The MT-LB (russian: Многоцелевой Тягач Легкий Бронированный, translit=Mnogotselevoy tyagach legky bronirovanny, literally "multi-purpose towing vehicle light armored") is a
Soviet
The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, ...
multi-purpose, fully
amphibious, tracked
armored fighting vehicle in use since the 1950s. It was also produced in
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populous ...
, where (starting in the mid-1990s) its
YaMZ
OJSC «Autodiesel» (ОАО «Автоди́зель») known as the Yaroslavl Motor Plant (YaMZ), Russian: Яросла́вский мото́рный заво́д (ЯМЗ), romanized: Yaroslavskyi Motornyi Zavod (YaMZ), based in Yaroslavl, Russi ...
engine was replaced by a Polish 6-cylinder SW 680 diesel engine.
Development
In the 1950s, the
Soviet Central Auto
The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen national ...
and
Tractor Directorate
A tractor is an engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort (or torque) at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery such as that used in agriculture, mining or construction. Most common ...
began a development program to replace the AT-P series of artillery tractors (which were based on the
ASU-57
The ASU-57 was a small, lightly constructed Soviet assault gun specifically designed for use by Soviet airborne divisions. From 1960 onwards, it was gradually phased out in favour of the ASU-85.
Development history
The task to develop a lightw ...
airborne self-propelled gun) with a new generation of vehicles. The MT-L was developed to meet this requirement based on the
PT-76
The PT-76 is a Soviet amphibious light tank that was introduced in the early 1950s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Army and the other Warsaw Pact armed forces. It was widely exported to other friendly states, like ...
amphibious light tank chassis. The MT-LB is the armored variant of the MT-L. Entering production in the early 1970s, it was cheap to build, being based on many existing components, e.g. the engine, which was originally developed for trucks. It is built at the
Kharkiv Tractor Plant
Kharkiv Tractor Plant (KhTZ or HTZ) ( uk, Харківський тракторний завод, translit=Kharkivskyi Traktornyi Zavod) is an agricultural machinery manufacturer in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Established in 1930-31, as a center ...
and
Bulgaria
Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedon ...
. Formerly it was also manufactured under license in
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populous ...
by
Huta Stalowa Wola
Description
The crew, a driver and a commander/gunner, sit in a compartment at the front of the vehicle, with the engine behind them. A compartment at the rear enables up to 11 infantry to be carried or a cargo of up to 2,000 kg. A load of 6,500 kg can be towed. The vehicle is fully amphibious, being propelled by its tracks in the water.
A small turret at the front of the vehicle fits a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun with 360-degree manual traverse and an elevation of −5 to +30 degrees. The vehicle is lightly armored against small arms and shell splinters with a thickness of 3 to 10 mm of steel with a maximum of 14 mm for the turret front.
Several weapon systems are based on this hull (for example
Strela-10
The 9K35 ''Strela-10'' (russian: 9К35 «Стрела-10»; en, arrow) is a Soviet highly mobile, short-range surface-to-air missile system. It is visually aimed, and utilizes optical/ infrared-guidance. The system is primarily intended to engag ...
or SNAR-10).
Variants
Former USSR
* MT-L
** MT-LB (izdeliye 6) – basic model, often used as simple APC but also as artillery tractor or ambulance. In the West the term MT-LB Blade or MT-LB M1980 is used for vehicles that are fitted with a
hydraulic
Hydraulics (from Greek: Υδραυλική) is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids. At a very basic level, hydraulics is the liquid counter ...
dozer blade
A bulldozer or dozer (also called a crawler) is a large, motorized machine equipped with a metal blade to the front for pushing material: soil, sand, snow, rubble, or rock during construction work. It travels most commonly on continuous tracks, ...
.
Russian Federation
* MT-LBM (izdeliye 6M) – MT-LB modernization developed by Muromteplovoz in the 1990s. It can be fitted with several different turrets.
* 2S24 – mortar carrier with 2B24 (or
2B14 "Podnos") 82 mm mortar and 83 rounds. The
GRAU designation for the carrier vehicle, mortar, and ammunition is 2K32 "Deva". The 2S24 was designed by TsNII "Burevestnik" and has a crew of five. In service with
RF Interior Ministry.
* MT-LBVMK – a modification of MT-LBVM with "
Kord" 12.7 mm machine gun instead of
NSVT
Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach or VT) is a fast heart rate arising from the lower chambers of the heart. Although a few seconds of VT may not result in permanent problems, longer periods are dangerous; and multiple episodes over a short period ...
12.7 mm.
* Toros –
Arctic
The Arctic ( or ) is a polar regions of Earth, polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut), Danish Realm (Greenla ...
adapted vehicle developed by Muromteplovoz based on the MT-LB chassis, armed with a
30mm autocannon 2A42,
PKMT 7.62mm machine gun, and 30mm
AGS-17D grenade launcher, and equipped with a
snowplow
A snowplow (also snow plow, snowplough or snow plough) is a device intended for mounting on a vehicle, used for removing snow and ice from outdoor surfaces, typically those serving transportation purposes. Although this term is often used to re ...
