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

M-84
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Yugoslavia
Service history
In service	1985?
Used by	Serbia  Kuwait  Croatia  Slovenia
Wars	Gulf war Yugoslav wars
Production history
Number built	~652
Specifications
Weight	41 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 3rd Generation composite; including high-hardness steel, tungsten and plastic filler with ceramic component.
Primary 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
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 Kuwaiti Army, Croatian Army, Military of Slovenia, Bosnian Army and the Serbian Army.

Development and production

During the 1970's, the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) decided to initiate its own indigenous tank production. Due primarily to workable costs and simple design specifications, as well as to the lack of experience in designing and producing tanks from scratch, the decision was made to take the highly successful and then-advanced Soviet T-72 tank and produce a Yugoslavian version of it as the army's future main battle tank. The license for production of the T-72 was bought from the USSR in late 1979, and under codename "Kapela", tank production was started at the Đuro Đaković factory in Croatia.

The first prototype of the M-84 MBT rolled out in 1983, and subsequent serial production commenced in 1984. The M-84 saw significant improvements over its parent in many respects. Upgraded Armour (490mm of protection from HEAT, APSDF and Chemical rounds vs. the T-72's 260 mm), an advanced optronic and communication suite from Ericcson, including tank sight, thermal imaging and night fighting capability, passive and active sensors, as well as a stronger engine.

The M-84A, a further upgrade of the M-84, was first publicly seen at the Victory parade on the 9th of May, 1987 in Belgrade. Aside from the MBT versions of the M-84, additional specialized versions were developed, including the М-84K (command tank), М-84AB (export version), М-84ABК (export command tank), М-84ABN (export tank with additional navigation/communication equipment) and the М-84AI (armored recovery vehicle).

According to Jane’s Tanks and Combat Vehicles Recognition Guide (2nd edition), from 1992 to 2000, there was a total of 652 М-84s, in all versions, produced for the armies of Yugoslavia and Kuwait.

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 a automatic loader, which enables it to sustain a firing rate of 8 rounds per minute.

The cannon's ammunition is stowed in the turret (50 round) and as well as underneath the turret (additional 50 rounds) within the hull of the tank, which makes the M-84 very vulnerable if hit at the back of the turret. 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.

Equipment

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.

Engine

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.

Modernization

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-84AB1 under testing in Kuwait.

Similar tanks

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 Polish PT-91 Twardy is in evolution and in concept a very similar design to the Croatian M-95 Degman. Both utilize extensive explosive-reactive armour in addition to a steel-composite main armour, an equally powerful engine, and tracks borrowed from the German Leopard 2.

Croatian M-84A4 tank

Croatian made M-84A4 at Đuro Đakovic

Variants

M-84AB,  Yugoslavia

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.

M-84ABN,  Yugoslavia

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

M-84ABK command tank,  Yugoslavia

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

=M-84A4 Sniper,

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=== 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.

M-84AI armoured recovery vehicle,  Yugoslavia

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.

M-84AB1 later M-2001,  Serbia

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.

=M-95 Degman,

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=== This variant brings existing M-84 variants to the M-95 Degman standard, equipped with a new 1,200 hp (895 Kw) engine and new RRAK ERA armour. The M-95 (also known as the M-84D) is equipped with a Rafael remote-operated machine gun, and a new Omega ballistic computer (a Fontana-made digital ballistic computer). The M-95 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-95 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.

Combat service

Desert Storm

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. Also, few of these tanks have been destroyed in friendly fire. 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, thereby solidifying further procurement of Croatian-made tank technology.^[1] 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

Yugoslav wars

Slovenia

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.

JNA M-84 MBT during first operations in Slovenia.

JNA M-84 crusing truck barricade.

Slovenian Army M-84 MBT.

Croatia

The M84 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, among them, 20 or more M84 and M84A1 tanks. Croatian Army has captured about 60-70 M-84 MBTs from YPA and few from Krajna Army.

During Operation Storm in 1995, Croatian forces captured many M-84 tank's from the YPA and Krajina army. The Republic of Serbian Krajina Army had some 30 M-84 in its arsenal, most of which were either captured or destroyed.

Croatian M-84A1s on parade.

Two JNA M-84 MBTs destroyed by Croats.

Croatian M-84 tanks advancing towards the Knin area.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

During the war in Bosnia, M-84s saw little action; the mainstay of all 3 warring parties was the, now-obsolete, T-55. The Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) had some 85 M-84s, with the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, having only 2 samples of its own. A number of M-84 tanks were used during the Siege of Sarajevo, as well as smaller localized conflicts. The number of M84 tanks destroyed during the Bosnian war is unknown.

M-84 MBT of VRS.

Kosovo War and Preševo Valley conflict

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.

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.	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.

Gallery

Serbian Army M-84 MBT.	M-84 MBT of Serbian army in Požarevac military camp.	M-84 MBT of Serbian army.	Serbian army M-84A with new camouflage.
thumb|center M-84 MBTs of Serbian Army on Pasuljanske livade during Diplomac 2007 exercise.

Operators of the M-84

•  Serbia 212; planed to be configured to M-2001 ^[2]
•  Kuwait - 149; Existing M-84 tanks are to be upgraded to M-84D standard, as well as 66 new ones procured. ^[3]
•  Bosnia and Herzegovina - 84
•  Croatia - 78; Existing M-84 tanks are to be upgraded to M-84D standard, as well as at least 26 new ones procured.
•  Slovenia - 54; All tanks lightly upgraded from original standards.

Related content

Related development

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

Comparable AFV

M1 Abrams Leopard 1

Designation sequence

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

References

External links

• Article on the M84-AB1, published in "Odbrana" (.pdf, in Serbian)
• M-84 at the FAS.
• http://naoruzanje.paracin.co.yu/m84.html at the Naoružanje Paraćin (in Serbian)
• http://www.nacional.hr/en/articles/view/33530/18/ Kuwait deal with Croatia to update M-84 to M-84D.