OT-64 SKOT

OT-64 SKOT
OT-64A SKOT-2A
Type	Wheeled Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier
Place of origin	Czechoslovakia, Poland
Service history
In service	1963 - present^[1]
Used by	See Operators
Wars	See Service History
Production history
Designed	1959
Manufacturer	Fabryka Samochodów Ciężarowych (FSC) (Poland)^[1]
Produced	1963 - early 1970s^[1]
Number built	4500^[1]
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	14.5 t
Length	7.44 m
Width	2.55 m
Height	2.71 m
Crew	2 + 18 passengers^[1] 2 + 10 passengers (OT-64A and SKOT-2A)^[1]

Armor	6-13 mm
Main armament	7.62 mm PKT machine gun and 14.5 mm KPV machine gun.
Engine	air-cooled Tatra T-928-14 V-8 diesel 180 hp
Power/weight	12.4 hp/tonne
Suspension	8x8
Operational range	710 km
Speed	94 km/h

The OT-64 SKOT (Czech acronym for: Střední Kolový Obrněný Transportér, and/or Polish Średni Kołowy Opancerzony Transporter) is an amphibious armored personnel carrier (8x8), developed jointly by Poland and Czechoslovakia (ČSSR) well into the 1960s.

1 History
2 Technology
3 Service history
4 Variants
5 Operators
- 5.1 Military operators
  - 5.1.1 Former Military Operators
- 5.2 Civilian Operators
6 References
7 Literature
8 External links

History

OT-64 was intended to replace the halftrack OT-810, which was nearly identical to the German SdKfz 251 from World War II. The first prototype was built in 1959. In 1961 the first sample series were built and starting from October 1963 the vehicles were produced in Lublin, Poland by Fabryka Samochodów Ciężarowych. Czechoslovakia supplied the driveline components, i.e. the engine, transmission and axles.

The first production vehicles were delivered in 1964 to both the Polish Army and Czechoslovak Army and many are still in use today. Both Polish and Czech units are gradually replaced by newer vehicles. Czech units are scheduled to be replaced between 2007 and 2012.

Technology

The OT-64's engine, transmission, suspension and axles were produced in Czechoslovakia. The engine was produced by Tatra and the semiautomatic transmission(shift now,transfer gear by pushing clutch later) by Praga. The armored hull and weapons were produced in Poland.

The OT-64 was the answer to the Soviet BTR-60. Contrary to this the OT-64 used a diesel set in place of a petrol engine. That diminished the danger of fire and at the same time increased the range. The main advantage in relation to the Russian counterpart was the full-armored interior. The entrance is at the rear of the vehicle via twin doors. The OT-64 was air-transportable and amphibious. For the amphibious drive the vehicle used two propellers installed at the back. The OT-64 had an NBC protection facility and night-vision equipment. It also has central inflation for all wheels which can be controlled by driver during a drive.

Several variants were built. Some OT-64 were re-equipped for air defense or built as tank hunters. The latter used the AT-3 Sagger missile as a weapon.

Service history

OT-64 SKOT entered service with Polish and Czechoslovak armies in 1963.It was produced until early 1970s. It still is in service with Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. OT-64 SKOT was also exported to eleven different countries (Algeria, Cambodia, India, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, Uganda and Uruguay). A total number of vehicles produced for the Polish Army, the Czechoslovak Army and for export is 4,500.^[1]

