Difference between revisions of "BTR-80A (Italy)"

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m ({{PAGENAME}} gives [btr(italy)], so i have to replace that. Added some wording where it seemed not explaining enough.)
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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Hungarian light tank {{Battle-rating}} in the Italian research tree. It was introduced in [[Update "Sons of Attila"]] as part of the Hungarian branch of the Italian tech tree. It is a jack of all trades, master of none type of light tank. It can do a lot of support work, including damaging critical weakspots of tanks and being a makeshift SPAA, but it has way too many flaws to excel in any given role. Make no mistake though, BTR can be very persistent, and if it somehow manages to get behind your lines, anyone can fall victim to a sudden autocannon burst.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is the main Hungarian APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier). Hungary acquired the BTR-80 after buying more than 500 from Russia between 1996 and 1999 to modernise its fleet of old BTR-60s and 70s at a good price, since at the time Russia was struggling financially and had a lot of Soviet surplus military equipment lying around. A few dozen BTR-80As were sold to Serbia in 2024, while the rest remained in the Hungarian Army. As the years passed, most units were modified and modernised to the modern Russian BTR-80 standard, with stabilizers, improved optics, and modern communication systems. Others were repurposed as MED-EVAC vehicles or for NBC missions.
 +
 
 +
Introduced in [[Update "Sons of Attila"]] as part of the Hungarian branch of the Italian tech tree, the BTR-80 is a "jack of all trades, master of none" type of light tank. It can do a lot of support work, including damaging critical weakspots of tanks and being a makeshift SPAA, but it has too many flaws to excel in any given role. The BTR can be very persistent, and if it somehow manages to get behind your lines, anyone can fall victim to a sudden autocannon burst. The vehicle is excellent at incapacitating enemy units while also being able to engage light tanks, IFVs, ATGM carriers, or SPAAs. With its good mobility and amphibious capabilities, it can cause havoc amongst the enemy back rows, destroying its support units and making its frontline vulnerable to flanking manoeuvres or air attacks.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
−
The armour of BTR is unreliable and quite bad. While 12.7 mm HMG can't penetrate the turret, it can penetrate crew compartment hull at below 200 m range. The sandbags on the sides protect the gunner, but can't protect the driver or commander. Even so, area around wheels can be hit instead to hit the crew anyway.  
+
The armour of BTR is unreliable and quite bad. While 12.7 mm HMG can't penetrate the turret, it can penetrate crew compartment hull at below 200 m range. The sandbags on the sides protect the gunner, but can't protect the driver or commander. Even so, area around wheels can be hit instead to hit the crew anyway.
  
 
HESH will obliterate the BTR via overpressure, even if it hits sandbags, so relying on armour is not worth it. As a consequence of thin armour, APHE rarely detonates upon contact, but due to the compact crew placement, any direct frontal hit will destroy the entirety of the tank with kinetic damage alone.
 
HESH will obliterate the BTR via overpressure, even if it hits sandbags, so relying on armour is not worth it. As a consequence of thin armour, APHE rarely detonates upon contact, but due to the compact crew placement, any direct frontal hit will destroy the entirety of the tank with kinetic damage alone.
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
−
While quite large and somewhat heavier than most other light IFVs such as the Wiesel, the BTR-80A boasts a very high top speed of 87 km/h (97 in arcade) which can be reached quite quickly on roads and trails. The downside of the 8 wheel design is its poor off-road mobility, where it can barely keep up with the USSR medium tanks, first driving at 40 km/h, then begrudgingly accelerating to 60 km/h. It is still quite persistent and may reach these speeds even on rough ground if given time to accelerate.
+
 
 +
While quite large and somewhat heavier than most other light IFVs such as the Wiesel, the BTR-80A boasts a very high top speed of 87 km/h (97 km/h in arcade) which can be reached quite quickly on roads and trails. The downside of the 8 wheel design is its poor off-road mobility, where it can barely keep up with the USSR medium tanks, first driving at 40 km/h, then begrudgingly accelerating to 60 km/h. It is still quite persistent and may reach these speeds even on rough ground if given time to accelerate.
  
