The OT-62 TOPAS (which stands for Transportér Obrněný Pásový or 'tracked armored personnel carrier') was originally a Czechoslovakian/Polish license-produced version of the Soviet BTR-50 but ended up becoming a considerably modified and improved vehicle. The OT-62 borrows the same boat-like hull, made of all-welded steel, of the BTR-50. The front of the vehicle features two rounded bays which house the driver and commander, each with three vision blocks and with a hatch cover for the driver's bay (some models with one for the driver as well). The engine compartment is the rear, which leaves the troop compartment in the middle; this is provided with both roof hatches as well as side hatches which the BTR-50 lacks and thus provides an alternative means to enter or exit the vehicle. The troop compartment also features NBC protection. Amphibious capability is provided thanks to a trim vane that is erected before entering the water as well as a bilge pump that is switched on, after which the vehicle is propelled thanks to two water jets. Armament varies depending on variant, and usually consisted of a small turret equipped with a 7.62-mm machine gun or a larger turret with a 14.5-mm KPVT machine gun. A 82-mm recoilless rifle could also be carried although it could only be reloaded from outside the vehicle. Others feature a Although Czechoslovakia and Poland were the only Warsaw Pact countries to adopt the OT-62, it was an export success with Soviet clients states particularly the Middle East where major users included Egypt, Libya, and Syria. Captured vehicles were also employed by Israel.

The OT-62 TOPAS was developed in the late 1950s and is based on the BTR-50PU command vehicle variant of the BTR-50. Czechoslovakian versions are typically known by their OF-64 designation while Polish versions are known by the TOPAS designation. The OT-62A is the standard, unarmed, APC variant while those fitted with a small machine gun turret is known as the OT-62B. The OT-62D adds an 82-mm recoilless rifle in the rear deck. The TOPAS-2AP (also known as the OT-62C) is a Polish-only variant with a larger turret with a 14.5-mm KPVT machine gun. Numerous other versions were built including signals and communications vehicles as well as a technical support vehicle, designated DTP-62 (Czech) or WPT-TOPAS (Polish).