The BTR-ZD Skrezhet is a Soviet Armored Personnel Carrier that appears in Wargame: AirLand Battle. In Wargame: Red Dragon, the BTR-ZD Skrezhet is rerolled into a Infantry Fighting Vehicle. It is only available to Airborne or non-specialized decks.
History[]
The BTR-ZD Skrezhet (Бронетранспортёр-Зенитная Десанта "Скрежет", Anti-aircraft APC for Airborne troops "Screech") is BTR-D mounted a ZU-23-2 autocannon. After the introduction of the BMD-1 in VDV service in 1969, the vehicle was deemed too small for practical transport capabilities; so the Volgograd Tractor Factory (BMD-1's manufacturer) built a new APC for the VDV based on BMD-1, with a longer hull while removing its original turret system. The new BTR-D entered the service in 1974.
As it was intended, it was originally only capable of carrying Strela and Igla MANPADS, but later on the airborne troops came up with the idea of attaching a ZU-23-2 autocannon on the modified BTR-D chassis. A little while later, the idea was approved by the manufacturers, and the 23mm autocannon began to be pre-installed on factory-built BTR-ZDs. These variants also had armored plating around the gun crew to protect them from shrapnel and rifle-caliber fire.
Like BTR-RD Robot counterparts, BTR-ZD Skrezhet serves as a transport for VDV MANPAD teams.
Overview[]
The BTR-ZD Skrezhet is an APC that one could reasonably mistake for having a single use as a troop transporter. With an armour that only just about protects it and the troops inside from MG fire, it doesn't win any awards for survivability, especially with an open top. What it does bring to the table is something downright fearsome: an anti-aircraft gun on its back.
Lacking a dedicated SPAAG like the ZSU-23-4V1 Shilka, Soviet airborne commanders often turn to the Skrezhet to clear the skies for good reason. It will shred apart helicopters, infantry and unarmoured vehicles like a scythe through wheat; in some situations, it can even eat through lightly-armoured tanks and IFVs. The biggest boon of all when bringing the Skrezhet to the table, however, is that it comes with infantry. Combined with its AT-focused brother, the BTR-RD Robot (or better yet, any one of the three BMD models) an airborne commander can heavily fortify a village or town against most threats with frightening ease. Large numbers of Skrezhets (and they can come in very large numbers if you use them to transport VDV/90) will rip through any helicopter rush while allied infantry, aircraft and more potent IFVs fend off ground units.
Essentially, the Skrezhet excels at helping to keep a control point long enough for you to amass the points to roll up the Soviet Air Force's deadliest groundpounders. They are also great in non-specialised decks to support armoured units against chopper attack, similarly to the Promet/Sopel for Polish/Eastern Bloc decks.
Due to their lack of Top Armor, the Skrezhet is very vulnerable when facing long-range curved fire. Players can also find the same cannon on Ural ZU-23-2, but that vehicle is much worse.
Weapons[]
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | MMG | Twin Autocannon | No Weapon |
| Name | Quad PKT | ZU-23-2 | |
| Caliber | 7.62mm | 23mm | |
| Ammo | x 4800 | x 2000 | |
| Range | Ground = 875 m Helicopters = 525 m  Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 1050 m Helicopters = 2450 m Airplanes = 1750 m
|
|
| Accuracy | 10% | 15% | |
| Stabilizer | 5% | 5% | |
| AP Power | N/A | N/A | |
| HE Power | .5 | 1 | |
| Suppression | 55 | 92 | |
| Rate of fire | 1518 r/min | 472 r/min |
