However, as a result of an order from the Ministry of Defense to add an armoured roof (the initial vehicles were still open-topped), series production could only begin in 1961.

[3] The coaxial machine gun is either the SGMT or the PKT with a combat load of 2,000 rounds.

These vehicles had a reduced combat load of 39 main gun rounds and received the NATO designator ASU-85 M1974.

Its primary role was light infantry support or assault, with limited anti-tank capability.

The Soviet Union exported the ASU-85 to only two other Warsaw Pact member states: East Germany and Poland.

[4] Airborne use of the ASU-85 became possible with the introduction of the Mi-6 and Mi-10 helicopters and high-capacity multi-chute and retro-rocket systems for fixed wing-drops.

In early 2016, Vietnam expressed interest in a Belarusian upgrade package for the ASU-85 that includes more powerful powerpack that increases road speed from 45 to 60 km/h (28 to 37 mph) and cruising range from 400 to 450 km (250 to 280 mi).