The Russian military has carried out a deep modernization of the tracked BTR-50 armored personnel carriers, originally developed back in the 1950s on the basis of the amphibious light tank PT-76. These vehicles in various modifications remain in service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and are receiving updates adapted to the realities of modern combat operations.
Among the key innovations is the installation of anti-drone protection in the form of slat "barbecues" above the roof and side anti-HEAT screens, which significantly increase the vehicle's survivability against FPV drones and shaped-charge munitions.
The small-arms armament has also been significantly upgraded. Instead of the outdated 7.62 mm SGMB machine guns (and in rare cases the 12.7 mm DShKM), they now predominantly mount the more powerful 12.7 mm NSV "Utyos" machine gun, distinguished by its long range and penetration capability. A number of vehicles have been fitted with full-fledged turrets from wheeled APCs with a 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun paired with a 7.62 mm PKT, allowing them to effectively engage lightly armored targets and enemy personnel at ranges of up to 2-3 km.
For fire support tasks and countering aerial threats, including small UAVs, BTR-50 variants equipped with twin ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft mounts are used.
Despite the considerable age of the basic design, the BTR-50 is still highly valued for its exceptional cross-country mobility, its ability to independently ford water obstacles, and the mechanical reliability proven over decades.