YUGOSLAVIAN MECHANIZED INFANTRY COMBAT VEHICLE M-980

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00060R000300040001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 1, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

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Imagery analysis report
Yugoslavian Mechanized Infantry
Combat Vehicle M-980 (S)
Secret
WNINTEL
Secret
Z-12011/83
IAR-0006/83
FEBRUARY 1983
Copy I
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Warning Notice
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(WNINTEL)
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
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YUGOSLAVIAN MECHANIZED INFANTRY
COMBAT VEHICLE M-980 (S)
1. (S/WN) This report provides a summary of the initial deployment, the vehicle characteris-
tics, and the development and production history of the Yugoslavian-produced M-980 mecha-
nized infantry combat vehicle (MICV). A recent article in the Yugoslavian military magazine,
FRONT, refers to this vehicle as the M-80;1 however, this name has not been seen in other
sources. Unit numbers referenced in this report are from the DIA ground order-of-battle.2 This
report includes four annotated photographs.
SUMMARY
Deployment
2. (S/WN) Initial operational deployment of the M-980 evidently occurred in early 1982L
t least three M-980s on a train in Belgrade
On the same train, tanks, whose turret numbers identified them as belong-
ing to the 4th Tito Guards (TG) Tank Regiment of the 4th TG Infantry Division, were seen
four M-980s in Beograd Tank Barracks 0241 I Figure 1),
the garrison for the 4th TG Tank Regiment. at least 13 M-980s were seen in
Beograd Army Barracks Banjica 0821 ~ which houses the 131st TG Infantry Regiment
of the 4th TG Infantry Division. Two M-980s were see
formed combat unit in Skopje Army Barracks East 041
with a newly
3. (S/WN) The M-980 was reportedly troop tested in early 1981.4 Therefore, the M-980s with
the 4th TG Infantry Division and Skopje were probably the first issued to line units. These
deployments suggest that at least limited series production is in progress and that more of these
MICVs should soon appear with active units.
Vehicle Characteristics
(U) The M-980 is a tracked, amphibious, 13-ton vehicle.
It has a one-man turret carrying a 20mm, dual-purpose main gun; a 7.62mm coaxial
machine gun; and two antitank missiles. This vehicle provides chemical, biological, and radiologi-
cal protection for the two-man crew and eight infantrymen. Each infantryman is provided with a
weapons-firing port, similar to those of the Soviet BMPs. Troop access is via two rear doors and
two top hatches (Figures 1 and 3).1
5. (S/WN) The automotive components of the M-980 are based to some extent on the
French AMX-10P MICV. The M-980's capabilities compare very favorably with both the AMX-10P
and the Soviet BMP.S
6. (U) According to the FRONT article, the M-980 is powered by a front-mounted engine
with a specific power of 18 kilowatts per ton. The steering mechanism is combined with a five-
speed gearbox of Yugoslav design. The vehicle has a maximum road speed of 60 kilometers per
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WNINTEL
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hour and a maximum water speed of 7 kilometers per hour. A specific ground pressure of 0.64
kilogram per square centimeter should provide a good cross-country capability.'
Development and Production History
7. (U) The M-980 was put on parade in 1975 and was to succeed the M-60 armored person-
nel carrier (APC). The M-60 is a nonamphibious APC that has a rather limited fighting ability since
the crew must be exposed to operate its weapons and the infantrymen must dismount to fight.
The M-980s, paraded in 1975, were powered by a Hispano-Suiza turbocharged, V-8 diesel engine
made under license in Yugoslavia.5 This engine apparently did not produce enough power for the
Yugoslavs' purposes, and a new engine was obtained.'
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8. (S/WN) A US military attache visited the Sarajevo Armored Vehicle and Engine Pl
ant
plete, but about 50 M-980s in var tages of assembly were preseln,~V da5ernoiy une was mcom
7 The attache was also shown from 30 to 40 Mercedes Benz
iese engines, allegedly made under license in Yugoslavia. A comparison of recent ground
photographs of the M-980s with those taken in 1975 suggests that the Hispano-Suiza engine has
been replaced by the larger, more powerful Mercedes Benz engine. The turret appears to be
further to the rear of the vehicle, probably to allow room for the slightly larger engine. Also, both
the engine access plate and the turbocharger exhaust pipe on the right side of the hull are larger
(Figure 4).1-6
tiPIC T-5732
FIGURE 3. M-980 MICV. Open-source photograph from Yugoslav magazine, FRONT, dated 6 August 1982.
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IMAGERY ANALYST'S COMMENTS
9. (S/WN) The addition of the M-980s to the Yugoslavian ground forces provides a signifi-
cant improvement in their fighting capability. It is comparable to the BMP in troop-carrying
capability, armor protection, and maneuverability. However, its weapons and fire-control ar-
rangements differ significantly from the BMPs in that both guns can be used against air and
ground targets and the antitank missiles can be fired and controlled independently of the guns.'
This MICV can also be converted to other specialized uses. For example, at the Famos Plant, an
antitank version with six missile launch rails has been seen.' In addition, because the M-980 is
already listed in the arms catalog that Yugoslavia distributes to third world countries, its possible
sale abroad could generate needed foreign revenue.'
ENGINE ACCESS
PLATE
FIGURE 4. M-980 MICV. Open-source photograph from Yugoslav magazine, FRONT, dated 6 August 1982.
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DOCUMENTS
1. FRONT, New
2. DIA.
3. DoD
M-80 Infantry Combat Vehicle, p 3, 6 Aug 82 (UNCLASSIFIED)
AO Belgrade.
round Order of Battle: Yugoslavia (U), Aug 80 (SECRET)
M980 Observed in Belgrade (U), 9 Apr 82 (CONFIDENTIAL)
Weapons Developments (U), 261030Z 26 Mar 81 (CONFIDEN-
5. International Defense Review. New MICV from Yugoslavia, p 170, Feb 76 (UNCLASSIFIED)
*Extracted material is UNCLASSIFIED.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Canadian Forces Photographic Interpretation Unit. Rept 2075-6/002/79, M980 APC Yugoslavia, 16 Apr 79
(CONFIDENTIAL)
Jane's Armour and Artillery 1981-82 (UNCLASSIFIED)
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