OT M-60

OT M-60 APC
M-60P
Type	Armoured Personnel Carrier
Place of origin	Yugoslavia
Specifications
Weight	11,000 kg
Length	5.02 meters
Width	2.77 meters
Height	2.385  meters with 12,7mm MG 1.86  meters without 12,7mm MG
Crew	3
Armor	10-25 mm
Main armament	12,7 mm M2 HB Browning heavy machine gun
Secondary armament	coaxial 7.92 M53 machine-gun 2,000 rounds
Engine	Famos FFTR 150hp
Power/weight	17,3 hp/tonne
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	400 km on road 250 km off road
Speed	45 km/h on land 8 km/h in water

The OT M-60, is a Yugoslavian armoured personnel carrier, produced in the 1960's.

Development

The OT (Oklopni transporter - armoured personnel carrier) M-60 was the first Yugoslav serial produced armored vehicle. Research and development of the M-60 began in 1956, and the first prototype has been produced in June 1958. Until the final serial production, the new armoured personnel carrier was known under the designation Objekat M-590. Serial production started in 1962, and M-60 has been publicly presented on Victory day parade, same year. The quality of the vehicles did not satisfy the requirements given by Yugoslav People's Army, so the FAMOS has started the development of upgraded model, OT M-60P (P - poboljšani - improved) which has been introduced in production in 1970. During the serial production, from 1962 until 1979 around 790 vehicles were produced, which from 190 have been exported. In 1973 anti-tank variant with two 82mm M60 recoilless gun has been developed. ^[1]

Most of armored personnel carriers consisted armored and mechanized brigades of Yugoslav People's Army, while a number has been used by Federal Police, being painted in a characteristic blue color. With the start of Yugoslav wars, M-60 immediately proved to be obsolete with many defects. Armour protection was weak against almost all anti-armoured wepones, so the M-60 APC's have suffered heavy losses in early conflicts in Slovenia, while fire power was insufficient. Later during the war, this APC was used for transport of ammunition to the front line and evacuation of infantry and wounded. M-60 has been used by almost all armies created in former Yugoslavia. Military of FR Yugoslavia has withdrawn last 121 M-60P APC's from service in 2004 due the arms limitation agreement.

The M-60 armoured personnel carrier had never managed to meet all the required specifications. Despite all disadvantages, it has played a role during its 40 years use. According to its characteristics was generally similar to the other APCs of the period. Most importantly it was inciting mass mechanization of Yugoslav People's Army. Its deficiencies were later compensated with newly introduced BVP M-80 infantry fighting vehicle.

Characteristics

The basic layout is driver front left, his hatch has a day sight, which can be replaced with an infa-red for night driving. To his right is the Bow MG operator. The commander sits behind the driver with a 12.7mm MG on his cupola, which can be used in the Anti-Aircraft role.

The vehicle is powered by a 6 cylinder diesel, which generates 140hp, giving a top road speed of 45km/h. The vehicle is an all welded steel construction, which gives protection against small arms. It has no NBC protection system.

The rear compartment is for 10 troops who site on benches back to back so they can fire their personal weapons through side ports (3 either side) and they depart the vehicle via two doors set in the rear.^[2]

Variants

• M-60 - First production model, also known as M-590.
• M-60P - Improved model.
• M-60PB - Anti-tank variant with twin 82mm recoilless rifles mounted on the top left or top right of hull at rear.
• M-60PK - Battalion commander's vehicle.

References

• Jane’s tanks and combat vehicles recognition guide, Christopher F. Foss, Harper Collins Publishers, 2000.

1. ^ M-60P
2. ^ The Yugoslavian (former) M-60P APC

• Srpski Oklop (Serbian)