fitted with an NBC protection system, and had no night vision equipment by default. The vehicle also lacked any kind of special sights, which undermined its function as a reconnaissance vehicle. These drawbacks encouraged the design team to create a new vehicle which would suit the modern battlefield. ==Construction==

The BRDM-2 has a crew of four: a driver, a co-driver, a commander, and a gunner. It has two pairs of chain-driven belly wheels lowered by the driver, which allow trench crossing just like its predecessor, and a centralized tire pressure regulation system, which can be used to adjust the tire pressure of all four tires or individual tires while the vehicle is in motion to suit to the ground conditions. Externally, it differs from the BRDM-1 by having a larger, box-like hull. It retains the boat-like bow of the BRDM-1, alongside its chassis, which in turn is derived from the BTR-40, being based on the chassis of the GAZ-63 from the 1940s and 1960s. However, the crew compartment is now further forward and the new GAZ-41 gasoline V8 engine (which is derived from the one used in the GAZ-13 Chaika limousine) is in the rear. Thanks to this, the engine is much better protected from enemy fire. The engine compartment is also separated from the crew compartment by an armoured barrier. The driver's and commander's stations are in the front of the vehicle, with the driver positioned on the left and commander on the right. Both of them sit behind a bulletproof windscreen, which provides them with their primary view of the battlefield. When in combat, the windscreen can be additionally protected by twin armoured shutters. When the shutters are in their opened position, they protect the driver and commander from being blinded by the sunlight and ensure that the windscreen won't be blurred by rain or snow. The commander and driver have periscopes allowing both of them a more detailed view of the surrounding terrain. The commander has six TNP-A periscopes (five in the front and one on the side of the vehicle), a TPKU-2B day sight and a TKN-1 night sight (night-vision device). The driver has four TNP-A periscopes (all in the front), one of which can be replaced by a TWN-2B night-vision device. The gunner is in the turret during combat, but when traveling he is seated inside the hull. The engine is larger than the BRDM's (it is a 140 hp V-8 instead of a 90 hp 6-cylinder). The BRDM-2 has an IR spotlight and four IR driving lights, as well as an over pressure collective NBC filter system. The IR spotlight is located on top of the commander's periscope. The vehicle also has an R-123 radio and an antenna on the right side of the hull next to the commander's hatch, for communication. There's also a winch mounted internally at the front hull that has a 30 m cable and a 4 tonne capacity. The winch is intended to be used, among others, for self-recovery when stuck in difficult terrain. A spare tire can be mounted on top of the turret. This was most often practiced by Polish crews. Like its predecessor, the BRDM-2 is amphibious. The GAZ-41 gasoline V-8 engine supplies power to the circular water-jet, equipped with a four-bladed propeller at the rear of the vehicle, which is covered with an armoured shutter while on land. This shutter is opened at the same time as the trim board by hydraulics, which must be done before entering water. The water-jet allows amphibious travel with a speed of 10 km/h for 17 to 19 hours. A trim board, which is stowed under the nose of the hull when traveling, is erected at the front of the hull before entering the water to improve the vehicle's stability and displacement in the water and to prevent the water from flooding the bow of the BRDM-2. While in its traveling position, it serves as additional armour. File:SPW-40P2 (Ch), 12. Internationales Maritimes-Fahrzeugtreffen, Ribnitz-Damgarten (P1060695).jpg|The triangular cover for the water jet on the rear of this ex-East German BRDM-2 has been opened to prepare for water jet propulsion. File:BRDM 2 TBiU 24 6.jpg|Swimming Polish BRDM-2. Notice the raised trim board in the front of the vehicle and opened air inlets. Armament The armament is the same as the BTR-60PB armoured