M-84
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the Yugoslav tank. For other uses, see M84.
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| M-84 | |
|---|---|
| General characteristics | |
| Crew | 3 |
| Length | 9.53 m |
| Width | 3.57 m |
| Height | 2.19 m |
| Weight | 44 tonnes |
| Armour and armament | |
| Armour | 560 mm |
| Main armament | 125mm 2A46 smoothbore gun |
| Secondary armament | 12.7mm M87 machine gun, 7.62mm M86 machine gun |
| Mobility | |
| Power plant | diesel V-46TK 1000 hp (745 kW) |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
| Road speed | 65 km/h |
| Power/weight | 22.72 hp/tonne |
| Range | 500-700km |
The M-84 main battle tank is a Yugoslav produced version of the Soviet T-72. Some improvements over the T-72 include a domestic fire-control system, improved composite armor, and a 1000-hp engine. The M-84 entered service with the Yugoslav People's Army in 1984. The improved M-84A entered service a few years later.
In the late 1980s, a project for a replacement tank called the Vihor (Whirlwind) was started. Unlike the M-84, the Vihor was not a copy of a Soviet tank, but a new design from scratch. However, due to the disintegration of Yugoslavia, the Vihor project was abandoned.
The latest Serbian version of the M-84 is the M-2001, unveiled in 2004. It features a new fire control system, Kontakt-5 ERA armor, AT-11 Sniper anti-tank missiles, Agava-2 thermal sight, and the Shtora defensive suite. It is very similar to the Russian T-90S.
Croatia developed an improved version of the M-84 under the designation M-95 Degman.
About 150 M-84 tanks have been exported to Kuwait. The disintegration of Yugoslavia prevented further exports.
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[edit] Variants
- M-84AB
- The M-84AB comes with the new SUV-M-84 computerised fire-control system, including DNNS-2 gunner's day and night sight, with independent stabilisation in two planes and integral LRF. It also comes with TNP-160 periscope, TNPA-65 auxiliary periscope, and DNKS-2 day and night commander's periscopes, and TNPO-168V driver's periscope. It is also fitted with new gyrocompass, communication and intercom systems. This variant is used by Kuwait.
- The Kuwaiti 35th Fatah (Martyr’s) Armoured Brigade that was armed with several dozen M-84AB took part in the Operation Desert Storm. During the fighting only two M-84AB were lost but they were later recovered.
- M-84ABN
- This is a M-84AB fitted with land navigation equipment.
- M-84ABK command tank
- This is a M-84AB fitted with extensive communication equipments, land navigation equipment and generator for the command role.
- M-84A4 Sniper
- This version includes the new SCS-84 day/night sight, DBR-84 ballistic computer and improved elevation and traverse sensors.
- M-84ABI armoured recovery vehicle
- This is an armoured recovery vehicle variant, fitted with specialised recovery equipment. It looks very similar to the Polish WZT-3 ARV.
- M-84AB1
- This is the latest upgrade package of the M-84, adding a new fire control system, Kontakt-5 ERA armor, the AT-11 Sniper, Agava-2 thermal sights, and the Shtora defense suite.
[edit] Operators of the M-84
Croatia (75)
Kuwait (150)
Bosnia (20) (As of March 2006 when Republika Srpska forces were merged into Armed forces of Bosnia and Hercegovina)
Serbia (238)
Slovenia (54)
[edit] See also
- PT-91 Twardy - Polish MBT based on the T-72.
[edit] External links
- Article on the M84-AB1, published in "Odbrana" (.pdf, in Serbian)
- M-84 at the FAS.
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