The OT-90 is basically the Russian-designed BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle, which was also built under licence in Czechoslovakia, with its complete two-man turret removed and replaced by the OT-64C (1) (8 × 8) armoured personnel carrier one-person manually operated turret armed with a 14.5 mm KPVT and a 7.62 mm PKVT machine gun.

From 1972 to 1988, the plant in Dubnia supplied a total of 5,100 BMP-1 vehicles to the former USSR. This amounted to around 70 per cent of total production in Czechoslovakia during this period.

The reason some BMP-1s were converted to the OT-90 configuration was due to the fact that the BMP-1 was thought to be Tank Category (because of its 73 mm gun barrel) under the Conventional Forces Europe (CFE) treaty. Large scale conversions were subsequently cancelled and they are to be phased out of service. Some have been used by former Czech units operating as part of United Nations forces.

The OT-90M1 has the OU-3GA2 IR searchlight of the BMP-1 on its turret roof, while OT-90M2 also has ID spot and extra armour.

This is a modernised OT-90 with automatic fire-detection system, improved armour and a new modular turret. The turret is armed with a 14.5 mm KPVT machine gun, 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and a 9P135M1 (Spigot) ATGW launcher.

BRM-1K is the Russian BRM-1 reconnaissance vehicle.

BVP-1K is the former Czech designation for the commander's version of the Russian BMP-1K vehicle.

Boure III is the former Czech psychological warfare version of the BMP-1 with a loudspeaker system installed.

DTP-90 is a repair version of the OT-90 APC.

MP-31 is an air defence command version of the Russian BMP-1KShM command post vehicle.

MU-90 is a minelaying version of the OT-90 APC but has no turret, the space being covered by a steel sheet.

SVO is a mineclearing version of the BMP-1 with the turret removed and fitted with a Hedgehog-type launcher in the rear troop compartment that fires to the front of the vehicle.

VPV is a crane-equipped recovery variant of the BMP-1. The turret and troop compartment roof hatches have been removed and a powered crane is mounted on the troop compartment roof.

VP-90 is a reconnaissance version of the OT-90 with an OT-64 one-man manually operated turret armed with 14.5 mm and 7.62 mm MGs.

This is based on the Russian BMP-1 with modified hatches and a passive sight over the commander's hatch to the immediate rear of the driver's position.

The complete BMP-1 turret, armed with 73 mm gun, 7.62 mm machine gun and six 81 mm smoke grenade launchers at the turret rear, are retained. The full meaning of the BPzV designation is the Bojove pruzkumne Vozidlo. The armament is the same as the original BMP-1 but additional ammunition is carried, for example 76 × 73 mm, 3,500 × 7.62 mm and seven Kolomna KBM 9K11 Malyutka (AT-3 'Sagger') missiles.

The crew is armed with five Vz.58V automatic rifles, four RPG-75 rocket launchers and 12 grenades. The vehicle has a maximum combat weight of 13.8 tonnes.

Like the Russian BRM-1K, the BPzV is fitted with a battlefield surveillance radar type PSNR-5K, which is mounted on a support on the right side of the turret. Mounted on the left side of the turret is an NNP-21 observation device.

On the left and right side of the hull are laser warning receivers. The original side skirts are replaced by the more recent BMP-2 type side skirts.

In addition, the BPzV has fewer firing ports and a telescopic antenna at the left rear, which lays horizontally across the rear of the hull roof when not required.

This is based on a stretched BMP chassis with seven road wheels either side and full details are given in a separate entry. This version is designated the BVP-1PPK Snezka. It is now in service with the Czech Republic Army.

This is based on a modified BMP-2 chassis and fitted with a mast-mounted telescopic sensor pod that, when not required, is retracted into the rear part of the turret under full armour protection. Details of this vehicle are given in a separate entry. This is only in service with the Czech Republic.

This has a raised superstructure that extends to the rear of the hull and is unarmed. It retains its amphibious capability and is fitted with an NBC system and night vision equipment. It is called ambulance sanitni (also known as AMB-1) and has a raised troop compartment like OT-R5. OT-90 ZDR (zdravodny) is a medical evacuation vehicle that is a BMP-1 without turret and firing ports welded shut.

This has been developed by the VOP 026 facility of the Czech Republic and is a BMP-1 series vehicle rebuilt for use in the maintenance role.

To the rear of the commander and driver positions on the left side, a new superstructure has been fitted which extends to the rear of the hull.

On top of the superstructure on the left side is a cupola with an externally mounted 7.62 mm machine gun and on the right side at the rear are two roof hatches that open forwards. The normal means of entry and exit is via two doors in the hull rear, which are identical to those of the standard BMP-1.

Mounted on top of the hull, on the left side, is a crane which can lift a maximum load of 1,000 kg and specialised equipment carried includes a portable generator, welding equipment, tow bars, workbenches and tools.

The DTP-90M is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by its tracks and standard equipment includes an NBC system and a fire detection and suppression system.

Three slightly different models of the DTP-90M are available to support different vehicles, first for the T-72, BMP-1, BMP-2 and OT-90, second for the T-55AM2, BMP-1, BMP-2 and OT-90 and third for the BMP-1 and BMP-2.