personnel carrier; a 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun with a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT general-purpose machine gun as a secondary weapon, both in a small conical BPU-1 turret mounted on the hull in a central position above the belly wheels. The 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun has a practical rate of fire of 150 rounds per minute and a cyclic rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute. It has an effective range during daylight operations of 2,000 m. It can penetrate 20 mm of armour at a range of 1,000 m and 30 mm of armour at a range of 500 m. It can also fire at air targets, in which case the tactical range is 1,400 m. It uses the 14.5 mm API-T, 14.5 mm I-T, 14.5 mm HE-T, 14.5 mm and MDZ type ammunition. The 7.62 mm PKT coaxial general-purpose machine gun has an effective range during day time operations of 1,000 m while the vehicle is stationary and from 400 m to 500 m while the vehicle is on the move. It is fired in 2 to 10 round bursts and has a practical rate of fire of 250 rounds per minute and a cyclic rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute. During daylight operations, the gunner uses the PP-61AM sight, which has a field of view of 23 degrees and x2.6 magnification. The BPU-1 turret is unusual because it has no top hatch opening. Contrary to the popular belief, the BPU-1 turret was originally designed for the BRDM-2. The turret was later used in the Soviet BTR-60PB, the Polish SKOT-2A and the Czechoslovak OT-64A. The turret allows the armament to be elevated between −5 and +30 degrees. On the left side of the turret, there is an air inlet on the hull top. There are also two air-inlet louvers in the forward part of the engine compartment's roof and four smaller air-inlet louvers to the rear. Both sides have centrally placed vision blocks. The vehicle armor, which is composed of welded steel, is sufficient against small arms fire and small shell fragments; but not enough for protection against big artillery fragments or .50-calibre machine gun fire, which can penetrate the BRDM-2's maximum armor of 14 mm. The BRDM-2's tires are not protected by armour and are particularly vulnerable to puncture from fire of all kinds. There are three different production lots, which have different cooling vents on the engine deck. The late production version has mushroom-type vents. It also has slightly modified turret and can elevate its armament to +60 degrees. Final production BRDM-2s have additional turret periscopes and a TNA-2 navigation apparatus. Flaws BRDM-2 has flaws that are also apparent in other Soviet vehicles. These include the poor ergonomic design, low level of crew protection and high fuel consumption. The ergonomics was addressed in the Polish BRDM-2M-96 modernization and its successors, the BRDM-2M-96i, BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal", BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal Plus", BRDM-2M-97 "Żbik-B", BRDM-2M-97C "Żbik-P" and BRDM-2M-98 "Żbik-A", which all had the belly wheels removed, thus providing more space for the crew or space for two soldiers. This was also carried out in Morozov's BRDM-2SMD. The BRDM-2 has a unique flaw. Because the only way in and out of the vehicle is via the front hatches, leaving the vehicle while in combat is almost impossible, as the exiting crew members would instantly enter the line of fire of both the enemy and their own vehicle, as hatches are positioned directly in front of the turret. This shortcoming was addressed in the Polish BRDM-2M-96 modernization and its successors, the BRDM-2M-96i, BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal", BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal Plus", BRDM-2M-97 "Żbik-B", BRDM-2M-97C "Żbik-P" and BRDM-2M-98 "Żbik-A", all of which have side hatches. This was also done in the Czech LOT-B and OKV-P as well as the Ukrainian BRDM-2SMD. The Polish BRDM-2M-97 "Żbik-B", BRDM-2M-97C "Żbik-P" and BRDM-2M-98 "Żbik-A" also have a hatch on the top of the turret, giving the crew another way out. The BRDM-2's predecessor, BRDM-1, did not have that issue as the BRDM-1 obr. 1957 had no roof and later models had a rear hatch that allowed the crew to exit the vehicle from behind. The fact that the BRDM-2 is missing such a hatch is a consequence of putting the engine in the rear, unlike in BRDM-1 where the engine is in the front. The BRDM-2 is sometimes confused with the Hungarian D-442 FUG and D-944 PSzH amphibious scout cars, which also have rear-mounted engines. What distinguishes them from the BRDM-2 is that they have twin waterjets, whereas the BRDM-2 has a single triangular water jet. ==Service history==

