Image source: topwar.ru
In early February, Saudi Arabia will host the international exhibition World Defense Show, which will be attended by the world's leading defense companies. Rostec also decided not to stand aside. He intends to demonstrate the nine Premiers to potential buyers, in particular, the new BTR-22 8x8, the arrival of which was captured in Riyadh.
The BTR-22 is positioned as a replacement for the current BTR-80/82 family of wheeled armored vehicles. In this regard, the Zona Militar publication notes:
The publication expresses the opinion that the BTR-22, like the Boomerang, has "a Western design and similarities with vehicles such as the LAV-25 8x8, which are in service with the US Marine Corps."
It is indicated that the new platform is more economical than the Boomerang, has greater simplicity in mass production, which makes it possible to quickly replace Soviet-made armored vehicles still in service with the Russian Armed Forces.
Image source: topwar.ru
It is expected that the BTR-22 will weigh about 20 tons, have a length of 7.6 m, a width of less than 3 m and a height of 3 m (the Boomerang has 8.8 x 3.1 x 3.1 and a weight of 34 tons).
The vehicle is equipped with a remote-controlled combat station with a 30 mm 2A72 cannon. This module is a further development of the BPPU, which is installed on the BTR-82. At the same time, the station has full remote control: in the BTR-82, the gunner sat "in a basket" under the tower and spun with it, now all control is displayed on monitors. Another more advanced TKN-4GA-03 sighting system (or a similar export version) is installed on the module.
DUBM "Ballista":
Image source: topwar.ru
At the same time, one of the photos next to the BTR-22 shows the Ballista tower, which is an alternative weapon. The Ballista is equipped with a 2A42 cannon with a higher rate of fire (up to 800 rounds per minute) than the 2A72 (300-330), a twin 7.62mm machine gun, a Konkurs-M ATGM on the sides and a much more advanced sighting system with a panoramic view.