Variants

Czechoslovakia

OT-64 - Original version, used in the APC role. Early models were unarmed but later the vehicle was fitted with a pintle-mounted 7.62 mm light machine gun or 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun. They used to be known in the West as respectively OT-64A and OT-64B. Some 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun armed OT-64 APCs had shields around the heavy machine gun mount.^[1]^[2]
- OT-64 fitted with a small turret from OT-65A. However this one is armed with twin machine guns and doesn't have the 82mm T-21 "Tarasnice" recoilless gun.^[2]
- DTP-64 (dilna technicke pomoci) - Czech repair version with tow bars, welding equipment and a hand operated crane with a capacity of 1 tonne. There were two sub-versions, namely the DTP-64/M for mechanized infantry units and the DTP-64/T for tank units. Photos
- OT-64 ZDRAV or ZDR-64 (zdravotni): ambulance.Photos
- OT-64A - Improved version fitted with BPU-1 turret from Soviet BRDM-2 armoured scout car which is armed with a 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun and 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun. In Western sources, this version is often called OT-64C. In the late 1990s, some vehicles had the turret replaced by a pintle-mounted machine gun for peace keeping operations.Photos The OT-64A is used as the basis for several command vehicles (velitelsko štábní obrněný transportér) fitted with multiple radio sets, a 1 kW generator and an antenna mast:
  - VSOT-64/R2 R102 - Unarmed signals and command variant.
  - VSOT-64/R2 R105 - Unarmed signals and command variant.
  - VSOT-64/R2 R108 - Unarmed signals and command variant.
  - VSOT-64/R2M - Signals and command variant with OT-64A's turret.Photos
  - VSOT-64/R3 - Unarmed signals and command variant.
  - VSOT-64/R3MT - Unarmed signals and command variant.Photos
  - VSOT-64/R4MT - Unarmed signals and command variant.
  - VSOT-64/R4RT - Unarmed signals and command variant.
  - OT-64A fitted with the ATGM mounts on the turret sides.^[2]
  - OT-64A fitted with the new turret with higher elevation for armament. Similar to Polish SKOT-2AP.^[2]
  - OT-93 - Export version of the OT-64A with the original turret replaced by the one from the OT-65M or OT-62B. The armament consists of a single 7.62mm machine-gun.Photos
- Cobra - Infantry combat vehicle version with a new turret with 30mm gun 2A42. Did not enter production

Poland

SKOT-1 - Early, unarmed model, similar to the OT-64.^[1]
- SKOT-1A - SKOT-1 fitted with a superstructure in the front of the troop compartment. The superstructure a large, two piece hatch.^[1]
  - SKOT R-3 - Unarmed command vehicle used by regiment and higher command. It is equipped with 4 radios, 1 radio receiver, 1 microwave radio relay and 1 radiotelephone. The vehicle is operated by seven man crew.^[1]
    - SKOT R-3M - Unarmed signals and command variant for combat engineer units.
    - SKOT R-3Z - SKOT R-3 with modernized radio equipment which it includes the second microwave radio relay.^[1]
  - SKOT R-4 - Unarmed command vehicle used by division and army command. It is equipped with 4 radios, 3 radio receivers and 3 radiotelephones.^[1]
  - SKOT-WPT (wóz pogotowia technicznego) - Technical support vehicle with a light crane.
  - SKOT S-260 Art (artyleryjski) - Artillery tractor and transport vehicle for ammunition and mortar or anti-tank squads.
  - SKOT S-260 Inż (inżynieryjny) - Fitted with racks for anti-tank mines and used to tow mechanical mine layers or mine-clearing systems.
  - SKOT-2 - SKOT-1A with pintle MG mount around the hatch of the superstructure. Two types of machine guns were fitted there, 7.62 mm light machine gun (first SGMT and later PKT) or 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun. Sides of the machine gun mount are protected with armour plates.^[1]
    - SKOT-2A - Polish designator for the version with the BRDM-2 turret which was designed in late 1960s. The vehicle is fitted with conical turret armed with 14.5 mm KPV heavy machine gun and 7.62 mm PKT coaxial light machine gun on the top of the vehicle. Number of soldiers transported in the troop compartment went down from 18 to 10. In Western sources, this version is often called OT-64C.^[1]
      - SKOT 2AM - A small number of Polish SKOT-2A APCs was fitted with 9M14 Malyutka (AT-3 Sagger) ATGM launchers on the turret sides. The launchers were protected with armour plate or wire mesh. In the West, they were known as OT-64C(1A).^[1]
      - SKOT R-2 - Command vehicle used by battalion and regiment command. It is equipped with 4 radios: R-112, R-113 and 2 R-105. The vehicle is operated by seven man crew.^[1]
        
        SKOT R-2AM - Unarmed command and fire control variant for artillery units.
        