Soviet Union and Russia The BRDM-2 entered service with the Soviet Army in 1962. It was first publicly shown in 1966. It replaced the BRDM-1 in the Soviet and Warsaw Pact armies. Production started in 1962 and went on until 1989, with 7,200 vehicles produced (mostly for export). The BRDM-2 became famous for being the vehicle selected to pull the Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev's coffin during the funeral ceremony in the Red Square. Both Russian and Ukrainian sides used the BRDM-2 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, however by that time, very few BRDM-2 armored scout cars were spotted in service with the Russian army. These armored scout cars were generally replaced in Russian Army service by Tigr armored vehicles. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at least one captured Ukrainian BRDM-2L1 was modified with a UB-32 (rocket pod). Poland Poland bought 450 BRDM-2 armoured scout cars, 418 9P133 "Malyutka" and 9P148 "Konkurs" tank destroyers and 32 BRDM-2RS NBC reconnaissance vehicles in 1965. Later, Poland obtained some 9P31 Surface-to-air missile launchers. In 2004, the Polish Army operated 600 BRDM-2 armoured scout cars and vehicles based on it. Currently, the Polish Army operates 200 BRDM-2s, 120 BRDM-2s modernized to BRDM-2M-96, BRDM-2M-96i, BRDM-2M-97 "Żbik-B" and BRDM-2M-98 "Żbik-A" level, 12 BRDM-2s modernized to BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal" level, 100 9P133 "Malyutka" and 18 9P148 "Konkurs" tank destroyers, 12 BRDM-2RS NBC reconnaissance vehicles, an unknown number of 9K31 Strela-1 self-propelled surface-to-air missile launchers as well as BRDM-2 R-1A and BRDM-2 R-5 command vehicles. Also one BRDM-2 was modernized to BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal Plus" level. Polish BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal" was shown at the Land Combat Expo 2004. Two BRDM-2M-97 "Żbik-B" armoured scout cars took part in a military parade in Kraków on 17 May 2008. Seven BRDM-2M-97 "Żbik-B" armoured scout cars and six 9P148 "Konkurs" tank destroyers took part in a military parade in Warsaw on the Polish Army Day, 15 August 2008. BRDM-2, BRDM-2M-96 and BRDM-2M-96i armoured cars were used by Polish units of SFOR. Polish KFOR units also use BRDM-2M-96 armoured scout cars and BRDM-2RS NBC reconnaissance vehicles. Polish Forces in Iraq operated 12 BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal" and 14 BRDM-2M-97 "Żbik-B". However, these are now back in Poland, as are the 12 vehicles used in Iraq. Estonia Around 10 BRDM-2s were taken over from the Soviet Army in the early 1990s. They were mostly used during infantry training for posing as the enemy armour. Also, the Estonian police used a specially modified BRDM-2 (See the Estonia section in the Variants section). All BRDM-2s have now been withdrawn from both the military and police service. Ukraine , 25 February 2022. In the Russo-Ukrainian War, the BRDM-2 and several of its variants were used by both sides. On the morning of 13 June 2014, during the First Battle of Mariupol, the Azov Battalion, Dnipro-1 Battalion and the National Guard of Ukraine retook the city and key buildings occupied by insurrectionists killing five militants and destroying an insurrectionist BRDM-2 armoured vehicle. BRDM-2s also saw action during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, primarily on the Ukrainian side. As of January 23rd 2026 the open source intelligence website Oryx reports 18 BRDM-2s lost on the Russian side, and 164 for the Ukrainians. Syria Syria received hundreds of BRDM-2, as well as specialized variants, BRDM-2 RKh (radiological-chemical recce), 