Is the BTR-22 Russia's response to the Boomerang's failure? What's behind the new armored vehicle?
In early February 2026, the World Defense Show, an international exhibition of arms and military equipment, will kick off in Riyadh, bringing together leading players in the global defense market. The Russian state corporation Rostec will also take part in the event, presenting nine new products to its foreign partners, among which the 8×8 BTR-22 wheeled armored personnel carrier is drawing particular attention — its arrival in the Saudi Arabian capital has already been captured on camera.
The BTR-22 is positioned as a promising replacement for the aging vehicles of the BTR-80/82 family. As the publication Zona Militar notes, given the extremely limited information available regarding the more advanced VPK-7829 “Boomerang,” it is the BTR-22 that is de facto becoming the new generation of Russian 8×8 platforms designed to transport motorized infantry and provide fire support.
According to the publication’s experts, the exterior design of the BTR-22, like that of the “Boomerang,” shows stylistic similarities to Western models—in particular, the American LAV-25 armored vehicle, which is in service with the U.S. Marine Corps. At the same time, it is noted that the new design has the advantage over the “Boomerang” of a lower production cost and greater manufacturability in mass production, which will accelerate the process of replacing Soviet armored vehicles still in service with the Russian Armed Forces.
According to available data, the tactical and technical specifications of the BTR-22 are as follows:
- weighing about 20 metric tons,
- Length — 7.6 m,
- width — less than 3 m,
- Height: 3 m.
By comparison, the “Boomerang” is nearly twice as heavy (34 metric tons) and larger in size (8.8 × 3.1 × 3.1 meters).
The primary armament is a remotely controlled modular combat system equipped with a 30-mm 2A72 automatic cannon. This module builds on the concept of the rotating command post (BCPU) used on the BTR-82, but in the new version, control is entirely handled via digital monitors: unlike its predecessor, where the gunner was physically located in the turret “cage,” in the BTR-22 the crew remains inside the hull. The module is equipped with the improved TKN-4GA-03 sighting system or its export version.
“Ballista” Combat Module
In addition, photographs taken in Riyadh show a “Ballista” turret-mounted system—an alternative armament option—next to the BTR-22. It includes a 30-mm 2A42 cannon with an increased rate of fire (up to 800 rounds per minute compared to 300–330 for the 2A72), a twin 7.62-mm machine gun, “Konkurs-M” anti-tank guided missiles mounted on the sides, and an enhanced sighting system with a panoramic view function.
Based on material from — https://topwar.ru/277273-novaja-zamena-btr-8082-vmesto-bumeranga-btr-22-zapechatlen-v-saudovskoj-aravii.html