. Toros is able to operate in −45 °C.
Bulgaria
* Bulgaria has various models of the MT-LB in service, as of 2016. Along with the base model, between 1971 and 2012 Bulgaria manufactures MT-LB VM variation with improved snow and swamp-going capabilities.
East Germany
* MT-LB (Pi) – combat engineer vehicle.
* MT-LB (Pzj) – version for anti-tank units.
* MT-LB (Pzj Fü) – command vehicle for anti-tank units.
* MT-LB (BO) SFL – battery command vehicle in self-propelled artillery units.
* San MT-LB – ambulance
* MTP-LB – technical support vehicle.
Iraq
![Iraqi military men riding on tank](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Iraqi_military_men_riding_on_tank.jpg)
* MT-LB converted into a
SPAAG
An anti-aircraft vehicle, also known as a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) or self-propelled air defense system (SPAD), is a mobile vehicle with a dedicated anti-aircraft capability.
Specific weapon systems used include machine guns, ...
by mounting a
ZU-23-2
The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23×152mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon. ZU stands for ''Zenitnaya Ustanovka'' (Russian: Зенитная Установка) – anti-aircraft mount. The GRAU index is 2A13.
Developm ...
23×152mm twin anti-aircraft gun on the rear part of the vehicle. The gun had its wheels removed and as such cannot be easily dismounted and used separately. There were at least two variations of this conversion; one with the ZU-23-2 mounted in an open-topped turret, the other with the ZU-23-2 mounted on a platform extending beyond the hull of the MT-LB with a roof for the gun operators. The second version was most likely intended to be used in a fire support role, as the roof would hinder the gun's sights at high elevation.
Poland
Polish
HSW S.A. (Huta Stalowa Wola S.A.) license produced MT-LB since 1976, and it also developed a modified chassis SPG-2, with better floating capabilities.
[Jerzy Kajetanowicz, ''Prace nad rozwojem sprzętu pancernego w Polsce – przegląd lat 1955–1990'' in: Poligon nr.5/2010, pp.12–18 (in Polish)]
* MT-LB-2AP – APC variant with a turret from
SKOT-2AP, armed with high elevation 14.5mm KPVT MG and 7.62mm PKT CMG. Prototype only.
* WEM Lotos – medical evacuation vehicle with four stretchers.
* WPT Mors – armored recovery and repair vehicle, produced from 1983.
* R-137T (''radiostacja ruchoma UKF'') – signals vehicle with VHF radio set R-137. Entered service in 1987 and has a range of 70 to 150 km.
** ZWD-1 "Irys" (''zautomatyzowany wóz dowodzenia'') – command vehicle, belongs to the automated command set "Irys".
* MT-LB-23M "Krak" – APC variant with a 23 mm gun in an unmanned turret. Prototype only.
* Promet – self-propelled AA gun with twin 23 mm guns, from 1979. Four prototypes only.
* "Przebiśnieg" – electronic warfare system, consists of three different vehicles:
** SZ or MT-LB Z (''stacja zakłóceń'') – EW/Jamming vehicle;
** SR or MT-LB R (''stacja rozpoznania'') – Comint/Sigint vehicle;
** WD krel – command post vehicle (''wóz dowodzenia kompanii radioelektronicznej'').
* SPG-2 – much-modified base vehicle, with reworked nose section and hydro jets for better floating:
** TRI Hors – engineering reconnaissance vehicle, built in series from 1983, armed with 12.7mm NSVT AAMG mounted on a turret;
** WPT Mors-II – armored recovery and repair vehicle, produced from 1986, armed with 12.7mm NSVT AAMG mounted on a turret;
** Opal-I and Opal-II – artillery command vehicles, with a turret with NSWT-12.7 Utios: Opal-I with a 245 hp (180 kW) turbocharged diesel engine SW680/167/1, Opal-II with a 300 hp (220 kW) engine SW680T (YaMZ-238N) and a longer chassis with 7 road wheels on each side.
Prototypes only.
** BWO-40 – infantry fighting vehicle with 40 mm Bofors gun. A similar turret was mounted on the BWP-40 (
BMP-1
The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle, in service 1966–present. BMP stands for ''Boyevaya Mashina Pyekhoty 1'' (russian: link=no, Боевая Машина Пехоты 1; БМП-1), meaning "infantry fighting ve ...
upgrade). Prototype only.
Sweden
![401 vinter](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/401_vinter.jpg)
* Pbv 401 (''pansarbandvagn'') – modified a former East-German vehicle with 7.62 mm machine guns Ksp 95 and
Ksp 58.
Ukraine
* MT-LB-12 – A 2022 modification in which a
MT-12 Rapira 100 mm anti-tank gun was mounted on top of the vehicle with an open-topped superstructure for cover. At least two made with more planned. During the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
, Ukraine also deployed improvised chop-jobs combining the hulls of the MT-LB with the
85 mm divisional gun D-44
The 85-mm divisional gun D-44 (russian: 85-мм дивизионная пушка Д-44) was a Soviet divisional 85-mm calibre field artillery gun used in the last action of World War II. It was designed as the replacement for the 76 mm division ...
