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MT-LB

Article Discussion

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The MT-LB (Template:Langx, literally "multi-purpose towing vehicle light armored") is a Soviet multi-purpose, fully amphibious, tracked armored fighting vehicle in use since the 1970s. It was also produced in Poland, where (starting in the mid-1990s) its YaMZ engine was replaced by a Polish 6-cylinder SW 680 diesel engine.<ref name="MT-LB multipurpose">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

DevelopmentEdit

In the 1950s, the Soviet Central Auto and Tractor Directorate began a development program to replace the AT-P series of artillery tractors (which were based on the ASU-57 airborne self-propelled gun) with a new generation of vehicles. The MT-L was developed to meet this requirement based on the PT-76 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 was built at the Kharkiv Tractor Plant<ref>vehicles Template:Webarchive</ref> (KhTZ) in Soviet Ukraine, and in Bulgaria.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Formerly, it was also manufactured under license in Poland by Huta Stalowa Wola<ref>http://hsw.pl/czytaj/765 Template:Webarchive Light Armoured Multipurpose Tracked Tractor MTLB</ref>

DescriptionEdit

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 Template:Convert. A load of Template:Convert can be towed. The vehicle is fully amphibious, being propelled by its tracks in the water.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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 Template:Convert of steel with a maximum of Template:Convert for the turret front.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Several weapon systems are based on this hull (for example Strela-10 or SNAR-10).

VariantsEdit

Template:More citations needed section

Former USSREdit

File:Штурм-С - Контрольная проверка курсантов Учебного центра боевого применения ракетных войск и артиллерии 02.jpg
9P149 vehicle based on the MT-LB of the Shturm-S tank destroyer.
  • 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 dozer blade.Template:Citation needed

BulgariaEdit

  • Bulgaria has various models of the MT-LB in service, as of 2016.Template:Sfn Along with the base model, between 1971 and 2012, Bulgaria manufactured the MT-LB VM variation with improved snow and swamp-going capabilities.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
File:MT-LBMB with MB2 combat module - Bronnitsy test range.jpg
The upgraded MT-LBM 6MB with MB2 turret, whose main armament is a 2A72 30 mm automatic cannon.

East GermanyEdit

  • MT-LB (Pi) – combat engineer vehicle.<ref>Gau L-R., Plate J., Siegert J. (2001) Deutsche Militärfahrzeuge – Bundeswehr und NVA. Motorbuch Verlag. Template:ISBN</ref>
  • 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.

IraqEdit

File:Iraqi MT-LB.JPEG
Iraqi MT-LB converted into a SPAAG armed with a ZU-2 anti-aircraft gun.
File:Iraqi military men riding on tank.jpg
Iraqi MT-LBV fitted with wider tracks.
  • MT-LB converted into a SPAAG by mounting a ZU-23-2 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

PolandEdit

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.<ref name="poligon">Jerzy Kajetanowicz, Prace nad rozwojem sprzętu pancernego w Polsce – przegląd lat 1955–1990 in: Poligon nr.5/2010, pp.12–18 (in Polish)</ref>

  • 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:<ref name="poligon" />
    • TRI Hors – engineering reconnaissance vehicle, built in series from 1983, armed with 12.7mm NSVT AAMG mounted on a turret;<ref name="poligon" />
    • WPT Mors-II – armored recovery and repair vehicle, produced from 1986, armed with 12.7mm NSVT AAMG mounted on a turret;<ref name="poligon" />
    • 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.<ref name="militarium.net">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Prototypes only {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

    • BWO-40 – infantry fighting vehicle with 40 mm Bofors gun. A similar turret was mounted on the BWP-40 (BMP-1 upgrade). Prototype only.

RussiaEdit

Vehicle in serviceEdit

  • MT-LB
  • MT-LBV - entering service in 1972, introduced new roadwheel swing arms, fenders and mudguards to accommodate a wider set of tracks. A modification with wider tracks (670mm instead of 350mm) for lower ground pressure for snow/swamp operations.
  • MT-LBVM - equipped with the NSVT 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun mount instead of the TKB-01-1 turret.
  • MT-LBVMK – a modification of MT-LBVM with a 12.7mm Kord instead of a 12.7mm NSVT machine gun.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Engine: YaMZ-238VM with rated power of 240 hp.