 
All in all, it is quite obvious that BTR-80A does not have the usual high speed typical of light tanks, being only somewhat better than comparable armoured bus [[Ratel 20]].
 
All in all, it is quite obvious that BTR-80A does not have the usual high speed typical of light tanks, being only somewhat better than comparable armoured bus [[Ratel 20]].
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{{Specs-Economy}}
 
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
−
About 80% of tank power is locked behind upgrades, arguably the most important ones are in the 4th rank. First priority should be improving turret handling by researching horizontal drives, then adjustment of fire to make it able to reliably damage enemy cannons. After this, getting a special AP ammo belt could be useful for destroying and/or annoying tanks and airstrike upgrade could be very beneficial in AB to research BTR through air superiority. At that point researching parts makes at least some sense, as tank will now be at least somewhat useful in real combat situations. Continue down the ranks by researching anything cannon and mobility related, as FPE and NVD are quite useless on this IFV. Optionally, take crew replenishment instead of movement upgrade in rank 3 if playing in AB, as it may allow to sustain more damage. Upon reaching rank 4, research APDS belt immediately, then go for mobility upgrades and pick any utility tools you feel necessary.  
+
About 80% of tank power is locked behind upgrades, arguably the most important ones are in the Tier IV modifications. First priority should be improving turret handling by researching horizontal drives, then adjustment of fire to make it able to reliably damage enemy cannons. After this, getting a special AP ammo belt could be useful for destroying and/or annoying tanks and airstrike upgrade could be very beneficial in AB to research BTR through air superiority. At that point researching parts makes at least some sense, as tank will now be at least somewhat useful in real combat situations. Continue down the ranks by researching anything cannon and mobility related, as FPE and NVD are quite useless on this IFV. Optionally, take crew replenishment instead of movement upgrade in Tier III if playing in AB, as it may allow to sustain more damage. Upon reaching Tier IV modifications, research APDS belt immediately, then go for mobility upgrades and pick any utility tools you feel necessary.
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
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{{main|2A72 (30 mm)}}
 
{{main|2A72 (30 mm)}}
  
−
The cannon is a rather slow firing 30 mm found on some Soviet tanks, such as BMP-3. The turret is rather sluggish too, being unable to keep up with the IFV when it is driving fast, even when fully upgraded, even in AB with good crew.  
+
The cannon is a rather slow firing 30 mm found on some Soviet tanks, such as BMP-3. The turret is rather sluggish too, being unable to keep up with the IFV when it is driving fast, even when fully upgraded, even in AB with good crew.
  
 
The elevation angles are absolutely atrocious and if the BTR is angled even a bit, it will not reach short tanks. Even when the chassis are not angled, it will be unable to aim at the bottom of Soviet tanks until about 100 m away. Even if, by some miracle, it can aim at their bottom weakspot, the gun recoil will make the gun aim higher anyway, so it is better to aim for crippling shots, rather than try to destroy enemies outright.
 
The elevation angles are absolutely atrocious and if the BTR is angled even a bit, it will not reach short tanks. Even when the chassis are not angled, it will be unable to aim at the bottom of Soviet tanks until about 100 m away. Even if, by some miracle, it can aim at their bottom weakspot, the gun recoil will make the gun aim higher anyway, so it is better to aim for crippling shots, rather than try to destroy enemies outright.
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
 
  
 
;Arcade mode
 
;Arcade mode
  
−
This vehicle is quite at a disadvantage in AB, as not only it takes a slot away from more capable vehicles such as C13 T90 or even ZSU 57-2 , but it is also shunned even further into mediocrity by practically everything else being faster than it. The stock grind is also a literal hell, being only tolerable due to airstrikes giving research points to a corresponding tank that called it in.
+
This vehicle is quite at a disadvantage in AB, as not only it takes a slot away from more capable vehicles such as C13 T90 or even ZSU 57-2 , but it is also shunned even further into mediocrity by practically everything else being faster than it. The stock grind is also a chore, being only tolerable due to airstrikes giving research points to a corresponding tank that called it in.
  
