The M-84 is based on the Soviet T-72M, the export variant of T-72A, brought to T-72M1 standard,[1] with many improvements, including a domestic fire-control system that the T-72M lacked, improved composite armor, and a 1,000-hp engine.[2] The M-84 entered service with the Yugoslav People's Army in 1984, and the improved M-84A version entered service a few years later, the M-84A housing an upgraded engine.[1] Other variants were introduced later, most being modernization packages.
Production in Yugoslavia
About 240 Yugoslav factories directly participated in the production of the M-84, and about 1,000 others participated indirectly.[3] The manufacturer was chosen by Josip Broz Tito to be the Đuro Đaković in Croatia, over other proposed manufacturers in Serbia: Goša FOM Smederevska Palanka and Mašinska Industrija Niš, at that time the biggest producers of locomotives and wagons in Yugoslavia.[4] The biggest manufacturers directly involved in production of the M84 main battle tank in SFR Yugoslavia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia among former republics were:
Military Technical Institute, Belgrade – primary designer of tanks, designer and developer of reactive armor and other armor, materials like high quality steel for armor, tank ammunition, tank engines, modernization suits and designer of tank crew training and simulation system – TOPOT[5]
Sloboda, Čačak – ammunition[7] and smoke discharge units
PPT Namenska, Trstenik – hydraulics, transmission parts and turret movement system[8]
Teleoptik-žiroskopi, Zemun – optics, gyroscopes and gyroscopic devices and Fire-control system with software, electronics and electronic elements of active protection system[9]
Imtel komunikacije,[19] Belgrade – UORZ – Radar warning and direction finding system – part of protection system
Zastava Arms, Kragujevac – machine-guns 12.7mm and coaxial 7.62mm
The M-84ASA, a Serbian version of the M-84, was unveiled in 2004. It has 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 in appearance and in capability. The latest prototype version from Serbia, M-84AS1, unveiled in 2017, has a new fire control system with domestic laser and radar warning system, RCWS 12.7mm and soft active protection suite with a new version of domestic explosive reactive armor (ERA). A later prototype of the same tank unveiled in 2020 has better-shaped ERA M19 reactive armour, some new situational awareness equipment, and new ammunition.[20]
Exports
About 150 M-84 tanks were exported to Kuwait. The disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s prevented further exports of the M-84.[2] Sales of the M84 including negotiations of contracts with foreign partners were done through Yugoimport SDPR, at that time acting as a Yugoslav state agency. Production and delivery was performed by Đuro Đaković.
Design
Armament
The M-84A is armed with a 125mm smoothbore cannon derived from the Soviet 2A46. The fume extractor 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 M-84 uses an automatic loader, which enables it to sustain a firing rate of 8 rounds per minute.
The cannon's 40 rounds of ammunition are stowed in the hull of the tank beneath the turret. This concept was inherited from the original Soviet design for the T-72, and is both a strength and weakness of the tank. The lower hull beneath the turret is one of the least likely place to be hit and penetrated by antitank rounds or mines, but in the event of penetration and secondary detonation of the ammunition the crew and tank are unlikely to survive the resulting catastrophic explosion.
Along with its primary armament, the M-84 is also armed with one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and one 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun mounted on the commander's turret.
All versions of the M-84 have a crew of three. The commander sits on the right side of the turret, the gunner on the left, and the driver sits centrally at the front of the vehicle. Like most Soviet-derived vehicles, the M-84 series of tanks have an autoloader rather than a manual loader.
Protection
The basic tank has a cast steel turret with maximal thickness of 410mm; later, in the M-84A version, a segment made out of a non-metal, most likely rubber and boron carbide (see Chobham armour), was sandwiched between layers of steel. The glacis uses laminate armor, glass in plastic resin between two steel plates; in the A version a 16mm steel plate was welded on the glacis. Total armor protection ranges between 550mm-650mm for the glacis and 560mm-700mm for the turret. During the wars in Yugoslavia the M-84's frontal armor proved very effective against any type of AT threat.[citation needed] Side or rear hits often result in a catastrophic ammo explosion.
