As Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression, Slovenia has supplied crucial military aid, including Cold War-era BOV-3 anti-aircraft vehicles.
A Country That No Longer Exists
These vehicles, originally manufactured in the former Yugoslavia, reflect a unique legacy in the region’s defense resources.
Yugoslavia, a socialist federation that once united several Balkan states, dissolved in the early 1990s due to internal political tensions. It separated into several countries including Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia.
Today, equipment from that era remains in the inventories of several successor states, including Slovenia, which has sent several types of these legacy vehicles to support Ukraine’s defense, according to WP.
In a mutually beneficial arrangement, Slovenia transfers outdated equipment like the BOV-3 to Ukraine while modernizing its own forces through agreements with Germany.
The BOV-3, first produced in Yugoslavia during the 1980s, has been delivered to Ukraine in its anti-aircraft variant, specifically designed to counter low-flying aircraft and drones. Slovenia’s latest delivery of six BOV-3 units is expected to play a valuable role in Ukraine’s air defenses.
Upgrading Its Own Military
The BOV-3 is a four-wheeled, 5.7-meter-long vehicle weighing just over 9 tons.
Equipped with a 20-mm M55 A4 M1 anti-aircraft cannon, a triple-barrel gun based on the Yugoslav Zastava M55 design, the BOV-3’s 60-round drum magazines and high elevation angles make it effective for close-range aerial defense.
The vehicle’s targeting system is enhanced by a Galileo J171 ballistic computer, which aids accuracy within a range of 1.5 to 2 kilometers.
Slovenia’s decision to send these vehicles is part of a broader strategy to support Ukraine while upgrading its own military.
Through similar transfers, Slovenia has previously sent M-55S tanks, M-80A infantry fighting vehicles, and M2A1 howitzers, maximizing the utility of Cold War stockpiles for Ukraine’s defense while benefiting from updated equipment from allies.
This support from smaller NATO countries illustrates how even limited resources from legacy arsenals can make a strategic difference on the ground in Ukraine.