  • MT-LBVM1K - mountain modification, equipped with the new YaMZ-238BL-1 engine with rated power of 300 hp, new on-board radio station and new heater.
  • MT-LBu – a bigger, unarmed version that is used as the basis for many specialised vehicles. It has a more powerful engine, a 40 cm higher hull and a longer chassis with 7 road wheels on each side, instead of 6.
  • MT-LBM 6MB - 30mm autocannon turret mounted above the main compartment.

PrototypesEdit

Hybrid vehicles:

  • MT-LB with ZU-23 AA gun<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • MT-LB With 14.5mm BPU-1 Turret
  • MT-LB with 14.5mm 2M-7 naval gun mount
  • MT-LB with AZP S-60 AA gun
  • MT-LB with 100mm MT-12 anti-tank gun
  • MT-LB with 82 mm automatic mortar 2B9 Vasilek
  • MT-LB with 25mm 2M-3 naval gun
  • MT-LB with 140mm Ogon-18 MLRS

Vehicle not in serviceEdit

  • Toros – Arctic adapted vehicle developed by Muromteplovoz, armed with a 30mm autocannon 2A42, PKMT 7.62mm machine gun, and 30mm AGS-17D grenade launcher, and equipped with a snowplow.<ref name="Russia could order">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="urlTłumacz Google">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

SwedenEdit

File:401 vinter.jpg
Swedish MT-LB converted into Pbv 401
  • Pbv 401 (pansarbandvagn) – a modified former East-German vehicle with 7.62 mm machine guns Ksp 95 and Ksp 58.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

UkraineEdit

  • MT-LBMSh – announced in 2017, and built for Myanmar by the Kharkiv Tractor Plant. Equipped with a KBA-105 "Shkval" combat module with a 30 mm autocannon, KT-7,62 machine gun, KBA-117 30 mm grenade launcher, six smoke grenade launchers 902B Tucha, and Barrier ATGM system. The vehicle also has reinforced armor and a new YaMZ-238B engine with 330 horsepower.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:UA MT-LB with MT-12.jpg
MT-LB-12
  • BMP-1LB − Infantry fighting vehicle equipped with slat armor, and a BM-7 Parus remote-controlled weapon station featuring a 30 mm autocannon, twin machine guns, and an automatic grenade launcher. Early models suffered from slow speed and weak engines.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

OperatorsEdit

File:MT-LB v.2.png
Map of MT-LB operatorsTemplate:LegendTemplate:Legend

Current operatorsEdit

File:Resting iron Bangladesh Army MT-LB APC. (36251501343).jpg
Bangladesh Army MT-LB on exhibition.

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Template:Flag – 3,300 in active service before the start of Russo-Ukrainian War.Template:Sfn As of May 9th 2025, Russia has lost 1710 MT-LBs of various variants in the Russo-Ukrainian War.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2018 nine MT-LBs received from Poland (those vehicles were previously in Polish service).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

    • As of May 9th 2025, Ukraine has lost 156 MT-LBs of various variants during Russia's invasion.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Former operatorsEdit

File:LT MT-LB.jpg
Lithuanian Army MT-LB on exhibition.

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Template:CRO – 6 SNAR-10 stored, for scrap.
  • Template:Flagicon Czechoslovakia – Passed on to the Czech Republic.
  • Template:DDR – 721 Bulgarian-made MT-LBs, 32 SNAR-10 and 36 Strela-10M. Unified with West Germany.
  • Template:GER – taken from GDR's army, all scrapped or sold to other countries.
  • {{#invoke:flag||Hungary|}} – Strela-10 and SNAR-10
  • Template:Flag<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Template:LIT – 10 retired.Template:Sfn
  • {{#invoke:flag||Poland}} – 15 retiredTemplate:Sfn
  • Template:USSR – Passed on to successor states.
  • {{#invoke:flag||Sweden}} – 460 (Locally designated Pbv 401, former East German, bought in 1993, then decommissioned gradually until the last 147 examples were sold to Finland in 2011)<ref name="milfi">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See alsoEdit

NotesEdit

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ReferencesEdit

External linksEdit

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