9P122, 9P148 (both anti-tank missile carriers) and 9K31 Strela-1 (SAM version). BRDM-2 and 9P122s saw widespread service against Israel during the 1973 Kippur War. Israel managed to capture enough of them to use them with its own forces. Therefore, during the 1982 Lebanon War, both Israelis and Syrians deployed BRDM-2s. The Syrian Armed Forces used the BRDM-2s for security patrols during the Lebanon Civil War, the light vehicles proving themselves very suitable for this type of operation. At the beginning of the 2010s, the BRDM-2s, thought to be unsuitable to modern combat against Israeli forces, were retired from service. They were mostly used as riot control vehicle during the 2011 protests that led to the Syrian Civil War. During this war, the BRDM-2s or 9P148s were rarely seen in action, most of the usage being local initiatives of governmental or rebel units. A few were modified by the Islamic State into VBIEDs. The Kurdish YPG, lacking armor, used all the vehicles they could including at least two BRDM-2s. Other operators Like all Soviet equipment, the BRDM-2 was also sold to many Arab and African countries. It is used by 38 armies. The BRDM-2 has enjoyed popularity on the export market because it was cheap, easy to operate and reliable. These factors made the BRDM-2 a more popular export reconnaissance vehicle than the BRM-1K, which was much more expensive and complicated to operate. BRDM-2 armoured scout cars were used by the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) during the Ten-Day War as well as the initial operations in Croatia during the Croatian War of Independence. The BRDM-2 was also used by the Yugoslav Army (VJ) against the KLA during the Kosovo war. BRDM-2 armoured scout cars are used by Polish, Ukrainian and Russian units of the Kosovo Force. The Sudanese Armed Forces used several BRDM-2s during the Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile and at least 2 were captured by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North in December 2012. List of conflicts • 1966–1990: South African Border War (FAPLA) • 1973: Yom Kippur War (Egypt and Syria) • 1975–1991: Western Sahara War (Polisario) • 1979–1989: Soviet-Afghan War (Soviet Union and Afghanistan) • 1980–1988: Iran-Iraq War (Iran and Iraq) • 1982 Lebanon War (Syria) • 1983: United States invasion of Grenada (Grenada) • 1991–2001: Yugoslav Wars • 1991: Ten-Day War (Yugoslavia) • 1991–1995: Croatian War of Independence • 1991–1995: Bosnian War • 1998–1999: Kosovo War • 1990–1991: Gulf War (Iraq) • 1992: Transnistrian War • 1992–1993: War in Abkhazia (1992–1993) (Georgia and Abkhazia) • 1994–1996: First Chechen War (Russia and Chechnya) • 1999–2001: Second Chechen War (Russia) • 2001–2021: War in Afghanistan • 2003–2011: Iraq War (Iraq, Bulgaria and Ukraine) • 2005–present: Fatah-Hamas conflict • 2011–2024: Syrian Civil War (Syrian government forces, rebels, ISIS and YPG) • 2011–2020: Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile (Sudan) • 2014–present: Russo-Ukrainian War • 2014–2022: War in Donbas (Russia, Donetsk People's Republic, Luhansk People's Republic and Ukraine) • 2022–present: Russian invasion of Ukraine (Russia, Donetsk People's Republic, Luhansk People's Republic and Ukraine) ==Variants==

Like the BRDM, the BRDM-2 exists in several versions. Soviet Union Museum, Israel, 2005. . . . vehicle (loudspeaker) in Minsk during 2020–21 Belarusian protests. • BRDM-2 – basic reconnaissance vehicle, distinguished by its turret, which is the same as that mounted on the BTR-60PB. The conical turret, which mounts two machine guns (14.5 mm and 7.62 mm), is unusual in that it has no top hatch opening. This model carries a crew of four: the commander, the gunner, the driver, and the co-gunner. It also has a land navigation system that gives co-ordinate readings. Late Production version had mushroom-type vents on top of engine compartment. Final production model had two additional turret periscopes, one on top of turret and the other one on the left hand side of the turret and a TNA-2 navigation apparatus. It was also known under designations BTR-40PB, BTR-40P-2 and GAZ 41-08. Azerbaijan • Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense led the effort for a local variant of BRDM-2 that is named ZKDM. The layout of the vehicle was completely modified compared to the old BRDM-2, the small windows are removed and the front of the hull is fitted with new armour. The driver is seated at the front of the hull on the left with the vehicle commander to his right. The top of the hull is fitted with two roof hatches immediately behind the commander and driver. One single door is available on each side of the hull. provided by the removal of the small tires on the sides of the vehicle. The single water-jet at the rear of the hull is removed. The gasoline engine of the BRDM2 is replaced with a new diesel engine D-245.30E2 developing 150 hp to increase the maximum road speed of the vehicle to 100 km/h. The ZKDM uses technology of V-hull to increase vehicle and crew survivability by deflecting an upward directed blast from a landmine (or Improvised Explosive Device) away from the vehicle. The body of the ZKDM provides protection level B-32 against armor-piercing incendiary full metal jacket round with a hardened steel core. The ZKDM has a total weight of 7,300 kg with a crew of three, including commander, driver and gunner. The ZKDM is fitted with a new turret armed with a double-barrel, 23 mm GSh-23 cannon, one 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, one 30 mm AGS-17 grenade launchers, four 57 or 80 mm rocket launchers and two smoke grenade launchers mounted on each side of the vehicle. The turret is remotely controlled by the gunner and fitted with fire control system. The weapons have an elevation of +15º, a depression of −30º and the turret can be traversed through a full 360º. Standard equipment of the ZKDM includes BPK-2-42-day/night sight, a TV vision system with a maximum range of 1,000 m, and GPS navigation system GLONASS. Belarus • Alesiya – Modified BRDM-2 for civilian usage as an amphibious armoured truck. • Cayman – Upgraded BRDM-2 with no turret. Entered service in 2017. It has been exported to Ivory Coast and Angola. Its combat weight is 8.5 tons. Bosnia and Herzegovina • BRDM-2 based tank destroyers converted into APCs. Iraq • BRDM-2 armed with 23 mm gun with top handle and cylindrical flash eliminator instead of 14.5 mm KPV heavy machine gun and a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial general-purpose machine gun. It was intended to be used for fire support. Poland • BRDM-2RS – Polish designation for BRDM-2RKhb. • BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal Plus" – (Szakal – Jackal) Because of the high risk of Polish vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan getting hit and destroyed or damaged by RPG launchers, in 2004 the WZMech design team fitted it with an RPG fence all around vehicle, anti-cumulation screens, additional armour and internal anti-splinter mats. BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal Plus" can resist hits 7.62 mm armour piercing rounds, anti-infantry mines and old RPG types like the RPG-7. As a result of all that additional protection, however, the weight of the vehicle went up to 8.5 tonnes. Prototype. Other models have a new turret MA3 or MA4 that is also mounted on the MT-LBM series. All models have the engine exhaust on the right side of the vehicle only. Some have raised horizontal engine decks to fit the new engines. • BRDM-2MB "Bekas" - In June 2020, B-ARMS company presented a new modernization of the BRDM-2 under the name BRDM-2MB Bekas. In fact, "Bekas" has become a modified version of the BRDM-2MS. In the new improvement, the location of additional armored screens has been changed, which have become more compact and fit more closely to the armor. In addition, a new air conditioning system was added to the vehicle, the brake and fuel systems were improved. In the cabin, sprung seats were installed, in the design of which there are shock absorbers adjustable in terms of stiffness. In addition to comfort for the crew, these seats have the ability to damp an impulse when a mine is blown up under an armored car. Changes to the internal layout of the armored car made it possible to make the fighting compartment more spacious. The gearbox has