        SKOT R-2M - Signals and command variant with SKOT-2A's turret.
      - SKOT R-6 - Unarmed signals and command variant.
      - SKOT-2AP - Polish modification with a new anti-aircraft WAT turret armed with 14.5 mm heavy machine gun. The turret had higher elevation for its armament and therefore could be used to fire at air targets. The turret has the new CGS-90 sight. This vehicle was known in the West as OT-64C(2).^[1]
- KTO WR-02 "Ryś" (KTO stands for Kołowy Transporter Opancerzony - Wheeled Armoured personnel Carrier) (Ryś - Lynx) - Heavily upgraded version with IVECO Cursor 8 engine. Work is performed by the 5th Military Mechanical Institute in Poznań.
  - KTO WR-02 "Ryś-2" (KTO stands for Kołowy Transporter Opancerzony - Wheeled Armoured personnel Carrier) (Ryś-2 - Lynx-2) - The export version of KTO WR-02 "Ryś".

Uruguay

Vehículos acorazados de ruedas M64 - Uruguayan designation for OT-64 armed with a pintle-mounted machine gun.^[2]
Vehículos acorazados de ruedas M93 - Uruguayan designation for OT-93.^[2]

Operators

Military operators

Algeria - 151 OT-64 APCs armed with a pintle-mounted machine gun and 75 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from the Czech Republic in 1993 and delivered between 1994 and 1995, they were initially unarmed however they were sold through Slovakia where they were rearmed.^[3] Currently 150 are in service.^[4]
Angola - 9 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from Slovakia in 1993 and delivered in 1994, the vehicles were previously in Slovak service.^[3]
Cambodia - 26 OT-64 APCs armed with a pintle-mounted machine gun ordered from the Czech Republic in 1994 and delivered in 1994, the vehicles were previously in Czech service.^[3] Currently there are 40, however probably less are fully operational as only 140 of Cambodia's 266 APCs are fully operational. All the OT-64 APCs have apparently gone to the Phnom Penh reserve force and some are used by military police.
Czech Republic - 28 OT-64 APCs in service as of 1 January 2008. They are scheduled to be replaced by new vehicles between 2007 and 2012.^[5]
Hungary -
Egypt - 200 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from Czechoslovakia in 1968 and delivered between 1969 and 1970.^[3] Currently 300 are in service.^[6]
India - 300 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from Czechoslovakia in 1969 and delivered between 1971 and 1974.^[3]
Libya - 50 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from Czechoslovakia in 1973 and delivered in 1974.^[3]
Morocco - 95 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from Czechoslovakia in 1968 and delivered between 1968 and 1970.^[3]
Nepal - 8 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from the Czech Republic in 2007 and delivered in 2008, the vehicles were previously in Czech service, they were ordered for use by the Nepali UN forces in Sudan.^[3]
Pakistan - 6 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from Slovakia in 1993 and delivered in 1993, the vehicles were previously in Slovak service.^[3]
Poland - In beginning of the 1990s, SKOT APCs were gradually withdrawn from the Polish Army. Currently around 300-400 remain in service, in particular the command variants (R-2AM/AMT (for artillery units) and R-3M) as well as engineering variants and training variants. SKOT APCs are being replaced by the KTO Rosomak. There were 110 SKOT APCs and SKOT based vehicles in service as of 2005.
Sierra Leone - 10 OT-64 APCs armed with a pintle-mounted machine gun ordered from Slovakia in 1993 and delivered in 1994, the vehicles were previously in Slovak service.^[3]
Slovakia
Sri Lanka - OT-64 SKOT-based Command vehicles.
Sudan - 40 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from Czechoslovakia in 1969 and delivered in 1970.^[3]
Syria - 300 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from Czechoslovakia in 1976 and delivered between 1977 and 1979.^[3]
Uganda - 36 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from Czechoslovakia in 1967 and delivered in 1968.^[3]
Uruguay - 60 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from the Czech Republic in 1994 and delivered in 1995, the vehicles were previously in Czech service and were modernized to OT-93 standard prior to the delivery. 18 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from the Czech Republic in 1996 and delivered in 1999, the vehicles were previously in Czech service and were modernized to OT-93 standard prior to the delivery. 12 OT-64 APCs armed with a pintle-mounted machine gun ordered from Slovakia in 1999 and delivered in 1999, the vehicles were previously in Slovak service and were delivered via the Czech Republic.^[3]

