Serbian army to receive modernized BVP M80A infantry fighting vehicle
18-May-2020
The result of the modernization of the BVP M-80A infantry fighting vehicle was demonstrated at the Military Technical Institute on 15 May, after which the working team in charge of carrying out the project of "Modernization of the BVP M-80A infantry fighting vehicle" held a meeting about further stages of modernization.
Today's activities were attended by the Acting Assistant Minister of Defence for Material Resources Nenad Miloradovi?, the Head of the Department for Defence Technologies, Major General Mladen Vuruna and the Head of the Working Team, Commander of the Second Army Brigade, Brigadier General Željko Kuzmanovi?.
After the initial testing of the improved running gear and armored body of the vehicle, the Serbian Armed Forces made a request for a certain redesign, primarily in order to allow for more comfortable use. Hydraulic sliding doors have been installed, and the interior has been completely redesigned so that it is more comfortable for the crew and increases the storage volume. The infantry is being rapidly equipped with a new generation of protective ballistic equipment and small arms, so all modifications should enable more efficient use of the new generation of weapons.
The Head of the Working Team, the Commander of the Second Army Brigade, Brigadier General Željko Kuzmanovi? pointed out that the team of the Serbian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, in charge of supervising and directing the modernization process of the BVP M-80A checked to what extent the previous proposals and observations of both the Team and the members of the 2nd Army Brigade’s Mechanized Section have been respected.
When it comes to the configuration of the vehicle and its mobility in the field, the improved running gear increases stability on off-road terrain and comfort of the crew. The hydraulic ramp, which was installed at the suggestion of the Team, significantly reduces the time of entry and exit of the Mechanized Section. Also, the ballistic characteristics are significantly better, compared to the basic version of the infantry fighting vehicle, said General Kuzmanovi?.
Source: armyrecognition.com