Twelve smoke grenades are positioned in front of the turret in banks of five and seven grenades. Night vision and gunner's sights are positioned on the top-right side of the turret. The M-84 has a searchlight used in short-range combat situations.
The M-84 tank has nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection capabilities.
Mobility
The base M-84 engine is a 12-cylinder water-cooled V46-6 diesel engine, rated at 574 kW (780 hp). The improved M-84A has a more powerful, V46-TK 735kW (1,000 hp) engine. With maximum fuel load of 1,200 litres the tank's range is 450km, extendable to 650km, with external fuel tanks.
The Croatian-made variants have enhanced power plants. The M-84A4 Sniper model has a German-built 820kW (1,100hp) engine, while the M-84D has an 895kW (1,200hp) engine, the most powerful of all M-84 variants. The M-84D also has greater fuel capacity (1,450 litres).
The tank can ford 1.2 meters of water, increasing to 5 meters with a snorkel.
Variants
M-84 (Yugoslavia) – The initial version based on the Soviet T-72M and produced between 1984 and 1987. Less than 150 units manufactured
M-84A (Yugoslavia) – An upgraded version similar to the Soviet T-72M1 but with a significantly more powerful engine and additional armour plating. It 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 rangefinder. 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. Produced between 1988 and 1991, closely analogous to the M-84AB. Roughly 450 vehicles manufactured including the M-84AB
M-84AB (Yugoslavia) – Kuwaiti version of the M-84A. The M-84AB is fitted with new communication and intercom systems. The Kuwaiti 35th Ash-Shahid (Martyr's) Armoured Brigade, armed with several dozen M-84ABs, took part in Operation Desert Storm. During the fighting two M-84ABs were lost, but both were later recovered. Kuwait originally ordered over 200 tanks, but received only 150 before the break-up of Yugoslavia and the end of tank production. All instruments marked in English and Arabic
M-84ABN (Yugoslavia) – The M-84AB fitted with land navigation equipment
M-84AK / ABK Command Tank (Yugoslavia) – M-84AB version fitted with extensive communication equipment, land navigation equipment, and a generator for the command role
M-91 "Vihor" ("whirlwind") (Yugoslavia) – Further development of the M-84, with the main focus being improving the tank's firepower by installing modern optics and developing improved APFSDS shells. The turret was also redesigned, and some sources say that a new 1200 HP engine was planned. At least 2 prototypes were made before the outbreak of the civil war
M-84A4 Sniper (Croatia) – This version includes the all-new SCS-84 day/night sight, DBR-84 ballistic computer, improved elevation and traverse sensors, and EFCS-3 fire control system.[1] Croatia purchased around 40 of these models from 1996 till 2003 from its domestic factory. It is rumored, but not officially confirmed, that these tanks have a different engine of German origin, rated at 1,100hp instead of the 1,000hp engine originally installed. A Racal communication suite replaced the older communication set. By 2008 the entire Croatian M-84 tank fleet had been upgraded to the M-84A4 standard
M-84AI armoured recovery vehicle (Yugoslavia and Poland) – During the mid-1990s Kuwait requested an armoured recovery vehicle variant of the M-84A tank as part of the deal to buy a large batch of M-84A tanks. The vehicle had to be developed in very short time so it was decided that it should be based on an already working foreign vehicle rather than designed and built independently. The Polish WZT-3 license was bought and Polish parts were used in the M-84AI project completed in the "14 October" factory in Kruševac. There was also a plan for a M-84ABI for Kuwait, but this idea failed. It is armed only with a 12.7mm 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-84AS (Serbia) – Upgrade package of the M-84A. Adding a new fire control system, new armor consisting of cylindrical pad, high-hardness steel, titanium, aluminum, and NERA as well as modular Kontakt-5 armor, new AT-11 Sniper and Agava-2 thermal sights, and the Shtora defense suite. The first public appearance of the M-84AS was in July 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-84AS has superior maneuverability. The M-84AS was also tested by the Kuwaiti Army as part of an international tender. It can 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. It is fitted with the 125mm 2A46M smooth-bore gun and a 1,200hp diesel engine giving a maximum speed of 72km/h. A number of undisclosed Arab countries were interested in purchasing the M-84AS[citation needed]
