OVERVIEW: The BTR-70 (Russian: Bronetransportyor; armored transporter) is an amphibious 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) of Soviet origin.

DETAILS: The BTR-70 APC was first seen by the West in 1978 and was the successor to the BTR-60 series of 8x8 wheeled APC's which originated in the early 1960's. It was an upgrade to the BTR-60 and features better armor protection, improved tire performance against puncture, a more powerful gasoline engine, and better egress from the passenger compartment although it is still not easy to get out of in a hurry. It is fully amphibious and is propelled in the water by a water jet at the rear of the vehicle. The BTR-70 mounts a 14.5mm KPVT machine gun and a coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun. 

NOTES: A Soviet Motorized Rifle Company (BTR) consists of 12 BTR's in three motorized rifle platoons of three BTR's each, a machine gun/anti-tank platoon of two BTR's, and a company headquarters of one BTR. In addition to vehicle mounted weapons, the motorized rifle company is equipped with small arms up to 7.62mm and each squad also carries an RPG-7 ATGL. The machine gun/anti-tank platoon is equipped with the AT-7 SAXHORN ATGM. The BTR series APC's have been widely exported and modified by other operators. It saw extensive combat in the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. In Soviet service, the BTR-70 saw several upgrades and modernization throughout its lifetime.

SOURCES: Weaponsystems.net. "BTR-70." Accessed November 27, 2013. http://www.weaponsystems.net/weapon.php?weapon=CC03%20-%20BTR-70 ; FM 100-2-3, "The Soviet Army: Troops, Organization, and Equipment." Washington D.C.: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 1991 