Overview
The BTR-40 was the Soviet Union's first armored personnel carrier to enter mass production, serving from 1950 through the 1970s. Built on the GAZ-63 4×4 truck chassis, it provided motorized rifle units with protected mobility for transporting infantry squads. While lacking overhead protection and swimming capability, the BTR-40's simplicity and reliability made it successful domestically and with export customers.
Development history
Post-World War II analysis identified the need for protected personnel transport beyond unarmored trucks. The GAZ design bureau developed the BTR-40 using components from the proven GAZ-63 light truck, minimizing development time and production costs. The open-top armored hull provided protection against small arms fire and shell splinters while maintaining automotive simplicity.
Production commenced 1950 at Gorky Automobile Plant, with approximately 8,500 units manufactured through 1960. The vehicle equipped motorized rifle battalions, reconnaissance units, and served as command vehicles. Export deliveries to Warsaw Pact allies and developing nations extended operational service into the 1990s in some armies.
The BTR-40's limitations—particularly lack of NBC protection, limited cross-country mobility, and vulnerability to overhead fire—led to replacement by BTR-152 and eventually BTR-60, though the design validated the wheeled APC concept for Soviet doctrine.
Technical specifications
Dimensions and mobility
Length: 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in)
Width: 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Ground clearance: 0.3 m (12 in)
Weight: 5.3 tonnes combat loaded
Crew: 2 (driver, commander) + 8 infantry
Powerplant: GAZ-40 6-cylinder gasoline engine, 80 hp
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Suspension: Leaf spring on all wheels
Drive: 4×4 with front and rear live axles
Performance
Maximum road speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
Road range: 285 km (177 mi)
Fuel capacity: 120 liters (32 US gallons)
Fording: 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in) without preparation
Gradient: 30 degrees
Trench crossing: 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in)
Protection
Armor: 8–13 mm steel plate on welded hull
Frontal protection: 13 mm maximum against small arms
Side/rear protection: 8 mm against rifle caliber threats
Overhead protection: None (open-top configuration)
NBC protection: None
Crew protection: Seats positioned below hull top edge providing limited protection from overhead fire
Armament
Baseline: None in basic APC role
BTR-40A variant: ZPU-2 twin 14.5mm machine guns on pedestal mount for anti-aircraft role
BTR-40B variant: Single 12.7mm DShK machine gun on pintle mount
Infantry weapons: Squad weapons fired over side armor by embarked infantry
Operational characteristics
Mobility advantages
Automotive reliability: Proven GAZ-63 components ensuring high operational readiness and simplified maintenance.
Road mobility: High road speed enabling rapid movement on improved surfaces.
Simple operation: Minimal driver training required compared to tracked vehicles.
Ease of maintenance: Standard automotive tools and techniques for field repairs.
Tactical limitations
Off-road mobility: Limited compared to tracked vehicles, restricted in soft soil and rough terrain.
Armor protection: Inadequate against 12.7mm heavy machine guns and artillery fragments.
Overhead vulnerability: Open top exposing crew and infantry to airbursts and grenades.
Cargo capacity: Only 8 infantry with limited equipment storage.
NBC exposure: No protection against chemical or radiological threats.
Employment doctrine
Motorized rifle transport: Moving infantry squads from assembly areas to battle positions.
Reconnaissance: Providing protected mobility for reconnaissance patrols on roads and improved terrain.
Command vehicles: Modified versions with radios for battalion and regimental command posts.
Rear area security: Guard duties, convoy escort, military police functions.
Variants
BTR-40A
Anti-aircraft variant: ZPU-2 twin 14.5mm machine gun mount replacing troop compartment.
Crew reduction: 3 personnel (driver, commander, gunner) instead of infantry squad.
Fire control: Simple ring sight for engaging low-flying aircraft.
Ammunition: 600 rounds of 14.5×114mm B-32 armor-piercing incendiary.
BTR-40B (BTR-40A-1)
Improved AA variant: Single 14.5mm ZGU-1 heavy machine gun on stabilized mount.
Enhanced sights: Improved optical sight and tracer observation for anti-aircraft engagement.
Dual-purpose: Engagement of both aircraft and ground targets.
BTR-40Zh
Command post: Fitted with additional radio equipment for battalion/regimental command.
Reduced capacity: Additional radio sets requiring space formerly occupied by infantry.
Extended range: Additional fuel tanks and generator for sustained operations.
Operational service
Soviet use
Korean War: Limited deployment with Chinese forces receiving Soviet equipment.
1956 Hungary: Deployed during Budapest uprising suppression.
Border troops: Extensive service with KGB border guard units through 1970s.
Training: Continued use at military schools after frontline replacement.
Export and foreign service
Warsaw Pact: Standard equipment for Polish, Czechoslovak, East German, Bulgarian armies.
Middle East: Egyptian, Syrian, Iraqi forces receiving BTR-40s through 1960s-70s.
Southeast Asia: Vietnamese forces using BTR-40s during Indochina conflicts.
Africa: Various African nations receiving vehicles as military aid.
Extended service: Some operators maintaining BTR-40s into 1990s due to simplicity and availability of spare parts.
Combat performance
Infantry protection: Effective against small arms encountered in counterinsurgency and limited warfare.
Vulnerability: Heavy casualties when exposed to artillery or heavy weapons fire.
Mobility limitations: Frequent immobilization in muddy or mountainous terrain.
Maintenance ease: High availability rates due to simple automotive design.
Legacy and assessment
Design influence
Concept validation: Proved wheeled APC viability for Soviet doctrine despite limitations.
Successor development: Lessons learned informed BTR-152 and BTR-60 designs addressing BTR-40's deficiencies.
Export success: Simplicity and low cost making it attractive to developing nations.
Historical significance
First-generation APC: Representing initial Soviet attempts at protected infantry mobility.
Cold War distribution: Widespread deployment establishing Soviet influence through military assistance.
Photographic record: Well-documented service providing historical reference for military enthusiasts and researchers.
Preservation
Museum holdings: Examples preserved at Kubinka Tank Museum and various international military museums.
Private collections: Some vehicles in running condition maintained by collectors and military vehicle preservation groups.
Restoration projects: Ongoing efforts restoring examples for display and operational demonstration.
Related vehicles
BTR-152 (/guide/army/ta/btr152.shtml): Six-wheeled successor with improved protection and capacity.
GAZ-66 (/guide/army/tr/gaz66.shtml): Unarmored light truck sharing design philosophy.
BTR-40 documentation maintained for historical reference and military equipment research purposes.