.
Operators
Current operators
*
* – 336
* – 31
![Resting iron Bangladesh Army MT-LB APC](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Resting_iron_Bangladesh_Army_MT-LB_APC._%2836251501343%29.jpg)
* – 134
*
Boko Haram
Boko Haram, officially known as ''Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād'' ( ar, جماعة أهل السنة للدعوة والجهاد, lit=Group of the People of Sunnah for Dawah and Jihad), is an Islamic terrorist organization ...
– Captured from the
Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army (NA) is the land force of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It is governed by the Nigerian Army Council (NAC). The Chief of Army Staff is the highest ranking military officer of the Nigerian Army.
History Formation
The Nigerian ...
.
* – 100
* – 70
* – 6
* – 10
* – 389 MT-LB/v, 50 MT-LBU
* – 66 in Service
* – About 400 in Service.
* – 150
![LT MT-LB](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/LT_MT-LB.jpg)
* – 60
* – 26
* – 67
* – unknown number of HT-16PGJ based on Strela-10
* – 10
*
People's Defense Units
The People's Defense Units (YPG), (YPG) ; ar, وحدات حماية الشعب, Waḥdāt Ḥimāyat aš-Šaʽb) also called People's Protection Units, is a mainly-Kurdish militia in Syria and the primary component of the Syrian Democr ...
(YPG)
* – 3,300 in active service. Currently being modernized in the version MLBSh for the Marines with more powerful engines KAMAZ-740.50 of 360 hp, new tracks and new weaponry, etc. They are also being upgraded to the version VM1K for the Ground Forces with a domestic 310 hp YAMZ-238BL-1 engine and a new radio station. Some are being equipped as platforms for ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns.
![Russian MT-LB in Ukraine marked](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Russian_MT-LB_in_Ukraine_marked_%22Z%22.jpg)
*
Transnistria
Transnistria, officially the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR), is an unrecognised breakaway state that is internationally recognised as a part of Moldova. Transnistria controls most of the narrow strip of land between the Dniester riv ...
* – 2,090. In 2018 nine MT-LBs received from Poland (those vehicles were previously in Polish service).
* – 5
* – Used by
Opposing force
An opposing force (alternatively enemy force, abbreviated OPFOR) is a military unit tasked with representing an enemy, usually for training purposes in war game scenarios. The related concept of aggressor squadron is used by some air forces. T ...
units
Former operators
* – 6 SNAR-10 stored, for scrap.
*
Czechoslovakia
, rue, Чеськословеньско, , yi, טשעכאסלאוואקיי,
, common_name = Czechoslovakia
, life_span = 1918–19391945–1992
, p1 = Austria-Hungary
, image_p1 ...
– Passed on to the Czech Republic.
* – 721 Bulgarian-made MT-LBs, 32 SNAR-10 and 36 Strela-10M. Unified with West Germany.
* – taken from GDR's army, all scrapped or sold to other countries.
* – Strela-10 and SNAR-10
*
* – 10 retired.
* – 15 retired
* – Passed on to successor states.
* – 460 (Locally designated Pbv 401, former
East German
East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR; german: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, , DDR, ), was a country that existed from its creation on 7 October 1949 until its dissolution on 3 October 1990. In these years the state ...
, bought in 1993, then decommissioned gradually until the last 147 examples were sold to
Finland
Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...
in 2011)
*
See also
*
M113 armored personnel carrier
*
BMP-1
The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle, in service 1966–present. BMP stands for ''Boyevaya Mashina Pyekhoty 1'' (russian: link=no, Боевая Машина Пехоты 1; БМП-1), meaning "infantry fighting ve ...
*
BMP-2
The BMP-2 (''Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty'', , literally "combat machine/vehicle (of the) infantry") is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle introduced in the 1980s in the Soviet Union, following on from the BMP-1 of the 1960s.
Development hist ...
*
BMP-3
*
BTR-50
The BTR-50 (BTR stands for ''Bronetransporter'' (БТР, Бронетранспортер), literally "armored transporter") is a Soviet amphibious armored personnel carrier (APC) based on the PT-76 light tank. The BTR-50 is tracked, unlike mos ...
– a similar vehicle based on
PT-76
The PT-76 is a Soviet amphibious light tank that was introduced in the early 1950s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Army and the other Warsaw Pact armed forces. It was widely exported to other friendly states, like ...
light tank
*
List of AFVs
This is a list of lists of armoured fighting vehicles. __NOTOC__
By period
* List of armoured fighting vehicles of World War I
* List of interwar armoured fighting vehicles
* List of military vehicles of World War II
* List of armoured fighti ...
Notes
References
* *
*
External links
*
Huta Stalowa Wola – producer of MT-LBRussia upgrades firepower for MT-LBJane's, 26 September 2006
{{PostWWIISovietAFVS, APC
Armoured personnel carriers of the Soviet Union
Armoured personnel carriers of the Cold War
Amphibious armoured personnel carriers
Military vehicles introduced in the 1950s