 
Stock BTR is only really useful for supporting someone else, as it is very slow and weak. Shoot cannon barrels (aim for the tip or fire directly from the side, as flat as possible) and tracks, try to blow up fuel tanks (tanks with fuel tanks on the front-right explode really easily when attacked from the side), bait shots for others with the back if you must, try to flank light tanks and SPAA and try to shoot them dead before they turned to destroy you. Never face enemy with the hull directly, try to angle as much as feasible to minimize crew damage.
 
Stock BTR is only really useful for supporting someone else, as it is very slow and weak. Shoot cannon barrels (aim for the tip or fire directly from the side, as flat as possible) and tracks, try to blow up fuel tanks (tanks with fuel tanks on the front-right explode really easily when attacked from the side), bait shots for others with the back if you must, try to flank light tanks and SPAA and try to shoot them dead before they turned to destroy you. Never face enemy with the hull directly, try to angle as much as feasible to minimize crew damage.
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If you get a chance to disable a heavy tank, drive up to it and try to find any openings in turret ring or even a ventilation hatch (generally, the part which is currently fuming with smoke as the tank tries to keep up with you) that allows to fire directly into the turret compartment. You will be very surprised to find out that even tanks that are considered borderline invincible like IS-4M have a lot of exposed vents, and even a few shots directly into the hatch will end them for good. Tanks that do not have an exposed vent may have a hole between engine and radiator, so it is possible to destroy them by squeezing a 30 mm through the hull back (pay attention to the "penetration camera").
 
If you get a chance to disable a heavy tank, drive up to it and try to find any openings in turret ring or even a ventilation hatch (generally, the part which is currently fuming with smoke as the tank tries to keep up with you) that allows to fire directly into the turret compartment. You will be very surprised to find out that even tanks that are considered borderline invincible like IS-4M have a lot of exposed vents, and even a few shots directly into the hatch will end them for good. Tanks that do not have an exposed vent may have a hole between engine and radiator, so it is possible to destroy them by squeezing a 30 mm through the hull back (pay attention to the "penetration camera").
  
−
As per usual in italy tree at the rank, be extra careful to avoid USA tanks, as those can machine gun BTR within 200 m range. In general, avoid direct fights with SPAA, as they have overwhelming fire rate. Avoid pissing off other italian hulldown tanks and do not attack artillery vehicles that are staring at you, as armour will not sustain overpressure damage at all. Tanks that have ATGM as a backup weapon are also dangerous, but most early ATGM tanks have to deal with the fact that their missiles are fired up and then come back down at about 150 m range, so attacking them in melee range sometimes might just work.
+
As per usual in Italy tree at the rank, be extra careful to avoid USA tanks, as those can machine gun BTR within 200 m range. In general, avoid direct fights with SPAA, as they have overwhelming fire rate. Avoid pissing off other italian hulldown tanks and do not attack artillery vehicles that are staring at you, as armour will not sustain overpressure damage at all. Tanks that have ATGM as a backup weapon are also dangerous, but most early ATGM tanks have to deal with the fact that their missiles are fired up and then come back down at about 150 m range, so attacking them in melee range sometimes might just work.
  
−
After getting tier 4 modifications you will finally have some mobility and enough penetration to bully medium tanks and SPG, so you can start actually playing agressively. It is now possible to destroy most medium tanks by firing at their sides (aiming for fuel tanks or the very back is still the best, as penetration and ammo ignition is often not guaranteed) and the light tanks will no longer randomly survive your shots. Sneak using super low ground and hills, scout enemy and then "disappear" and circle around enemies. The dynamics won't change too drastically, but you will definitely feel like you aren't a burden to your team anymore and are able to at least neutralize snipers. Try to conserve the APDS belt by firing default or AP belt at random aircraft and when not firing to kill, as 150 shells isn't very much and the resupply on a capture point takes a long time.
+
After getting tier IV modifications, you will finally have some mobility and enough penetration to bully medium tanks and SPG, so you can start actually playing aggressively. It is now possible to destroy most medium tanks by firing at their sides (aiming for fuel tanks or the very back is still the best, as penetration and ammo ignition is often not guaranteed) and the light tanks will no longer randomly survive your shots. Sneak using super low ground and hills, scout enemy and then "disappear" and circle around enemies. The dynamics won't change too drastically, but you will definitely feel like you aren't a burden to your team anymore and are able to at least neutralize snipers. Try to conserve the APDS belt by firing default or AP belt at random aircraft and when not firing to destroy, as 150 shells isn't very much and the resupply on a capture point takes a long time.
  