This has been developed by VOP 026 of the Czech Republic and is a BMP-1 series vehicle rebuilt for use in the command post role.

To the rear of the commander and driver positions on the left side a new raised superstructure has been added, with a cupola on the left side on which is mounted a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun. The standard two BMP-1 entry doors are retained in the hull rear.

A complete communications system is installed and standard equipment includes an NBC system with air conditioning as an option. When deployed in the static role, additional antennas can be quickly erected. The vehicle retains its amphibious capabilities.

This vehicle is also referred to as the Becva. There are two improved versions called OT-R5M and OT-R5M1.

This under-armour 120 mm self-propelled mortar is based on a lengthened BMP-1 chassis and details are given in a separate entry. Only 12 of these have been built so far, six for the Czech Republic and six for Slovakia. There has been no production of this vehicle for some years.

This is a BMP-1 with twin 53/59 30 mm AAGs mounted on the roof, and is normally based on an armoured Tatra 6 × 6 chassis.

The VOP 026 facility in the Czech Republic has now completed upgrading a large number of ex-East German Army BMP-1 infantry combat vehicles for the Swedish Army. Additional details of this programme are given in a separate entry. The Swedish designation of the BMP-1 is the Pbv 501.

This has been developed by VOP 26 as a private venture and was first shown in 1999. It is essentially a modernised BMP-1 chassis fitted with a brand new German Rheinmetall Landsysteme (previously KUKA) E8 one-person turret, armed with the ATK Gun Systems Company 30 mm Bushmaster II cannon and 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. Mounted either side of the turret are banks of electrically operated smoke grenade launchers.

The 30 mm cannon is provided with 200 rounds of ready use ammunition and is fully stabilised in both planes. The weapon is laid onto the target using a passive day/night sight with a computerised fire-control system also installed.

Turret traverse and weapon elevation is all electric with manual controls for emergency use. Turret traverse is 360° with weapon elevation from -10 to +45°.

A 60 mm mortar is installed which can, if required, be fired from the vehicle.

For improved crew comfort an independent crew heating system is fitted, sharp edges have been removed or covered, the troop compartment floor has been levelled, thermal insulation provided and anti-skid material provided for the hull.

To enable the ride characteristics to be improved, new shock-absorbers have been fitted and the existing torsion bars replaced.

To allow the vehicle to be driven on public roads, new external lights are fitted as well as indicators. The brakes have been modernised, rear-view mirrors fitted and new tracks with rubber pads installed.

New communications equipment is fitted, as is a satellite land navigation system.

For improved battlefield survivability, additional passive armour has been provided to some parts of the hull and improved protection is provided against mines.

In addition, PCO laser detectors are fitted at each corner of the vehicle, an explosion detection and suppression system is fitted and the diesel fuel tanks are filled with a special anti-detonation device. New thermal camouflage paint is also provided.

The crew consists of three: commander, gunner and driver with seats for six infantry in the rear. The normal BMP-1 has four roof hatches over the rear but the BVP-1 MA has only two roof hatches. As of mid-2007 the BVP-1 MA upgraded ICV remained at the prototype stage.

The Czech Republic has completed the prototype of a BMP-1 infantry combat vehicle upgraded in a number of areas to meet the possible future requirements of the Czech Army.

New passive night vision devices have been installed as has a laser range-finder, land navigation system and thermal meters.

For improved safety, the tracks have now been fitted with rubber pads and new rear view driving mirrors and anti-slip devices have been installed.

Mounted one either side above the rear troop compartment is a Singapore Technologies Kinetics 40 AGL 40 mm automatic grenade launcher and a Singapore Technologies Kinetics 50MG 12.7 mm machine gun. Both of these weapons have been in volume production for some years in Singapore for vehicle-mounted and infantry applications.

The 73 mm 2A28 low-pressure gun has been retained but the latest types of fin-stabilised ammunition can now be fired, including OG-15VM high explosive, OG-15BGI with improved fragmentation and PG-15VNT with a tandem HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead. It is claimed that the latter will penetrate 700 mm of conventional steel armour protected by explosive reactive armour (ERA).

The launcher rail for the Russian 9K11 Malyutka (AT-3 'Sagger') wire-guided anti-tank missile (ATGM) system is retained above the 73 mm gun, but the latest version of the missile is now used, which is fitted with a tandem HEAT warhead to defeat targets fitted with ERA.

The battlefield survivability of the BMP-1 can be further improved by the installation of additional passive armour protection of the Kevlar and ceramic type.

The electrically operated smoke grenade launcher system has been improved and new special camouflage paint has been applied to the hull and turret.

As of mid-2007 the BVP-1 upgrade remained at the prototype stage.

To work with its new Zuzana 155 mm/45 calibre self-propelled (8 × 8) artillery systems, Slovakia has developed special reconnaissance models based on the BMP chassis, as well as dedicated command post models based on the Tatrapan (6 × 6) chassis.

The BMP-based system is called the DPK (Delostrelecky Prieskunmny Komplet) and is fitted with extensive communications equipment and a sensor package, which includes day/night devices, a laser range-finder and acoustic sensors.