Development

The OT 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

Victory Day

Victory Day is a common name of many different public holidays in various countries to commemorate victories in important battles or wars in the countries' history.- April 30 in Vietnam :...

 parade, same year. The quality of the vehicles did not satisfy the requirements given by Yugoslav People's Army

Yugoslav People's Army

The Yugoslav People's Army , also referred to as the Yugoslav National Army , was the military of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.-Origins:The origins of the JNA can...

, 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

M60 recoilless gun

The M60 recoilless gun is an 82-mm antitank recoilless gun developed in the former Yugoslavia. It entered service with the Yugoslav People's Army in the 1960s.-Description:...

 has been developed.

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

Yugoslav wars

The Yugoslav Wars were a series of wars, fought throughout the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995. The wars were complex: characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, mostly between Serbs on the one side and Croats and Bosniaks on the other; but also...

, 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

Ten-Day War

The Ten-Day War or the Slovenian Independence War was a military conflict between the Slovenian Territorial Defence and the Yugoslav People's Army in 1991 following Slovenia's declaration of independence.-Background:...

, 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

Military of Serbia and Montenegro

The Military of Serbia and Montenegro were the armed forces of the Serbia and Montenegro...

 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

Yugoslav People's Army

The Yugoslav People's Army , also referred to as the Yugoslav National Army , was the military of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.-Origins:The origins of the JNA can...

. Its deficiencies were later compensated with newly introduced BVP M-80

BVP M-80

The BVP M-80, is a Yugoslavian infantry fighting vehicle, produced in the 1980s until the Yugoslav civil wars in the 1990s.-Development:Early research and development of the M-80 began in 1969, with testing of the first completed prototype in 1974. First examples of the, BVP M-80 rolled out in 1979...

infantry fighting vehicle.

Characteristics

The basic layout is driver front left, his hatch has a day sight, which can be replaced with an infrared 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.

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.