 
If you are very good at sneaking, you want to get behind enemy lines and get exactly behind enemy MBTs to line them up and then fire at their engines or turret backs, then laugh at the explosions. This is easier said than done, as majority of players at natural BR prefer spawning heavy tanks, and those that do not are generally faster than you and will be already entrenched and on overwatch, but it is still worth attempting. Here are some examples of successful flank:
 
If you are very good at sneaking, you want to get behind enemy lines and get exactly behind enemy MBTs to line them up and then fire at their engines or turret backs, then laugh at the explosions. This is easier said than done, as majority of players at natural BR prefer spawning heavy tanks, and those that do not are generally faster than you and will be already entrenched and on overwatch, but it is still worth attempting. Here are some examples of successful flank:
  
 
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150px">
 
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150px">
−
BTR side ambush.jpg|By staying out of sight you can sneak around and catch complacent players off guard. Sometimes works multiple times.  
+
BTR side ambush.jpg|By staying out of sight you can sneak around and catch complacent players off guard. Sometimes works multiple times.
 
BTR back flank.jpg|Ideal scenario - you managed to drive around enemy arriving on a cap without being seen. Prioritize paranoid enemies.
 
BTR back flank.jpg|Ideal scenario - you managed to drive around enemy arriving on a cap without being seen. Prioritize paranoid enemies.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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;Skins
 
;Skins
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=it_btr_80a_hungary Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=it_btr_80a_hungary Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
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;Related development
 
;Related development
 +
 
* [[BTR-80A]]
 
* [[BTR-80A]]
  

Latest revision as of 09:41, 30 September 2024

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the light tank BTR-80A (Italy). For the other version, see BTR-80A.
◔BTR-80A
it_btr_80a_hungary.png
GarageImage BTR-80A (Italy).jpg
◔BTR-80A
Italy flag.png Italy
V Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
7.3 7.3 7.3
Class:
Research:95 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:270 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The ◔BTR-80A is the main Hungarian APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier). Hungary acquired the BTR-80 after buying more than 500 from Russia between 1996 and 1999 to modernise its fleet of old BTR-60s and 70s at a good price, since at the time Russia was struggling financially and had a lot of Soviet surplus military equipment lying around. A few dozen BTR-80As were sold to Serbia in 2024, while the rest remained in the Hungarian Army. As the years passed, most units were modified and modernised to the modern Russian BTR-80 standard, with stabilizers, improved optics, and modern communication systems. Others were repurposed as MED-EVAC vehicles or for NBC missions.

Introduced in Update "Sons of Attila" as part of the Hungarian branch of the Italian tech tree, the BTR-80 is a "jack of all trades, master of none" type of light tank. It can do a lot of support work, including damaging critical weakspots of tanks and being a makeshift SPAA, but it has too many flaws to excel in any given role. The BTR can be very persistent, and if it somehow manages to get behind your lines, anyone can fall victim to a sudden autocannon burst. The vehicle is excellent at incapacitating enemy units while also being able to engage light tanks, IFVs, ATGM carriers, or SPAAs. With its good mobility and amphibious capabilities, it can cause havoc amongst the enemy back rows, destroying its support units and making its frontline vulnerable to flanking manoeuvres or air attacks.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull12 / 8 / 6
Turret23 / 23 / 13
Crew3 people
Visibility136 %

The armour of BTR is unreliable and quite bad. While 12.7 mm HMG can't penetrate the turret, it can penetrate crew compartment hull at below 200 m range. The sandbags on the sides protect the gunner, but can't protect the driver or commander. Even so, area around wheels can be hit instead to hit the crew anyway.

