The BTR-80 is an amphibious, 8 wheel-drive APC produced since 1974. It entered service in the USSR in 1978. Two ZMZ-4905 (8 cylinders, gasoline) engines each yielding 120 hp enable the welded steel-sheets (11.5 tons) BTR-80 to reach a road top speed of 50 mph and 5.5 knots on water. 280 miles can be travelled with topped-off tanks i.e. 92 Imp. gals. Eight fully geared up men are accommodated amidst the hull of the vehicle. Both vehicle commander and driver have an infrared night vision devices. The armament is housed in the conical one-man turret: a powerful KPV 14.5 mm heavy machine-gun (500 rounds) and a PKT (Plulemyot-Kalashnikov Tank) cal. 30 machine-gun (2,000 cartridges).
Many variants of the BTR-80 have been designed to fulfil a wide array of roles. Many armies worldwide have purchased the BTR-80 that saw combat in Asia and Africa.