The BTR-3 (also known as the Guardian) is a family of Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicles that shares the general look and layout of the Soviet/Russian BTR-80 APC although it is an entirely new vehicle and fitted with mostly indigenous components and equipment and significantly upgunned. Like the BTR-80, the BTR-3 is constructed of all-welded steel but has a slightly higher roof which offers greater internal volume. Various powerplants have been installed including a Ukrainian multi-fuel engine although later versions have used German Deutz diesels. Armament of the BTR-3 is based around the one-person KBA-105 Shkval unified battlefield module. This includes a 30-mm ZTM-1 autocannon, a coaxial 7.62-mm PKT machine gun, a 30-mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher, as well as optional Barrier ATGMs. The Shkval module has also been retrofitted on other Ukrainian vehicles including BMP-1s and BRDM-2s. Other features include NBC protection as well as amphibious capability. The BTR-3 entered service in 2001 with the Ukrainian army and has obtained considerable export success being in service with nearly a dozen countries including large oders for Myanmar, Thailand, and the UAE the latter which contributed to its development. Ukrainian BTR-3s have been in action against the Russian invasion, with a small number believed to have been captured and operated by the latter. The earlier BTR-94 which was developed into the BTR-3 also saw service with Iraqi units in the post-invasion phase of its conflict.

Design of a new indigenous APC based on the BTR-80 began in the 1990s and resulted in the BTR-94 of which the entire production run was exported to Jordan (which later donated them all to Iraq). The BTR-94 could be fitted with numerous armament configurations including twin 23-mm and single 30-mm autocannon. Subsequent development of the BTR-94 led to the BTR-3U (initially known as the BTR-94K) which incorporated the Shkval turret. UAE export versions are known as the BTR-3U Guardian and feature a Buran-N1 weapons module. A later version is the BTR-3E1 which incorporates a BM-3 Shturm weapons module which carries simlar armament as the Shkval and a new UTD-20 engine. A further upgraded version is the BTR-3DA with a newer BM-3M Shturm-M weapons module. An armored recovery vehicle as well as a command vehicle (BTR-3KSH) have also been designed.