HESH will obliterate the BTR via overpressure, even if it hits sandbags, so relying on armour is not worth it. As a consequence of thin armour, APHE rarely detonates upon contact, but due to the compact crew placement, any direct frontal hit will destroy the entirety of the tank with kinetic damage alone.

Back compartment is somewhat empty, but any hit coming there will damage or destroy transmission, so while abusing it may net several seconds of survival, it will also paralyze the tank. This is extremely difficult to pull off in a frontal engagement as well due to the mediocre tank speed, as shells often clip the gunner or the ammo rack anyway.

For worst case scenarios there are 3 smoke groups mounted on the turret. These smoke grenades are aerosol type, so they will blow up midair and screen the tank away within 2 seconds. They can be used for both defence and offence, to cause as much chaos as possible.

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull ___ mm ___ mm Top
___ mm Bottom 		___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Turret ___ - ___ mm Turret front
___ mm Gun mantlet 		___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Cupola ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm

Notes:

Mobility

Amphibious
The design allows you to swim and control movement in the water
Speedforward / back
AB97 / 14 km/h
RB and SB87 / 12 km/h
Number of gears10 forward
2 back
Weight14.6 t
Engine power
AB496 hp
RB and SB260 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB34.0 hp/t
RB and SB17.8 hp/t

While quite large and somewhat heavier than most other light IFVs such as the Wiesel, the BTR-80A boasts a very high top speed of 87 km/h (97 km/h in arcade) which can be reached quite quickly on roads and trails. The downside of the 8 wheel design is its poor off-road mobility, where it can barely keep up with the USSR medium tanks, first driving at 40 km/h, then begrudgingly accelerating to 60 km/h. It is still quite persistent and may reach these speeds even on rough ground if given time to accelerate.

All in all, it is quite obvious that BTR-80A does not have the usual high speed typical of light tanks, being only somewhat better than comparable armoured bus Ratel 20.

It is very common to see BTR-80s rushing caps due to their high maximum speed; they can capture points quite safely and then reposition to either scout or ambush enemy light/medium armour. Alternatively, they can use the road to ambush enemy tanks early to cause more damage, but their reliance on a road reduces the amount of opportunities they have.

The chassis can swim, if necessary.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 031 → 4 401 Sl icon.png
RB3 620 → 5 256 Sl icon.png
SB4 930 → 7 158 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications77 500 Rp icon.png
129 400 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 000 Ge icon.png
Crew training78 000 Sl icon.png
Experts270 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces670 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
110 / 160 / 200 % Sl icon.png
190 / 190 / 190 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new wheels.png
Tires
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods new car suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 800 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 800 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
6 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
350 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 800 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement it.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
6 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
350 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
30mm_2a72_BTR_HE_ammo_pack
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
30mm_2a72_BTR_AP_ammo_pack
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 800 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods airstrike.png
Airstrike
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 800 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
6 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
350 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods scouting.png
Improved optics
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
30mm_2a42_APDS_ammo_pack
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png

About 80% of tank power is locked behind upgrades, arguably the most important ones are in the Tier IV modifications. First priority should be improving turret handling by researching horizontal drives, then adjustment of fire to make it able to reliably damage enemy cannons. After this, getting a special AP ammo belt could be useful for destroying and/or annoying tanks and airstrike upgrade could be very beneficial in AB to research BTR through air superiority. At that point researching parts makes at least some sense, as tank will now be at least somewhat useful in real combat situations. Continue down the ranks by researching anything cannon and mobility related, as FPE and NVD are quite useless on this IFV. Optionally, take crew replenishment instead of movement upgrade in Tier III if playing in AB, as it may allow to sustain more damage. Upon reaching Tier IV modifications, research APDS belt immediately, then go for mobility upgrades and pick any utility tools you feel necessary.

Armaments

Main armament

30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon
Ammunition300 rounds
Belt capacity150 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
1.3 → 1.0 s
Fire rate330 shots/min
Vertical guidance-5° / 70°
Main article: 2A72 (30 mm)

The cannon is a rather slow firing 30 mm found on some Soviet tanks, such as BMP-3. The turret is rather sluggish too, being unable to keep up with the IFV when it is driving fast, even when fully upgraded, even in AB with good crew.

