OT-64 SKOT

The OT-64 SKOT (Czech acronym for: Střední Kolový Obrněný Transportér, and/or Polish Średni Kołowy Opancerzony Transporter – medium wheeled armoured transporter) is an amphibious armored personnel carrier (8x8), developed jointly by Polish People's Republic (PRL) and Czechoslovakia (ČSSR) well into the 1960s.
Until the early 1970s Czechoslovakia and the Polish People's Republic produced around 4,500 OT-64 SKOTs of all variants, just under a third of which were exported. In 2002, the modernization of the SKOT transporter began in Poland. The work resulted in the KTO Ryś prepared by Wojskowe Zakłady Mechaniczne No. 5 from Poznań.
The OT-64 was intended to replace the halftrack OT-810, which was nearly identical to the German Sd.Kfz. 251 from World War II. The first prototype was built in 1959. In 1961 the first sample series were built. From October 1963 the vehicles were produced in Lublin, Poland by Fabryka Samochodów Ciężarowych. The Polish plant acted as an assembly plant. Components of the propulsion system and power transmission, Tatra engine, Praga transmission and chassis, were imported from Czechoslovakia.
Armored hulls and turrets (Huta in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski and Huta Częstochowa), elements of the suspension system (Huta Stalowa Wola) and on-board armaments (Zakłady Mechaniczne in Tarnów) were manufactured in Poland. Production ended in July 1971. Of the 4,500 OT-64s produced, 2,500 were obtained by the Polish army, and 2,000 by the Czechoslovak army. They were also acquired by the Hungarian army. Later, after introducing the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles into service, SKOT transporters were exported to other countries. Today, they are gradually being replaced by newer vehicles.
The OT-64's engine, transmission, suspension and axles were produced in Czechoslovakia. The engine was produced by Tatra. The gearbox was manufactured by Praga Hostivař. It has a pre-select Praga-Wilson gearbox, 5 forward +1 reverse gears. A gear is selected using the gear stick. When the gear is required the left pedal, gear change action/clutch combined, is pressed to the floor, giving a hiss of air sound. On release of the pedal the dry plate clutch engages after about half the return spring controlled movement.
The drive then passes to an auxiliary gearbox with low, neutral and high ratios which needs to be selected before moving off, for road/neutral/off-road use. This gives option to the driver of 10 forward and 2 reverse ratios. The gear change pedal is hydraulic and on action opens an air valve which causes the selected gear to engage. 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 has NBC protection facility and night-vision equipment. It has central inflation for all wheels which can be controlled by the driver. The OT-64 is air-transportable and amphibious, with two propellers installed at the back.
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.
OT-64 SKOT entered service with Polish and Czechoslovak armies in 1963. It was produced until the early 1970s. It is still in service in Poland and Slovakia, among other operated by the Slovak police. Czech units were replaced in 2006 by new armoured vehicles Pandur II CZ.
During the 1990s, Slovakia purchased hundreds of these units from the Czech Republic (150 in 1994, 100 in 1998). Slovaks then sold them to mainly African countries. The OT-64 SKOT was exported to eleven countries. The total number of vehicles produced was 4,500.