Development
The development of new infantry fighting vehicle to replace obsolete APC M-60 began in 1969. Testing of the prototype was finished in 1974 following the decision to start serial production. First examples of this new IFV, BVP M-80 rolled out in 1979 but full entry to service happened in 1982. An upgraded model was unveiled a year after with a designation M-80A. This variant had a more powerful engine and somewhat better armor. Around 800 vehicles were produced before the breakup of the country.
The first production variant was the M-80 which was only made in small numbers. The vehicle used a French built engine with an output of 260hp, the same engine as used in AMX-10. After only a year, Yugoslavia decided to start a license production of Daimler-Benz's 320hp engine in domestic FAMOS factories. This variant received a new designation as M-80A.
At the time it was produced, M-80 had similar characteristics with existing IFVs like Russian BMP-1 or French AMX 10P. Although many foreign experts compare M-80 with Russian BMP-1, the Yugoslav IFV is a true original design. Unlike BMP-1 which had 6 support wheels and was armed with 73 mm gun, M-80 had 5 support wheels and had 20 mm gun. M-80 incorporates numerous elements from the newer BMP-2 and the French AMX-10 giving it more power and better protection over its counterpart. All M-80s are amphibious. For anti-tank warfare, M-80s are equipped with twin launcher for ATGM-3 which are now being replaced by more modern weapons.
It was used extensively during the Yugoslav Wars.
Characteristics
The M-80A is armed with one 20 mm gun, co-axial machine gun 7.62 mm and twin launcher for wire guided anti-tank missiles. Is is NBC protected, fire suppression system, inside heating and water ejecting system. It’s fully amphibious and can perform crossing of any water barrier without previous preparations. Max. speed at water is 7 km/h. Crew consist of three, driver, commander and gun operator and in the after compartment there is space for six fully equipped infantrymen who can engage the enemy with personal armament through six gun slits on both vehicle sides and back doors. Infantry leaves IFV through two doors at the back of the vehicle.
Service
Serbia - 517 M-80A
Bosnia and Herzegovina - 60 M-80A
Slovenia - 52 M-80A currently active (to be withdrawn)
Croatia - 104 M-80A + 24 9P113 Polo
- M-80 - First production model with 260hp engine, replaced after 1 year.
- M-80A - Improved version with 320hp engine, full production.
- M-80A1 - Twin 30-mm anti-aircraft cannon, prototype only;
- M-80A KC - Company commander's vehicle.
- M-80A KB - Battalion commander's vehicle.
- M-80A Sn - Medivac, no turret. Single oblong hatch in the roof and single rear door. Carry's 4 stretcher patients or 6 seated patients.
- M-80A LT - Tank hunter version with six AT-3 launchers.
- Sava M-90 - SA-13 Surface-to-air missile launcher, designated Strela-10MJ, prototype.
- SPAT 30/2 - Self-Propelled Ant-aircraft gun. Made with mounting of two 30mm cannons. The aim-scan gear is J-171 ore Motorola 6800.
- MOS - Self-propelled mine layer.
- M-80AK/M-98A - single 30mm cannon and new gun turret.
| BVP M-80 ICV/IFV | |
|---|---|
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin |  Yugoslavia |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 13.850 kg |
| Length | 6.42 meters |
| Width | 2.90 meters |
| Height | 2.20 meters |
| Crew | 3 + 7 |
| | |
| Armor | Aluminum/Aluminum oxide/Titanium boride |
| Primary armament | 20 mm M-55 (HS 804) cannon 900 rounds 9M114 Maljutka (AT-3 Sagger) ATGW 2 Missiles or ATGM launcher |
| Secondary armament | coaxial 7.62 machine-gun and 12.7 mm Heavy Machine gun 2,200 rounds |
| Engine | Daimler Benz OM-403 320 hp |
| Power/weight | 22.6 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
| Operational range | 500 km |
| Speed | 65 km/h on land 8 km/h in water |
