Polish Defense Firm Modernizes Over 100 BTR-70s for Unspecified Recipient
28 January, 2025 Modernized BTR-70DI in Poland. Photo credits: Rafal Bienkowski The Polish company MISTA has restored and modernized more than 150 armored personnel carriers to the BTR-70DI version, the final recipient of which may be Ukraine.
The restoration of the equipment is reported by Aeromag magazine. An armored enterprise in Stalowa Wola, which specializes in the production of the well-known Ukrainian-Polish armored vehicles Oncilla, has overhauled and modernized more than 150 Soviet BTR-70 armored personnel carriers. The source of the armored vehicles is unknown, as these armored personnel carriers have never been in service in Poland.
In addition, neighboring countries such as Moldova and Romania use copies of the TAB-77, which are different from the vehicles shown.
- Modernized BTR-70DI in Poland. Photo credits: Rafal Bienkowski
- Modernized BTR-70DI in Poland. Photo credits: Rafal Bienkowski
- Modernized BTR-70DI in Poland.
Photo credits: Rafal Bienkowski
- Modernized BTR-70DI in Poland. Photo credits: Rafal Bienkowski
Modernization of the BTR-70
It is reported that the upgrade to the BTR-70DI version involved replacing a pair of old gasoline engines with new Western-made diesel engines along with a gearbox. Side doors were cut into the vehicle hull to replace the old hatches in the lower part of the sides.
The armored personnel carriers have also been equipped with updated surveillance devices and thermal imaging sights, satellite navigation systems, electronic warfare systems and drone protection nets. The modernization project, like its name, resembles the BTR-70DI upgrade developed by Mykolaiv Armored Plant designers, except for the artillery armament. It included the installation of a pair of Iveco Tector engines and a six-speed manual transmission.
In addition, the photos of the vehicles modernized in Poland show the PP-61 gunner's thermal imaging sight and the camera of the driver of the MBT SPO manufactured by the Ukrainian company Trimen. They have been previously seen on other models of Ukrainian armored vehicles.
Modernized BRT-70DI with the SPO MBT equipment set, Poland.
Photo credits: Rafal Bienkowski
Modernized BTR-70 armored personnel carriers of similar configuration were previously seen in service with the 151st separate mechanized brigade. The Ukrainian military generally praised the quality of the overhaul and the capabilities of the modernized vehicle. In particular, the video of the use of the vehicle shows the anti-drone nets mentioned by the Polish developer.
In addition, the company announced the delivery of more than 200 Oncilla 4x4 armored vehicles "that have proven to be effective in real combat situations." Militarnyi reported that as of March 2024, the Polish company had supplied 100 such vehicles to the Ukrainian military.
They were seen in use by the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and a number of units of the Main Intelligence Directorate.