Serbia showcases OT 4x4 APC at Partner 2025 with upgraded protection and range.

Serbia highlighted its OT 4x4 armored personnel carrier at the Partner 2025 defense expo in Belgrade, featuring a Cummins 6.7L diesel, Allison 3000 transmission, and protection up to 12.7 mm on most aspects with reinforced frontal armor.

According to information gathered by Army Recognition during Partner 2025 on September 26, 2025, Serbia showcased the OT 4x4 armored personnel carrier as a protected mobility solution for infantry sections operating across urban and rural terrain. The vehicle carried a manned cupola with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, a bank of smoke grenade launchers, and side-firing ports that let dismounts engage from under armor. The presentation signals renewal of Serbia’s wheeled armor, prioritizing reliability and survivability.
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The Serbian OT 4x4 is a 14-ton armored personnel carrier with seating for 11, armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, protected against 12.7 mm rounds with frontal resistance up to 20 mm, and capable of 110 km/h road speed, 1,100 km autonomy, and fording depths of 1.5 m (Picture source: Army Recognition Group).

The OT 4x4 is built around a Cummins ISB 6.7 diesel rated at 210 kW, about 285 horsepower, coupled to an Allison 3000 automatic transmission with seven ranges listed as 6 plus 1. The drivetrain sits firmly in a well-supported commercial-military sweet spot, which simplifies training and spares while giving the 14,000 kg platform a road speed of 110 km/h and an endurance of roughly 1,100 km on internal fuel. It is a true 4x4 with lockable differentials on all three axles, a choice that matters on wet cobbles, winter roads, and riverbanks where traction breaks down. The running gear uses 365/85 R20 tires and a heavy front winch to aid self-recovery when operating beyond engineering support.

Dimensions place the vehicle at 6,700 mm long, 2,600 mm wide, and 2,500 mm high, with 360 mm of ground clearance and a payload of 1,500 kg for a full squad plus kit. Mobility figures are credible for a compact armored carrier, with a 60 percent gradient, 45 percent side slope, and a fording depth of 1.5 meters without prior preparation. Wide side and rear doors and multiple top hatches support fast entry and exit, casualty extraction, and observation. The sloped glacis and raised commander position improve forward visibility, while the angular side armor eases maintenance access to drivetrain components.

Baseline ballistic shielding is specified to defeat 12.7 mm heavy machine gun fire on most aspects, with reinforced frontal armor designed to resist 20 mm impacts on the nose. The floor incorporates countermine features that mitigate blast effects from legacy mines and improvised devices. While the OT is not sold as a full MRAP, the attention to energy management underfoot and careful geometry of the lower hull deliver a tangible survivability step over older BOV family vehicles still circulating in the region.

The 12.7 mm heavy machine gun in the low-profile turret provides overmatch against light technicals, field fortifications, and low, slow air targets at practical ranges for a heavy caliber weapon. Six smoke dischargers give immediate screening during contact or withdrawal. Six lateral loopholes let the embarked squad lay suppressive fire without dismounting, a feature valued for convoy escort and checkpoint defense. The roof layout can accept alternate weapons such as a 7.62 mm machine gun or automatic grenade launcher, and leaves room for a lightweight remote station if a user wants under-armor gunner protection.

The OT 4x4 fills the space between internal security tasks and high-intensity support. Its compact footprint allows it to turn in tight village streets where larger 8x8s struggle, yet it retains the clearance and traction to run forest tracks and muddy approaches that define many Balkan routes. The combination of long endurance and moderate top speed lets battalion commanders disperse forces for border security, peace support patrols, and quick reaction duties with minimal refueling burden. Serbia is rebuilding land forces while keeping procurement budgets disciplined and export options open. Many potential buyers in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia want survivable mobility without the cost or sustainment tail of heavyweight MRAPs. By leaning on globally supported engines and transmissions and a proven turret concept, the OT 4x4 offers a credible, affordable answer that can be fielded quickly and upgraded in increments as missions evolve.