During the period of the Shah, Iran purchased and received around 300 BTR-50's, and during the Iran–Iraq War hundreds were captured. While only 150-270 are estimated to be in service, hundreds are currently in storage, and a couple were given to the Popular Mobilization Forces.[2] The IRGC realized after the Iran–Iraq War, that the BTR-50s and BTR-60s it had needed more armour and firepower, leading to the development of the Makran, Heidar-6, and Heidar-7.[citation needed] The Sedad, a BTR-60PB with an unmanned ZU-23-2 was developed as a temporary solution.[3]
A tour of an IRGC run upgrade facility by Tasnim News Agency appears to show some of the captured BTR-50s and MT-LBs currently in storage, with Raad unmanned turrets being produced in the factory.[4] Videos posted on YouTube in 2021 appear to show an unpainted prototype moving through water.[5][6] Another prototype or in-completed Makran was seen in the same Tasnim News Agency video tour, which only had the unmanned turret and side armor upgrades; it was painted in grey and tan, with some unpainted parts.[4]
In June 2020, the vehicle was displayed for the first time, alongside an upgraded T-72M dubbed "Rakhsh" and a heavily upgraded BTR-60 dubbed "Heidar-7".[7][8][9]
Design
another picture
Design and upgrades
The Makran has been so heavily upgraded that one may not be able to notice the BTR-50 hull.[original research?] The IFV has upgraded hull modifications: a newly welded frontal armor plate, thicker side armor, and thicker floor plating.[2][8] It also has a new unmanned turret called "Raad-2",[10] armed with a Shipunov 2A4230mmautomatic cannon and a 7.62mmcoaxial machine gun. The "Raad" unmanned turret contains a brand new fire-control system, a thermal-imaging sensor, night-vision cameras, a laser range finder, 3-6 smoke canister launchers, and is controlled via a display panel in the hull.[1][2][10][8] The laser range finder has a range of 10,000 meters, and the thermal-imaging sensor has a range of 4,000 meters.[11] The vehicle stores 500 rounds of 30mm ammunition for the Shipunov 2A42auto-cannon, and 2000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition for the coaxial machine gun.[2] The vehicle's driver also has a new cupola and periscope, to fit with the newly molded frontal armor.[2]
Some have claimed, be that incorrectly, that the Makran's turret is that of a BMP-2.[9] However the two differentiate in size, looks, capability, structure, and adaptability. The reasoning behind an unmanned turret is to increase crew survivability and adaptability, not to increase ammunition storage.[citation needed]
