Former Soviet Union
BTR-50PK The design of the BTR-SOP can be traced back to the early 1950s. It has been in service so long that it is now used more as a general or special purpose carrier for systems and other applications than as an APC, although many nations continue to appreciate the vehicle's considerable troop-carrying capacity of 20 fully-equipped troops. The BTR-SOP is based on the chassis of the PT-76 amphibious light tank and, as an APC, seats the passengers along benches in an area behind the fully protected crew compartment, with the only armament carried being a pintlemounted 7.62 mm MG. ' The troop compartment is open with troops having to enter and leave over the sides - the only protection against the elements is a canvas cover. On the BTR-50PK the troop compartment is fully enclosed, the troops entering and leaving through roof hatches. At one time ramps were provided to allow light artillery pieces to be loaded onto, and fired from, the rear hull decking but later models (BTR-50PA) lack this facility
BTR-SOP variants have been many including command, mine-clearing, repair and recovery vehicles of various types. A command vehicle is known as the BTR-50PU. The Chinese also produced a copy known as the Type 77 (qv) while the former Czechoslovakia produced a modified version known astheOT-62. The BTR-SOP series was widely exported and remains in service with many nations, so many in fact that an
Israeli concern saw fit to market an updating package which included a new diesel power pack - Israel has been one of the many nations utilising the BTR-SOP. With many user nations the BTRSOP and its variants are no longer employed as front line APCs but are instead retained as front line supply and fuel carriers or have been converted to technical support vehicles to keep other vehicle types running.
BTR-SOPK
