The OT-64 SKOT (which stands for Střední Kolový Obrněný Transportér / Średni Kołowy Opancerzony Transporter or 'medium wheeled armored transporter' in Czech and Polish respectively) was a joint Czechoslovakian/Polish 8x8 APC that was designed as an alternative to the Soviet BTR-60 for use by Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet client states. The OT-64 is of similar appearance to the BTR-60 and is constructed of welded steel, with the driver and commander seated in the front, the engine compartment behind them, and the troop compartment in the rear. The placement of the troop compartment in the rear allowed troops to enter and exit the vehicle more efficiently (and more safely) through two rear doors as opposed to the roof hatches and side doors in the BTR-60, although numerous roof hatches are also provided. The troop compartment features up to three firing ports on the sides and an additional firing port in each of the rear doors. The foldable seats also allow the OT-64 to be used as a cargo vehicle. The OT-64 is fully amphibious, with propulsion coming from two propellers under the rear hull. It also features NBC protection which was absent in early BTR-60 models. Armament consisted of either 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm machine guns with later versions incorporating the turret of the BRDM-2 with a 14.5-mm KPVT machine gun. The OT-64 was one of the most successful non-Soviet armored fighting vehicles of the Eastern bloc, which saw widespread use among Soviet client states, particularly in Africa and South Asia where major users included Algeria, Egypt, India, Morocco, Syria, and Uruguay, the latter being its only user in the Western Hemisphere.
The OT-64 SKOT began its joint Czechoslovakian/Polish development in 1959 and entered service in the early 1960s. The initial version was initially known in the West as the OT-64A which were initially unarmed in Czech service or featured a 7.62-mm machine gun for Polish service. The OT-64B SKOT-2 is a Polish-only version which has an open top and open rear, with a 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm gun on a pintle mount. The OT-64C(1) SKOT-2A and OT-64C(2) SKOT-2AP are upgraded versions (Czech and Polish respectively) which incorporated the turret of the BRDM-2 that was armed with a 14.5-mm KPVT machine gun. It was later revealed that the actual designation of these upraded vehicles was OT-64A in Czech service (the original -64A and -64B versions being designated simply OT-64). Some were also armed with twin AT-3 'Sagger' ATGMs. A myriad of additional variants were built as command vehicles, radio vehicles, and engineer vehicles, in addition to one variant used as a propaganda vehicle fitted with loudspeakers. A more recent export version is known as the OT-93 with the BRDM-2 turret replaced by a smaller turret with 7.62-mm machine gun.
Preceded by:
NoneSucceeded by:
NoneDesign | OT-64 | OT-64A |
Name | SKOT | SKOT-2A |
Type | APC | APC |
Year | 1964 | 1966 |
Crew | 2 | 2 |
Dimensions | ||
Length (w/Gun) | 7.44 m | 7.44 m |
Width | 2.500 m | 2.550 m |
Height | 0 m | 2.710 m |
Ground Clearance | 0.460 m | 0.460 m |
Track | 1.860 m | 1.860 m |
Track on Ground | 0 m | 0 m |
Weight | ||
Combat | 14,300 kg | 14,500 kg |
Empty | 12,800 kg | |
Ground Pressure | 0 kg/cm² | 0 kg/cm² |
Suspension | Telescopic springs | Telescopic springs |
Performance | ||
Speed (Off-Road) | 94 km/h | 94 km/h |
Range (Off-Road) | 710 km | 710 km |
Amphibious | Yes (9 km/h) | Yes (9 km/h) |
Vertical Obstacle | 0.50 m | 0.50 m |
Trench | 2 m | 2 m |
Gradient | n/a | 60% |
Side Slope | 23% | 30% |
Powerplant | ||
Engine | 1 x 180-hp Tatra T 928-14 | 1 x 180-hp Tatra T 928-18 |
Fuel | Diesel: 320 L | Diesel: 330 L |
Power/Weight | 12.59 hp/t | 12.41 hp/t |
Armament | ||
Main | None | 1 x 14.5-mmKPVTMachine Gun↑ 29° / ↓ -4° / ↔ 360° |
Secondary | Anti-Aircraft:1 x 7.62-mmÚV vz. 59 | Coaxial:1 x 7.62-mmPKT |
Ammo | 7.62-mm: 1,250 | 7.62-mm: 2,000 |
Armor | ||
Type | Steel | Steel |
Thickness | 10 - 10 mm | 10 - 14 mm |
Max Effective | 10 mm RHAe | 10 - 14 mm RHAe |
Hull Upper Front | 10 mm | 10 mm |
Hull Lower Front | 10 mm | 10 mm |
Turret Front | - | 14 mm |
Production | ||
Built | n/a | n/a |
Total | 4,500 |