Former Military Operators

Czechoslovakia - Passed on to the successor states.
Iraq - 200 OT-64A (version fitted with BRDM-2 turret) ordered from Czechoslovakia in 1980 and delivered in 1981.^[3] All destroyed or scrapped.

Civilian Operators

At least 2 SKOT APC's one in Czech Republic and one in Poland have been modified an are used as firefighting vehicles^[7]
Many SKOT APCs in Poland and the Czech Republic were sold to private owners who make sure they are in working condition and regularly show them on military enthusiast's meetings.^[8] Some private Czech OT-64's have number plates and can travel on public roads.^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r "Pancerni 1"
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "JED The Military Equipment Directory"
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
^ Algerian army armyrecognition.com
^ "Czech Ministry of Defense"
^ Egyptian army armyrecognition.com
^ Civilian versions of the OT-64 SKOT, www.specops.com.p
^ MILITARIUM - Wojsko Polskie - Uzbrojenie
^ Czech SKOT photos, www.specops.com.pl

Jerzy Kajetanowicz - Polish Fighting Vehicles in Post-war period.
Janusz Magnuski - Wozy Bojowe LWP 1943-1983 Wydawnictwo Miniterstwa Obrony Narodowej - ISBN 83-11-06990-5
Technika Wojska Polskiego - Dom Wydawniczy Bellona - 1998

Literature

Philip Terwhitt, “Tank”, New Emperor Publishing House, complaint ford, 2005, ISBN 3-7043-3197-X

Modern wheeled infantry fighting vehicles and personnel carriers

4 × 4	ACMAT Agrale Marruá AMZ Dzik AMZ Tur AMZ Żubr Aravis ATF Dingo Austin Champ AXE Badger ILAV BPM-97 BOV Buffel Bushmaster Casspir Cheetah MMPV Cobra Commando Chaimite Condor Corvo Cougar H Duro III Dozor-B Didgori Eagle Enok F2 Fahd FNSS Pars Fennek FTTS FMC XR311 G-Class Golan Grizzly Humvee Honker Iveco LMV Kaya Komatsu LAV Land Rover Wolf LIV (SO) Serval LOV-1 M1117 Guardian Mamba Marine MPV Maverick Marksman M-ATV MaxxPro Millenworks LUV Mungo ESK MWMIK MXT-MV MX-1 Kalakian MX-8 Barako NIMR Ocelot OKA Perentie P4 Pinzgauer PVP Piranha Puma Reva RG-12 RG-31 Nyala RG-32 Scout RG Outrider RG-33 RG-34 Iguana RG-35 S600 Sand Cat Santana Anibal Saxon Simba Sherpa 2 Storm T-98 Kombat Type 90 Tiuna Tempest MPV Type 6614 GAZ-2975 Tigr Unibuffel UR-416 URO VAMTAC VAB VBL VPK-3927 Volk VXB Vodnik Wolf

6 × 6	ACMAT Al-Faris 8-400 Alvis Saracen Arma Patria AMV AMX 10 RC Armoured Multirole Carrier AVGP Grizzly BAE Caiman Buffalo H Ceradyne Bull Cougar HE Duro III EE-9 Cascavel EE-11 Urutu ERC 90 Sagaie F2 FNSS Pars Fuchs Grizzly HPV Mastiff PPV Mbombe MPV-I MTVR NIMR Nurol Ejder Pandur 6x6 Patria Pasi Perentie Pindad Panser Pegaso BMR Pegaso VEC-M1 Pinzgauer Piranha Puma Ratel RG-33 RG-35 RN-94 Shoet TATRAPAN WZ551 Type 92 WZ523 Type 93 VBTP-MR VAB LKOV Valuk Rheinmetall YAK

