15.05.2020.

Modernization of an infantry fighting vehicle

The result of the modernization of the BVP M-80A infantry fighting vehicle was demonstrated at the Military Technical Institute today, 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 on further steps and stages of modernization.

Today's activities were attended by the Acting Assistant Minister of Defence for Material Resources Nenad Miloradović, PhD, 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 Kuzmanović.

According to the Assistant Minister Miloradović, this is one of the most important development and modernization projects for the needs of the Army.

- Today, it was shown what progress has been made on the modification of the infantry fighting vehicle based on the request of the Team and the conclusions from the previous meetings. After the initial testing of the improved running gear and armoured body of the vehicle, the Serbian Armed Forces made a request for a certain redesign, primarily in order to allow for a more comfortable landing. Hydraulic sliding doors have been installed, and the interior has been completely redesigned so that it is more comfortable for the crew and in order to make more storage space for additional combat resources. The infantry is being rapidly equipped with a new generation of protective ballistic equipment and small arms, so all modifications should enable a more efficient use of the new generation of weapons - said Miloradović adding that new elements of the opto-electronic battlefield visualization system and automotive night vision systems were demonstrated today.

The Head of the Working Team, the Commander of the Second Army Brigade, Brigadier General Željko Kuzmanović 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 infantry fighting vehicle checked today to what extent the previous proposals and observations of both the Team and the members of the Second Army Brigade’s Mechanized Section have been respected.

- When it comes to the configuration of the infantry fighting vehicle and its mobility in the field, the running gear is much more stable and better, which gives stability to the fighting vehicle when moving and stability and comfort of the crew inside the vehicle. The fighting vehicle is more comfortable compared to the basic version, and the hydraulic ramp, which was installed at the suggestion of the Team, significantly reduces the time of entry and exit of the members of the Mechanized Section. Also, we saw that the ballistic characteristics are significantly better, compared to the basic version of the infantry fighting vehicle - said General Kuzmanović and expressed his expectation that these vehicles will soon be in the units of the Serbian Armed Forces.

Deputy Commander of the Second Army Brigade’s Mechanized Section, Sergeant Branislav Đurović, said that the vehicle proved to be excellent today compared to the previous testing when the seat position was different and that "thanks to this, boarding and disembarking is made easier" and added that the vehicle is now "better and more comfortable".