M-84

This article is about the Yugoslav tank. For other uses, see M84.

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M-84
File:M-84.jpg Serbian Army M-84 MBT
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Yugoslavia
Service history
In service	1985–
Used by	Serbia  Kuwait  Croatia  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Slovenia
Wars	Gulf war Yugoslav wars
Production history
No. built	~652
Specifications
Mass	45 tonnes (Jane's Fighting Vehicles)
Length	9.53 m
Width	3.57 m
Height	2.19 m
Crew	3 (Commander, gunner, driver)
Armor	5 lance grenades fumigating, composite alloy; including high-hardness steel, tungsten and plastic filler with ceramic component.
Main armament	125 mm 2A46 smoothbore gun
Secondary armament	7.62 mm M86 coaxial machine gun, 12.7 mm M87 anti-aircraft machine gun
Engine	diesel V-46TK 1,000 hp (750 kW)
Power/weight	24.10 hp/tonne
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	700 km
Maximum speed	68 km/h

The M-84 is a modern 2nd generation main battle tank manufactured by the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The M84 is in service with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatian Ground Army, Kuwaiti Army, Slovenian Armed Forces and Armed Forces of Serbia.

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-84AB1, 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, both in appearance and in capability.

Croatia developed a highly modernized prototype version of the M-84 under the designation M-95 Degman. The M-84D will be the series production version, essentially an M-95 Degman with minor changes and upgrades to which standard all Croatian M-84s and T-72s will be brought to.

About 150 M-84 tanks have been exported to Kuwait. About $500 million was earned from the sale in 1990-91, representing the Yugoslav military industry's most successful export at the time. The disintegration of Yugoslavia in 1991 prevented all further exports. Kuwait, in fact ordered 215 tanks but the whole number never came. Croatia is now in negotians with Kuwait to modernize their fleet to the M-84D standard and to produce and sell another 65 M-84D tanks. This represents an interesting information because Kuwait rejected America's proposal to replace their M-84s with the M1 Abrams.

The M-84A is armed with a 2A46 125 mm smooth bore cannon. The gas cylinder positioned in the middle of the barrel is shielded with a thermal coating that minimizes deformation of the barrel from high temperatures and ensures it is cooled at the same rate during rapid firing. The M84 uses an automatic loader, which enables it to sustain a firing rate of 8 rounds per minute.

The cannon's ammunition is stowed in underneath the turret (40 rounds) within the hull of the tank, which makes the M-84 very vulnerable. This weakness was exploited by Croatian soldiers in the Croatian War of Independence and Slovenian soldiers in the Ten-Day War, to the detriment of the YPA's tank crews.

Along with its primary armament, the M-84 is also armed with one 7.62 mm M86 coaxial machine gun, and one 12.7 mm M87 anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the commander's turret.

12 smoke grenades are positioned in front of the turret in banks of five and seven grenades. Thermal imaging and infrared guidance are positioned on the top-right side of the turret. The M-84 has a search light used in short-range combat situations.

The tank can ford 1.2 meters of water at any time, or up to 5 meters with a proper snorkel applied.

The M-84 Tank has excellent nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) prtection capabilities, and the engine filter is of very good quality.

The Armour of the M-84AB1 tank consists of cylindrical pad, high-hardness steel, titanium,Tungsten, aluminum, Nera, as well as modular Kontakt-5 reactive armour plates. Croatian M-95 Degman versions use improved armor protection with four layers of titanium, two layers of tungsten and three layers of ceramic armor giving protection of 592 mm against HEAT, APSF and Chemical attacks. In addition to this, the Degman is extensively covered with explosive reactive armour plating.

All versions of the M-84 have a crew of 3. The commander sits on the right side of the turret, the gunner on the left, and the driver sits centered at the front end of the vehicle. Like most Soviet derived vehicles, the M-84 series of tanks do not have a loader, due to the tank's autoloader.

The base M-84 engine is a 12-cylinder water-cooled V46-6 diesel engine, rated at 574 kW. The improved M-84A has a more modern and more powerful, V46-TK 735 kW (1,000 hp) engine. With maximum fuel capacity (1,200 Litres) the tank's range is 450 km, and with external fuel tanks, this range can be extended to 650 km.

