The BTR-3E1 is an 8×8 wheeled combat vehicle designed to carry infantry troops, arms and supplies on the battlefield while providing fire support from a turret mounted gun. It can also carry out reconnaissance, combat support, and patrol missions. The BTR-3E1 armored personnel carrier is designed, manufactured and marketed by the Ukrainian Defence Company UkrespectExport. The BTR-3E1 is based to the BTR-3U Guardian which was developed as a private venture in 2000 by Ukrainian and Unired Arab Emirates companies. The BTR-3U is an improved variant of the Russian made wheeled armoured personnel carrier BTR-80. The BTR-3E1 is the export variant of the BTR-3U. Thailand has placed an order for 96 BTR-3E1 series vehicles and the first of these were delivered early in 2009. The first 2 of 96 BTR-3E1 have been delilvered at U Tapao Airport on 17 September 2010. The second batch of 121 BTR-3E1 with a price tag of 5 billlion Baht have been ordered by Royal Thai Army and 14 BTR-3E1 has been ordered by Royal Thai Navy to be used by Royal Thai Marine Corps.

Ukraine will produce armored vehicles in Thailand

20:29, 3 November 2015

The signed agreement provides the production of armored vehicles of BTR-3 family

November 2, in Bangkok, Thailand, the international exhibition of triple purpose armament (for Army, Navy and Air Force) “Defense & Security-2015” started its work. The exhibition will run until November 5.

The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Minister of Defense Stepan Poltorak. Representatives of the State Concern “UKROBORONPROM” and State Enterprise “UKRSPETSEXPORT” also joined the event.

In the course of exhibition the negotiations between members of the Ukrainian delegation, Vice-Prime Minister – Minister of Defense of Thailand Prawit Wongsuwan cand the senior military leadership of the country took place. The negotiations concerned the extension of military cooperation between two states.

Ukrainian product of the Defense Industrial Complex as part of joint stand of the State Concern “UKROBORONPROM” was presented by “UKRSPETSEXPORT”. In particular, the exhibition presented new samples of anti-tank guided missiles, demonstrated MBT “OPLOT” APC-3E1and other military equipment. This year the exhibition “Defense & Security-2015” is attended by 37 official delegations from all around the world and 400 defense companies from 50 different countries.

Earlier it was reported that Ukraine and Thailand discussed the possibility of joint production of Ukrainian armored vehicles, including BTR-3E1. Production will be concentrated on the territory of Thailand. Source 112.international

Armament

The BTR-3E1 is fitted with the BM-3 Shturm turret. The turret is armed with a ZTM-1 30 mm automatic gun which can be remotely operated to provide increased solider protection in hostile environments. The 30mm gun has a maximum firing rate of 330 rounds per minute and can fire AP-T (Armour Piercing – Tracer), HEF-I (High Explosive Fragmentation – Incendiary) and HE-T (High Explosve – Tracer) rounds.A 7.62 mm machine gune is mounted at the left side of the main armament. Three smoke-grenades discharger are mounted to each side at the front of the turret. Anti-tank missile launcher “Barrier” are mounted at the right side of th turret and a 30 mm automatic grenade launcher AGS-17 is mounted at the left side.The Turret is equipped with a fire control system with SVU-500 weapon stabilizer and on track sighting system with TV screen day/night and integrated laser range finder.

Protection

The hull and turret of the Guardian APC are of all-welded steel armour, providing the occupants with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. A Kevlar liner can be provided for increased protection.The driver is seated at the front of the hull on the left side with the vehicle commander to his right.

Propulsion

The BTR-3E1 used a 8×8 chassis. The BTR-3E1 is powered by a Diesel engine UTD-20 mounted at the rear of the vehicle, coupled to a mechanical transmission. The engine compartment is fitted with an automatic double-action fire extinguishing system. The BTR-3E1 can run at a maximum road speed of 95 km/h with a range road of 850 km. source armyrecognition.com