The elevation angles are absolutely atrocious and if the BTR is angled even a bit, it will not reach short tanks. Even when the chassis are not angled, it will be unable to aim at the bottom of Soviet tanks until about 100 m away. Even if, by some miracle, it can aim at their bottom weakspot, the gun recoil will make the gun aim higher anyway, so it is better to aim for crippling shots, rather than try to destroy enemies outright.

NATO tanks should be easier to deal with, as they are much flatter and taller, but driving over a random rock may still screw the IFV over as it has no stabiliser. There also isn't any special cruise control setting for driving at "just the right speed", with CC1 being only somewhat tolerable and allowing to keep firing at the same spot on the tank that you already aimed at, but it is still too much to aim at gun barrels (basically requires BTR to stop infront or directly on the side of it) or to properly side-strafe anything in RB (as the turret will fail to turn fast enough to adjust). Since driving at 35 km/h in already poorly armoured vehicle is quite a terrible idea, most of the times it is better to just stop and disable the adversary, then finish them off.

30 mm 2A72 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 300 (150) 330 -5°/+70° ±180° - 28.6 39.5 48.0 53.1 56.5 1.30 1.15 1.06 1.00
Realistic 17.9 21.0 25.5 28.2 30.0

Ammunition

  • Default: AP-T · HEF-I* · AP-T · HEF-I*
  • 30 mm HEI: HEF-I* · HEF-I* · HEF-I* · AP-T
  • 30 mm APT: AP-T · AP-T · AP-T · HEF-T*
  • 30 mm APDS: APDS · APDS · APDS · APDS · HEF-T*

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
HEF-I* 8 7 6 5 4 3
AP-T 65 63 53 44 36 29
HEF-T* 9 8 7 5 4 3
APDS 82 81 79 75 72 69
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
HEF-I* 960 0.39 0.1 0.1 75.46 79° 80° 81°
AP-T 970 0.4 - - - 47° 60° 65°
HEF-T* 960 0.39 0.1 0.1 17.86 79° 80° 81°
APDS 1,120 0.3 - - - 75° 78° 80°

Ammo racks

Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
2 __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __
BTR will test your knowledge of enemy tank weakspots unlike any other vehicle.

The belts may consist of AP (pure AP, not API) or HE. A special belt consisting of APDS can be researched, but only one can be carried at any time.

AP shells deal quite low damage and they only damage what they hit directly, so aiming for fuel tanks and crew specifically is required. In terms of penetration, side armour is only "maybe penetrable" on NATO medium tanks. The very back of medium tank turret, turret neck of heavy tanks or the engine deck and exhaust vents are generally a better target.

APDS elevates "maybe will penetrate" into a "very likely to penetrate", but only on direct flat angle hits. APDS also can overpenetrate enemy tank engines to hit crew and ammo racks, generally resulting in explosions in 2 to 5 shots, giving BTR a reliable way to destroy enemies.

HE shells can deal fatal damage to planes, but due to the poor tracking of the turret it is difficult to land even a single hit. They do nothing to actual tanks.

Machine guns

7.62 mm PKT machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition2 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate700 shots/min
Main article: PKT (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm PKT
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 2,000 (250) 700 - -

Usage in battles

Arcade mode

This vehicle is quite at a disadvantage in AB, as not only it takes a slot away from more capable vehicles such as C13 T90 or even ZSU 57-2 , but it is also shunned even further into mediocrity by practically everything else being faster than it. The stock grind is also a chore, being only tolerable due to airstrikes giving research points to a corresponding tank that called it in.

Stock BTR is only really useful for supporting someone else, as it is very slow and weak. Shoot cannon barrels (aim for the tip or fire directly from the side, as flat as possible) and tracks, try to blow up fuel tanks (tanks with fuel tanks on the front-right explode really easily when attacked from the side), bait shots for others with the back if you must, try to flank light tanks and SPAA and try to shoot them dead before they turned to destroy you. Never face enemy with the hull directly, try to angle as much as feasible to minimize crew damage.