The Croatian-made variants have enhanced power plants. The M-84A4 Sniper model has a German-built 820 kW (1,100 hp) engine, while the M-95 Degman has a 895 kW (1,200 hp) engine, the most powerful of all M-84 variants. Degman also has maximum fuel capacity (1,450 Litres).

In 2005, the Yugoipmort SDPR displayed its new MBT, M-84AB1 later M-2001, a largely modernized variant of the M-84AB tank. This new tank is equipped with an improved fire-control system with integrated day/night sight. The M84A1 gun was replaced with a similar but improved gun which, along with better control characteristics, enables easy and fast replacement of the cannon barrel in field conditions. The M-2001 tank is able to fire Anti-tank guided missiles with laser guidance through the barrel, which enables accurate engagement of enemy tanks up to 9 km.

The M-2001 is equipped with Non-explosive and non-energetic reactive armour (NERA) which offers protection against modern tandem cumulative warheads. Beside better armor, the new tank is equipped with modern electro-optical system for defense against wire and laser guided anti-tank missiles.

• M-2001 MBT
  M-2001 MBT
• M-84AB1 under testing in Kuwait.
  M-84AB1 under testing in Kuwait.

The M-84 in its very nature is nearly identical to the Soviet T-72, upon which it is based. However, Yugoslavia was not the only one to wish to license-produce a T-72 variant for its armed forces. Other former Eastern Bloc nations, as well as successor states to the Soviet Union, today produce tanks very similar to the M-84 and its offshoots.

The 3rd-generation Russian T-90 MBT is highly comparable to the Serbian M-84AB1. The majority of the M-84AB1's parts come directly from Russia, insuring a high degree of similarity and interchangeability.

The M-84AB comes with the new SUV-M-84 computerized fire-control system, including the DNNS-2 gunner's day/night sight, with independent stabilization in two planes and integral Laser range-finder. It also comes with the TNP-160 periscope, TNPA-65 auxiliary periscope, and DNKS-2 day/night commander's periscopes, as well as the TNPO-168V driver's periscope. Furthermore, the M-84AB is fitted with new gyrocompass, communication and intercom systems. This variant is in service in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti 35th Fatah (Martyr’s) Armoured Brigade, armed with several dozen M-84AB's, took part in Operation Desert Storm. During the fighting, only two M-84ABs were lost, but both were later recovered.

This variant is simply a M-84AB, fitted with land navigation equipment.

This is a M-84AB fitted with extensive communication equipments, land navigation equipment, and a generator for the command role.

This version includes the all-new SCS-84 day/night sight, DBR-84 ballistic computer and improved elevation and traverse sensors. Croatia purchased 20 of these models in 2003 from its domestic factory. These tanks have a different engine of German origin, rated at 1,100 hp instead of the 1,000 hp powerplant originally installed. A Racal communication suite also replaced the older communication set. As of 2008, entire Croatian M-84 tank fleet was upgraded to M-84A4 standard.

During the mid-1990s, an armoured recovery vehicle variant was created from the chassis of a M-84A tank, in the factory "14 October" in Kruševac. This vehicle was completed with the help of Polish experts, resulting in a vehicle similar to the WTZ-3. There was also a plan for a M-84ABI for Kuwait, but this idea failed. It is armed only with a M-87 12.7 mm machine-gun fitted to the commander’s hatch and 12 smoke grenade mortars (8 right and 4 left). Standard equipment includes: A TD-50 crane, front-mounted stabilizing dozer blade, main and secondary winches.

This is the latest upgrade package of the M-84 in the Serbian army, adding a new fire control system, new armour consisting of cylindrical pad, high-hardness steel, titanium, aluminum, and NERA as well as modular Kontakt-5 armour, new AT-11 Sniper and Agava-2 thermal sights, and the Shtora defense suite. The first time M-84AB1 (initially known as the M-2001) appeared in public was in July of 2004 at the Nikinci military base. It appeared to be very similar to the Russian T-90S, both in appearance and in capability. The differences reportedly consist of better armour on the T-90S, whereas the M-84AB1 has superior maneuverability. The M-84AB1 was also tested in Kuwait as part of an international tender, but its bid was not answered. Fuel and ammunition are located in armoured compartments with blow-out panels to protect the crew from the risk of the tank's own ammunition exploding if the tank is damaged. It can also survive multiple hits at relatively close ranges from ATGMs or other hits from tanks. New thermal imaging cameras were mounted for the commander and driver so that the tank can operate at night. The speed is 70 km/h and also the Engine is a 1,500 hp diesel, and it's 125 mm 2A46M smooth bore gun that can take out enemy for 800 m away.

