M60 recoilless gun
| M60 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Recoilless gun |
| Place of origin | Yugoslavia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See users |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Variants | M-60A |
| Specifications (M-60) | |
| Mass | 122 kg (269 lb) |
| Length | 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) |
| Crew | 5 |
| Shell | HE, HEAT, RAP |
| Caliber | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Elevation | -20° to +35° |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 4 rpm[1] |
| Muzzle velocity | 388 m/s (1,270 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range |
|
| Sights | Optical (PTDM60)[2] |
| References | [3] |
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 during the 1960s.
Description
The M60 is similar to the Soviet B-10, but longer, heavier, and with a superior effective range. It can be manhandled by its crew or towed by a light truck. It can also be broken down for transport by the crew or by mule.[4]
The M60 is mounted on a towing carriage with wheels for transport and firing. Aiming is done with an optical sight. The recoilless rifle resembles that of American counterparts. Ammunition for the M60 includes two fin-stabilized high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds. The first HEAT projectile for the M60 had an effective range of 500 meters. The second was an improved version that used a rocket booster to increase the effective range to 1,000 meters.[5]
The maximum range of the piece is 4,700 meters. Direct fire is limited to 1,500 meters against stationary targets and 1,000 meters against moving targets. The M60 is credited with a 220mm penetration of armor with its HEAT round.[6]
History
The M60 was used by virtually all pro and anti-Serb factions during the Bosnian War, including the Yugoslav Army, the Croatian Army, the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Army of Republika Srpska, the Croatian Defence Council, and the Serbian Army of Krajina.[7]
The M60 was also seen in the hands of Al-Nusra Front fighters during the Syrian Civil War.[8] According to Small Arms Survey, these guns (alongside other Yugoslav-made anti-tank weapons) were obtained by Jordan via Croatia and transferred to the Syrian rebels between November 2012 and February 2013. Questioned about these clandestine transfers, Croatian president Ivo Josipovic stated that: "what third countries or countries that we or someone else export weapons to do with [arms] afterward, we unfortunately cannot control".[9]
Users
- Bosnia and Herzegovina − M60A, produced locally[3]
- Croatia − Produced as the BT-82[3]
- Herzeg-Bosnia[7]
- Montenegro[3]
- North Macedonia[10]
- Republika Srpska[7]
- Serbia[3]
- Serbian Krajina[7]
- Syrian opposition[9]
- Yugoslavia[2]
References
Citations
- ^ Peace Stabilization Force (SFOR) 1998, p. 11-7.
- ^ a b Owen 1975, p. 194.
- ^ a b c d e Jones & Ness 2010, p. 485.
- ^ Owen 1975, pp. 194−195.
- ^ WEG, p. 62.
- ^ JIW, p. 747. Sources from post-Yugoslavian republics claim later rounds increased armor penetration to 300 - 400mm.
- ^ a b c d Peace Stabilization Force (SFOR) 1998, p. A-3.
- ^ Dettmer, Jamie (25 March 2013). "Syrian Jihadist Fighters Getting Western Weapons". Voice of America. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ a b Holtom, Pavesi & Rigual 2014, p. 119.
- ^ Krott, Rob (October 2003). "Macedonia's Weaponry: A New Nation Re-Arms and Fights". Small Arms Review. Vol. 7, no. 1.
Bibliography
- Holtom, Paul; Pavesi, Irene; Rigual, Christelle (2014). "Chapter 4. Trade Update: Transfers, Retransfers, and the ATT". In McDonald, Glenn; LeBrun, Emile; del Frate, Anna Alvazzi; Berman, Eric G.; Krause, Keith (eds.). Small Arms Survey 2014: Women and Guns (PDF). Cambridge University Press. pp. 109–131. ISBN 978-1-107-66177-6. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- Jones, Richard D; Ness, Leland S, eds. (2010). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2010−2011. Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2908-1.
- Owen, J. I. H., ed. (1975). Brassey's infantry weapons of the world 1950-1975: infantry weapons and combat aids in current use by the regular and reserve forces of all nations. New York: Bonanza. ISBN 978-0-517-24234-6.
- Peace Stabilization Force (SFOR) (1998). Bosnia: Country Handbook. DIANE Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7881-4798-2. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- (JIW) Hogg, Ian. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984-85, London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1984.
- (WEG) U.S. Army. Worldwide Equipment Guide 2001, Training and Doctrine Command, 2001.