Syrian BTR-152 armed with powerful machine guns

In Syria, the firepower of the old BTR-152 was significantly increased. If earlier these wheeled armored personnel carriers were armed with 7.62-mm SGBB, now they can see 14.5-mm CPV.

The Vladimirov heavy machine gun, despite the fact that it was created in the second half of the 40s, is still considered one of the most powerful in the world.

At a range of 2000 meters, it is capable of hitting various ground targets, including lightly armored targets, and at altitudes up to 1500 meters - planes and helicopters.

Previously, only a small number of anti-aircraft versions of the 152-x were paired with ZTPU-2 installations, used during the Vietnam War and during the events in the Middle East.

In the 60s, the "tank" modification of the CPV was used in combat reconnaissance and patrol vehicles BRDM-2, BTR-60PB, and later on the BTR-70 and BTR-80.

According to various sources, about five hundred BTR-152 were delivered to Syria. They were involved in all the conflicts in which the army of this state participated. In the 70s, the replacement with more modern Soviet and Czechoslovak cars began.

They were returned from storage bases to their units in the course of recent events, when after fierce battles with illegal armed groups, the problem of a shortage of light armored vehicles appeared.

Despite their advanced age, the 152s are still doing quite well with the tasks assigned to them.

Alexey Brusilov