This variant brings existing M-84 variants to the M-84D standard, equipped with a new 1,200 hp (895 Kw) engine and new RRAK ERA armour. The M-84D is equipped with a Rafael - Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station, and a new Omega ballistic computer (Slovenian Fotona-made digital ballistic computer). The M-84D has an electric cupola, which means it can fire at two targets at once. It has a new SDZ defence system, which has the capability to protect the crew from biological, chemical and nuclear strikes. The M-84D is also equipped with new thermal imaging that is able to see at night, through fog, in shade, and during a storm. A new Racal communication system was also installed, which now comes as standard on all new M84D and M84A4 tanks. Diehl, the German firm which supplies track for the Leopard 2 is also supplying tracks for the Croatian M84D and M84A4 tanks. The M84A4 and M84D have an operational range of 700 km and a maximum speed of 70 km/h.The M-84D has also a 15% faster auto loader, meaning 9 shells per minute instead of 8 shells per minute.^[1].The M-84D is a second version of the upgraded tanks.It has also chains on the back of the tank to protect the engine and has SLAT armour around the ammunition to prevent an ATG or a shell from hitting it. M-84D received few additional upgrades, Turret basket was added to provide extra space for extra ammunition and to provide increased armour protection. Turret basket has additional slat armour, which adds additional armour to the exterior of the tank. M-84D will also feature LIRD-4B - Laser irradiation detector and warner and LAHAT anti tank missiles. There is a potential for integration of Swiss 120mm compact gun developed by RUAG. This option is being now seriously considered as this would allow Croatia to use NATO 120m standard ammunition. 120mm RUAG compact gun is a preferred option over German Rheinmetall L44 120 mm cannon which is more expensive and would require German support, where as RUAG will provide technical knowhow and technology transfer to Đuro Đaković specijalna vozila d.d..

NOTE: M-95 Degman although similar in concept to M-84D development, is a separate development based on M-91 Vihor tank. Croatian Army had 2 M-91 prototypes and all necessary documentation for full serial production of M-91 Vihor tank. Only 2 M-91 Vihor tanks were ever built, and these were subsequently used for Croatian development of M-95 Degman tank. Therefore, M-95 Degman is a totally brand new tank based on M-91 Vihor and not on the M-84 series.

Several months prior to the Gulf war, Kuwait ordered 170 M-84ABs, 15 M-84ABI ARVs and 15 command M-84ABK tanks, from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in order to replace older British tanks. After the signature of the contract, four M-84A tanks were taken from Niš military camp and delivered, however the Iraqi Army soon captured them, during the occupation. Further deliveries were stopped for the duration of the invasion. The Kuwaiti 35th Fatah Armoured Brigade, is equipped with 70 M-84s in its "order of battle". The brigade did not directly take part in battles with Iraqi tanks because the M-84s were very similar to T-72s. The M-84 was however very effective against T-62s and T-55s, and it was very simple to operate, which wasn't the case with the US-made M1 Abrams.^{[citation needed]} Also, few of these tanks have been destroyed in friendly fire.

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In a recent new tank acquisition tender, involving the Polish PT-91 Twardy, US M1A2 Abrams, and two variants of the M-84, the Croatian M-95 Degman and the Serbian M-84 AB1, the Kuwaiti Army let the Polish, Serbian, and American bids expire, and only responded to the Croatian one.^[2] The Kuwaiti army currently has 146 M-84AB MBTs, 3 M-84ABK command tanks and 3 M-84ABN tanks, in its inventory.

• M-84AB in Desert Storm
  M-84AB in Desert Storm
• 
  A Kuwaiti M-84 main battle tank lays a smoke screen during a capabilities demonstration at a Kuwaiti outpost during Operation Desert Shield

During the Ten-Day War in Slovenia, М-84 tanks serving with the Yugoslav People's Army (YPA) units, were tasked with opening border/frontier posts and regaining control over all Yugoslav borders. Given the fact that Slovenia had no army at the time and no armoured units the YPA saw no need to deploy M-84 tanks at the frontier.