received synchronization. During the past tests of the armored car, its smooth running was noted. The amphibious capabilities of the vehicle were preserved, but significantly decreased. Now the water travel is about 2 kilometers per hour. The bulkhead between the "habitable" compartment and the engine compartment is sealed. This prevents the vehicle from sinking in case of unsuccessful crossing of water obstacles completely and also protects the crew in the event of an engine fire. Serbia • BRDM-2MS – 30 pieces delivered in 2020. Slovakia • BRDM-2 fitted with a new engine, new armament and side doors. Belly wheels have been removed. Ukraine • BRDM-2D or BRDM-2SMD – by Morozov upgraded version with SMD-21-08 diesel engine with power of 145 hp (108 kW). It also has a new transmission system and new radio equipment. The belly wheels have been removed and side hatches added. In service. • BRDM-2DI – upgrade from NRMZ with IVECO 138 hp diesel engine and side doors. For the first time presented in 2005. Prototype. United States • BRDM-2 used by the US Army in the OPFOR role. It is fitted with the MILES laser-tag system and a strobe light to indicate if the vehicle is hit. There are perhaps 20 BRDM-2 vehicles in private hands in the US, maintained and driven by enthusiasts. ==Operators==

Current operators • : 60 BRDM-2 and 64 9P122 "Malyutka". • : 600 • : 120 • : 29 • : Caiman variant in service. • : ~100 • • : 100 BRDM-2 used for the special forces and 50 modernized with a 120 mm mortar • : 2 • : 300 BRDM-2, BRDM-2UM + 100 modernized to BRDM-2M96i by Poland. • : 6 • • • : 17 • : 4 delivered by Ukraine in 1998. The Iraqi Regular Army operated 1,300 BRDM-1 and BRDM-2 armoured scout cars and vehicles based on them. • : Peshmerga • : 13 delivered by Belarus between 2002 and 2003. • : at least 10 upgraded BRDM-2MS supplied by Russia in late 2018 - January 2020. • : 2 • : 350; • : ~35 • • : More than 20 – 64 delivered by USSR and Bulgaria but many of them lost during fights • : 27 • • : 120 BRDM-2 and BRDM-2Rkh • : 33 BRDM-2MS received in early 2020. Further examples received in early 2022. • : 12 total in use with the Namibian Defence Force, most inherited directly from PLAN or captured models in the custody of the former South West African administration. • • : 45 BRDM-2 delivered by Russia to the Palestinian Authority Police in 1995, later seized by Hamas following the Battle of Gaza in June 2007. • People's Defense Units (YPG) • : 20 Late production BDRM-2 model and 12 9P133 ATGM launcher. • : 265 BRDM-2; 87 BRDM-2 R5 in service as of 2024. 87 BRDM-2 R5115 BRDM-2s, ~110 BRDM-2s modernized to BRDM-2M-96 and BRDM-2M-96i, 37 BRDM-2s modernized to BRDM-2M-97 "Żbik-B" and 1 modernized to BRDM-2M-98 "Żbik-A" level, 54 BRDM-2s modernized to BRDM-2M-96ik "Szakal" level, 27 9P133 "Malyutka" and 18 9P148 "Konkurs" tank destroyers, 98 BRDM-2 R-5 command vehicles, a dozen of BRDM-2RS NBC reconnaissance vehicles, an unknown number of BRDM-2 R-1A command vehicles as of 2011. Around 2,080 as of 2013. • : 30 BRDM-2MS, 46 BRDM-2> • • : 60 delivered by Belarus between 2003 and 2004 (39 in 2003 and 21 in 2004). • : 40 delivered in 1978–1979, • : 30 • • • Former operators sit atop a captured Grenadian BRDM-2 during the Invasion of Grenada. • - Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan • Al-Murabitun: operated ex-PLO vehicles in Lebanon (1983–86). • : 30 BRDM-1 and BRDM-2, all withdrawn. • : scrapped or sold to other countries • : 9 • Estonia: 7, some used by the Estonian Police • : 2 • : Passed on to the successor states. • : BRDM-2RCH • : 2 BRDM-2 were delivered by the Soviet Union to Grenada in 1981 or 1982. Both are no longer in service since the 1983 US invasion – one was destroyed and the other was captured. • • • • : 2 donated by Poland by 1992, mostly used by the Suži Airborne Reconnaissance Battalion of the Latvian Land Forces. Later used as target practice. • : 10 • : 10 • : Unknown number operated by the PLO in Lebanon and passed on to the Al-Murabitun in 1983. • South Lebanon Army: Captured vehicles supplied by Israel. • : 6 Retired from service. Retired. • : Passed on to the successor states. • : Passed on to successor states. ==See also==