8 × 8	Al-Fahd Arma Patria AMV ASLAV AV-81 Terrex Bison Boxer MRAV BTR-3 BTR-4 BTR-80 BTR-90 BTR-94 Centauro VBC CM-32 Coyote FNSS Pars KTO Irbis KTO Rosomak KTO Ryś Lazar BVT LAV-25 LAV III SEP Luchs LVS NZLAV Pandur II 8x8 Piranha RG41 Rooikat Saur 1 Stryker OT-64 SKOT Tatra T815 Type 92 Type 96 VBCI VBTP-MR

10 × 10	LVSR Piranha

Polish armoured fighting vehicles after World War II

Main battle tanks	Leopard 2A4 · PT-91 Twardy · T-72 · T-55AM2 Merida · T-55 · T-54 · T-34

Light tanks	WPB Anders · PT-76B · PT-76 · T-70

Infantry fighting vehicles	WPB Anders · KTO Rosomak · BWP-2000 · BWP-2 · BWP-1

Armoured personnel carriers	KTO Ryś · SPG Kalina · Opal · MT-LB · OT-62 TOPAS · OT-64 SKOT

Armored cars	AMZ Dzik · AMZ Tur · BRDM-2M-98 Żbik-A · BRDM-2M-97 Żbik-B · BRDM-2M-96ik Szakal Plus · BRDM-2M-96ik Szakal · BRDM-2M-96i · BRDM-2M-96 · BRDM-2

MRAPs	Cougar H

Four-wheel drive vehicles	Tumak-3 · Tumak-4 · Honker Skorpion-3

Self-propelled guns	Krab · 2S1T Goździk · Dana-T wz. 77 · Dana wz. 77 · 2S1 Goździk · ASU-85

Rocket artillery	WR-40 Langusta · RM-70/85 · BM-21 Grad · BM-24 · BM-14

Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns	PZA Loara · ZSU-23-4MP Biała · Hibernyt-P · Hibernyt-KG · Hibernyt · ZSU-23-4 · ZSU-57-2

Self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems	9K33M2 Osa-AK · 9K33M3 Osa-AKM · S-125 Newa SC · MIM-104 Patriot · 2K11M Krug-M · 2K12M Kub-M

Tatra models

Cars	NW Präsident · NW A · NW B · NW C · NW D · NW E · NW Elektromobil · NW F · NW J · NW L · NW S · NW T · NW U 10 · 11 · 12 · 17 · 20 · 26/30 · 26/52 · 30 · 30/52 · 31 · 52 · 52 Sports · 54 · 57 · 57A · 57B · 70 · 70A · 75 · 77 · 77a · 80 · 87 · 87-603 · 97 · 107 · 600 Tatraplan · 603 · 2-603 · 613 · 623 · 700

Civilian trucks:	NW First Truck · NW TL-2 · NW TL-4 13 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 27B · 28 · 43 · 49 · 50 · 51 · 72 · 74 · 79 · 81 · 84 · 85 · 85A · 86 · 92 · 111 · 114 · 115 · 116 · 128 · 130 · 138 · 141 · 147 · 148 · 157 · 158 Phoenix · 163 Jamal · 400 · 401 · 500 · 700 · 805 · 810 · 813 · 815 · 815-2 · 816 · Beta

Military trucks:	57K · 72 · 82 · 93 · 111 · 805 · 809 · 810 · 813 · 815 · 815-2 · 816 · DANA · OT-62 · OT-64 · OT-810 · V750 · V799 · V809

Prototypes and racing cars:	NW Rennzweier · 12 Targa Florio · 30 Sport · 90 · 137 · 201 · 600 Diesel · 601 Convertible · 601 Monte Carlo · 602 Tatraplan Sports · 603A · 603 B5 · 603 B6 · 603 MB · 603 Monte Carlo · 603 X · 604 · 605 · 607 · 607-2 · 625 · Baghira · Dolphin · JK 2500 · microbus · MTX V8 · Prezident · V570 · V855 · Jamal Evo