The BTR-60 is an armored personnel carrier of Soviet origin. It was developed in the mid-1950’s to supplement and replace the earlier BTR-152. The BTR-60 was produced in very large quantities and was one of the prominent Soviet combat vehicles. The name BTR stands for Bronetransportyor, which translates to armored transporter. The BTR-60 was supplemented by the BTR-70, a similar but improved design.

The BTR-60 has a layout which was considered unconventional at the time. The driver and commander are seated at the front, the troop compartment is at the middle and the engines are fitted at the rear. The 8x8 chassis with four steerable front wheels results in a long and sleek vehicle. Early versions were fitted with pintle mounted machine guns but the final and most common main variant introduced a one man turret.

The original BTR-60P and BTR-60PA were fitted with one or more pintle mounted 7.62mm SGMB or 12.7mm DShK machine guns. The BTR-60PB is fitted with a one man turret with 14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun and 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun.

The steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. The BTR-60P had no armored roof making the crew vulnerable from high angle fire. The wheels are vulnerable to puncture but the vehicle remains mobile with one or two punctures.

The 8x8 chassis provides a good off road capability, although not at the same level as tracked vehicles. This is offset by a high road speed of up to 80 km/h. Two separate 90 hp gasoline engine provide propulsion, a setup which proved prone to brake downs. The BTR-60 is amphibious and propelled in the water by a water jet at the rear at speeds up to 10 km/h.

The BTR-60 was used in large quantities by the USSR and Warsaw Pact nations and many were exported to nations with close ties to the USSR. Many have been replaced by more modern designs, including the BTR-70 and BTR-80, but large quantities remain in service around the world.