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BTR-70 vs BTR-80: how to tell them apart

Two armoured personnel carriers that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

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BTR-70

Armoured personnel carrier, Soviet Union. In service since 1972

What gives it away

Eight-wheeled boat-shaped APC with a small conical turret; a big gap between the second and third axles with a small low exit hatch in it instead of a full side door.

Used by

Ukraine, Russia and others

BTR-80, armoured personnel carrier from Soviet Union

BTR-80

Armoured personnel carrier, Soviet Union. In service since 1986

What gives it away

Eight wheels, boat-shaped hull, small conical machine-gun turret, side doors between the second and third axles.

Used by

Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and others

Photo: U.S. Army photo by Capt. Anthony Kapelka, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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