Image source: topwar.ru
The BPzV Svatava combat reconnaissance vehicle, originally from Czechoslovakia, is in a long line of equipment from Eastern European countries that found themselves on the territory of Ukraine.
Svatava, apparently, was transferred from the Czech Republic or Slovakia, which constantly send Soviet military equipment to Ukraine, withdrawing it from their troops or releasing it at production facilities after restoration. Given the constant shortage of armored vehicles in the Ukrainian army, this vehicle is likely to serve as an IFV, rather than perform reconnaissance tasks.
BPzV Svatava is a Czechoslovak combat reconnaissance vehicle designed to occupy the niche of the BRM-1, which were not originally supplied to the Warsaw Pact countries. The main armament is identical to the BMP-1 and is represented by a 73 mm 2A28 "Thunder" cannon in combination with a 7.62mm machine gun. To combat armored targets, the vehicle uses ATGM 9M14 "Baby".
Image source: topwar.ru
It is distinguished from the BMP-1, in particular, by the installation of a mount on the tower to accommodate the OU-3GA2 "Luna" IR searchlight and the installation of a laser rangefinder. In addition, the equipment is equipped with a PSNR-5 radar, a TKN-3B day and night surveillance device, a 300 hp UTD-20 power unit that allows this 13.8-ton car to accelerate up to 65 km/h along the highway.
In total, more than 130 copies of Svatava were released. Currently, they are in service with Poland (under the designation BWR-1, undergoing modernization) and the Czech Republic.