If you get a chance to disable a heavy tank, drive up to it and try to find any openings in turret ring or even a ventilation hatch (generally, the part which is currently fuming with smoke as the tank tries to keep up with you) that allows to fire directly into the turret compartment. You will be very surprised to find out that even tanks that are considered borderline invincible like IS-4M have a lot of exposed vents, and even a few shots directly into the hatch will end them for good. Tanks that do not have an exposed vent may have a hole between engine and radiator, so it is possible to destroy them by squeezing a 30 mm through the hull back (pay attention to the "penetration camera").

As per usual in Italy tree at the rank, be extra careful to avoid USA tanks, as those can machine gun BTR within 200 m range. In general, avoid direct fights with SPAA, as they have overwhelming fire rate. Avoid pissing off other italian hulldown tanks and do not attack artillery vehicles that are staring at you, as armour will not sustain overpressure damage at all. Tanks that have ATGM as a backup weapon are also dangerous, but most early ATGM tanks have to deal with the fact that their missiles are fired up and then come back down at about 150 m range, so attacking them in melee range sometimes might just work.

After getting tier IV modifications, you will finally have some mobility and enough penetration to bully medium tanks and SPG, so you can start actually playing aggressively. It is now possible to destroy most medium tanks by firing at their sides (aiming for fuel tanks or the very back is still the best, as penetration and ammo ignition is often not guaranteed) and the light tanks will no longer randomly survive your shots. Sneak using super low ground and hills, scout enemy and then "disappear" and circle around enemies. The dynamics won't change too drastically, but you will definitely feel like you aren't a burden to your team anymore and are able to at least neutralize snipers. Try to conserve the APDS belt by firing default or AP belt at random aircraft and when not firing to destroy, as 150 shells isn't very much and the resupply on a capture point takes a long time.

If you are very good at sneaking, you want to get behind enemy lines and get exactly behind enemy MBTs to line them up and then fire at their engines or turret backs, then laugh at the explosions. This is easier said than done, as majority of players at natural BR prefer spawning heavy tanks, and those that do not are generally faster than you and will be already entrenched and on overwatch, but it is still worth attempting. Here are some examples of successful flank:

  • By staying out of sight you can sneak around and catch complacent players off guard. Sometimes works multiple times.

  • Ideal scenario - you managed to drive around enemy arriving on a cap without being seen. Prioritize paranoid enemies.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Reasonably good 2A72 30 mm autocannon, actually able to destroy armoured tanks unlike 20 mm alternatives of other nations
    • APDS is great for fighting against light vehicles and can overpenetrate MBT engines
  • Fairly mobile on road, so it is decent for playing around capture points
  • Amphibious

Cons:

  • Poor survivability due to thin armour, minimal crew number and poor average speed
  • -5° gun depression and slow gun handling make it awkward to use against tanks and quite bad as a makeshift SPAA
  • Has no stabiliser and the gun is too weak to ignore the wobble
  • Low power-to-weight ratio, rather slow when not on a road
  • Majority of similar tanks have ATGM or simply better fire rate, difficult to fight against them
  • In AB, often not worth picking over other italian tanks unless circumstances demand it (has enough alternatives unlike Soviet counterpart)

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Italy light tanks
  Italy
L6/40  L6/40 · L6/40 (31 Rgt.)
M11/39  M11/39
Autoblindo  AB 41 · AB 43
Fiat 6614/6616  FIAT 6614 · AUBL/74 · AUBL/74 HVG
R3 Capraia  R3 T106 FA
Centauro  Centauro I 105 · Centauro I 105 R · Centauro I 120 · Centauro RGO · VRCC
Freccia  VBC (PT2) · Freccia
Dardo  Dardo · VCC-80/60 · VCC-80/30
Other  C13 T90
USA  ▄M3A3 · ▄M24 · ▄M18
  Hungary
WWII  Csaba · Toldi IIA
Post  ◔BTR-80A · KF41

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