M-84AS

M-84AS
300px Serbian M-84AS
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Serbia
Production history
Designer	Military Technical Institute Belgrade
Designed	2004
Specifications
Weight	45 tonnes
Length	9.53 m
Width	3.73 m
Height	2.23 m
Crew	3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Armor	cylindrical pad, high-hardness steel, titanium, aluminium, tungsten, NERA plus modular Kontakt-5, Shtora
Main armament	125 mm 2A46M smoothbore gun and a 9M119 Svir
Secondary armament	7.62 mm M86 coaxial machine gun, 12.7 mm M87 anti-aircraft machine gun
Engine	diesel V-46TK 1,200 hp
Power/weight	26.7 hp/tonne
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	700 km
Speed	75 km/h

The M-84AS is a modernized version of the M-84 main battle tank produced by Yugoimport SDPR in Serbia. M-84AS is sometimes referred to as M-84AB1 and M-2001.

Design

The modernization gives an improved fire-control system with integrated day/night sight. The M84A1 gun is replaced with a similar but improved gun which, along with better control characteristics, enables easy and fast field replacement of the barrel. The M-84AS tank is able to fire anti-tank guided missiles with laser guidance through the barrel, which enables accurate engagement of enemy tanks up to 5 km.

The M-84AS is equipped with non-explosive and non-energetic reactive armour (NERA) which offers protection against modern tandem charge warheads on missiles. It is also equipped with the modern Shtora electro-optical system for defense against wire and laser guided anti-tank missiles. The new turret will provide protection against Kinetic Energy (RHAe) anti-tank guided missiles. Its new 9M119 Refleks is a laser beam riding guided anti-tank missile designed to penetrate 950 mm of RHA.

Production history

A commission is being drawn up to bring all 232 M-84 tanks currently in service to M-84AS standard. The project is expected to cost millions and span till the end of 2010. Kuwait has considered Serbia to be a frontrunner candidate for modernizing their M-84 tanks. In addition, there were an undisclosed amount of Arab countries that are interested in acquiring the tank.

Effectiveness

Apart from external differences to the M-84, it also has different internal structure and equipment, far surpassing the M-84AB in both capability and durability. Developed originally from the M-84, the M-84AS is more than just a quick tweak to bring it up to standard. Many improvements were adopted from what can be argued to be its sister tank, the T-90. With slight differences in armour and maneuverability; the T-90 is better armoured while the M-84AS is faster and more maneuverable. Considering the speed perspective, the M-84AS moves at 75 km/h on road while the T-90 moves at 60 km/h on road with off road speeds varying according to terrain. The armor on the T-90 is somewhat superior with thicker composites, NBC protection as well as having the option of Active Protection System and KMT mine sweeping systems. Aside from the propulsion and armor, the targeting system is equivalent.

See also

• M-84
• T-84
• PT-91
• T-90

External links

• Article on the M84-AB1, published in "Odbrana" (.pdf, in Serbian)
• Article on M-84 published by UK parliament commons
• Forecast international on tank engine
• Canadian assessment of ordnance

• Тank Т-90С
• T-80U and T-90 Trials 20.10.99