Nonetheless, M-84s saw some action; they were heavily used to break through truck barricades with varying degrees of success; most often, tanks tried to punch through, with little or no success.

The YPA lost some 20 M84s in these actions and also it has abandoned about 60 of them. Slovenia inherited all the M84A1s within its territory, once the ceasefire and Slovene independence, was agreed upon.

The M-84 saw action in the Battle of Vukovar, where the YPA, perhaps naïvely deployed large columns of Main battle tanks without the support of the infantry. Tanks and APC's found themselves extremely exposed, and in one single day of fighting the YPA suffered losses of over 100 armored vehicle, moust T-55's and about 20 M-84 and M-84A tanks. Croatian Army has captured about 60-70 M-84 MBTs from YPA and few from Krajina Army.

During the war in Bosnia, M-84s saw little action; the mainstay of all 3 warring parties was the, now-obsolete, T-55. At the beaginig of war, JNA units located in Bosnia and Herzegovina have passed all their equipment to the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS). VRS has got about 150-200 M-84s, while the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina has captured only two M-84 tanks. . A number of M-84 tanks were used during the Siege of Sarajevo, as well as smaller localized conflicts. The number of M-84 tanks destroyed during the Bosnian war is unknown.

During the Kosovo war, the М-84 was used by the 211th and 252nd armored Brigades of the Yugoslav Army (now Serbian Land Forces).

NATO had originally claimed to have destroyed around 300 of the Yugoslav Army's tanks (26%), but withdrew their claims after it was clearly visible that the army itself was untouched as it withdrew from Kosovo in an orderly fashion while passing NATO troops, along with documented proof to counter NATO claims. From 300 Yugoslav Army tanks at Kosovo, about 124 were destroyed by NATO airstrikes and KLA liberation forces. From that number, 49 are M-84 MBT's nad 75 are T-55's.

The army used clever tactics to conceal their forces throughout Serbia and place countless "dummy" targets in their midst ranging from tanks, camps, bridges, roads, anti-aircraft units and other potential targets. M-84s saw their most recent action during Preševo Valley conflict, when the Yugoslav army and Serbian special police forces fought against UCPMB separatists.

• An M-84 MBT of the Yugoslav Army, Kosovo 1999.
  An M-84 MBT of the Yugoslav Army, Kosovo 1999.
• Yugoslav Army M-84 tanks withdrawing from Kosovo.
  Yugoslav Army M-84 tanks withdrawing from Kosovo.
• Yugoslav Army M-84 tanks withdrawing from Kosovo.
  Yugoslav Army M-84 tanks withdrawing from Kosovo.
• The M-84s last combat operations. Behind this soldier is M-84A MBT of Yugoslav Army during fights in Preševo.
  The M-84s last combat operations. Behind this soldier is M-84A MBT of Yugoslav Army during fights in Preševo.

• 
  M-84 MBT of Serbian army in Požarevac military camp.
• 
  M-84 MBT of Serbian army.
• Serbian army M-84A with new camouflage.
  Serbian army M-84A with new camouflage.
• M-84 MBT of VRS.
  M-84 MBT of VRS.

•  Serbia 212; planed to be configured to M-2001^[3]
•  Kuwait - 149; Existing M-84 tanks are to be upgraded to M-84D standard, as well as 66 new ones procured.^[4]
•  Bosnia and Herzegovina - 84
•  Croatia - 75; Existing M-84 tanks are to be upgraded to M-84D standard, as well as at least 28 new M-95 procured as a long term policy.
•  Slovenia - 54; All tanks upgraded to M-84A4 standard.

• Lion of Babylon tank
• T-64
• T-72
• T-80
• T-84
• T-90
• PT-91 Twardy
• M-2001
• M-95 Degman

M1 Abrams Leopard 1

T-72 - M-84 - Vihor - M-95 Degman & M-2001

Wikimedia Commons has media related to M-84.

• Article on the M84-AB1, published in "Odbrana" (.pdf, in Serbian)
• M-84 at the FAS.
• [1] at the Naoružanje Paraćin (in Serbian)
• [2] Kuwait deal with Croatia to update M-84 to M-84D.