The lack of amphibious capability for the BTR-40 resulted in the development of the BRDM-1 scout car. The BRDM-1 features an all-welded steel hull with a distinctive boat-like shape, configured with the engine compartment in the front and the crew compartment in the rear. Bulletproof windows with steel hatches are provided for the driver and commander, and there are two firing ports on each side as well. Amphibious capability is achieved through a single water jet at the rear and there is a trim vane at the front to aid buoyancy. One of the most innovative features of the BRMD-1 is its convertible 4x4/8x4 drive. Two pairs of belly wheels are mounted between the main wheels which are lowered when needed to improve cross-country or trench-crossing performance. Although the initial BRDM-1 design was unarmed, later versions typically carried defensive armament in the form of various 12.7-mm or 7.62-mm machine guns and some versions operated as tank destroyers armed with ATGMs. Aside from its widespread service with the Soviet army and naval infantry, the BRDM-1 was a massive export success serving with virtually every Warsaw Pact member and dozens of Soviet client states, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. They were eventually replaced in Soviet service by the BRDM-2 although many remain operational with African militaries.

The BRDM-1 was designed by V. K. Rubstov from the chassis of the BTR-40, and was also known as the BTR-40P during the development stage. The initial production model BRDM-1 M1957 was unarmored and had an open top. An armored roof was added in the subsequent M1958 while the M1959 and M1960 one or three mounting positions respectively for defensive armament. Other variants included the BRDM-RKh NBC reconnaissance vehicle and BRDM-1U command vehicle. Anti-tank versions included the 2P27 armed with three AT-1 (3M6) ATGMs, the 2P32 with four AT-2s (9M11), and the 9P110 with six AT-3s (9M14) which was the most common version.