M-84AS1 (Serbia) – Latest Serbian variant in prototype stage. Adds additional armour, including explosive reactive armour, integrated day-night sighting system with thermal imager, command information system, a soft-kill active protection system, new radio system, Remote-controlled Weapons Station with 12.7mm machine gun, and CBRN protection equipment.[21] Additionally, a domestic-developed 1200 HP engine was proposed, but was not accepted yet
M-84D (Croatia) – This variant brings existing M-84 variants to the M-84D standard, equipped with a new 1,200hp (895kW) engine and new RRAK ERA armour. The M-84D is equipped with a Rafael Defense System – Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station, and a new Omega ballistic computer (Slovenian Fotona-made digital ballistic computer). M-84A4 and M-84D have an operational range of 700km and a maximum speed of 65km/h. The M-84D has also a 15% faster auto loader, enabling a rate of fire of 9, rather than 8, rounds per minute.[22] 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 armor 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 armor protection. Turret basket has additional slat armor, which adds additional armor to the exterior of the tank. M84D and M84A4 are to receive 12.7mm Kongsberg Protector Remote Weapon Stations which are to be integrated on to all M84D and M84A4 tanks. 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 120mm cannon which is more expensive and would require German support, whereas RUAG will provide technical know how and technology transfer to Đuro Đaković specijalna vozila d.d. Only two Croatian tanks have been upgraded to this standard due to budgetary restraints
Before the Persian Gulf War, Kuwait ordered 170 M-84ABs, 15 M-84ABI ARVs and 15 M-84ABK command tanks, from Yugoslavia. Four M-84A tanks were delivered; however, the Iraqi Army soon captured them after the occupation. Further deliveries were stopped for the duration of the war. The Kuwaiti 35th Al-Shaheed Armored Brigade was equipped with 70 M-84s.[2] During the retaking of the country, the 35th Brigade did not directly take part in battles with Iraqi tanks because of the M-84's similarity to Iraqi T-72 or Asad Babils. The M-84 was however very effective against T-62s and T-55s but some unconfirmed reports claim that a few of them were damaged, but recovered and repaired.
During the Ten-Day War, the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) attempted to regain control over border crossings, airports and other strategic positions in Slovenia. The Slovenian Territorial Defence had no armoured units of its own and JNA M-84s were commonly used to break through barricades. Slovenia inherited all the M-84s within its territory, once the ceasefire and Slovenia's independence was accepted.[citation needed]
Croatia
The M-84 saw action in the Battle of Vukovar, where the JNA employed tanks against Croatian National Guardsmen (ZNG). Although the JNA ultimately prevailed, it's estimated they've lost around 100 tanks, including 20 M-84s to minefields and ambushes by ZNG anti-tank teams. Four of these M-84 tanks were knocked out during an ambush on Trpinjska Road, though entrenched JNA M-84s were successful in defeating a Croatian counteroffensive, knocking out three T-55 tanks.[2]
In the mountainous terrain of the Bosnian theater, the limited main gun elevation/depression proved to be a problem, while the use of Pakistani-supplied HJ-8 anti-tank guided missiles by Bosnian forces proved to be a threat. While the frontal armor of the M-84 was reportedly never penetrated during the conflict, around 40 M-84s were lost by all sides (though some were repairable) at the end of the conflict, mostly from hits at the thinner lower-side armor or anti-tank mines penetrating the belly armor, causing the ammuntion stored in the crew compartment to detonate, often resulting in turrets popping off.[2]
The Slovenian Army had 40 M-84 tanks in 2011.[27] As of 2024, 14 remain operational for training-only while 32 remain in storage.[28] All tanks were upgraded to the M-84A4 Sniper variant. A German offer of sending German-made vehicles in exchange of M-84A4s for Ukraine fell through[2]
14 are used by 45th center of tracked combat vehicles in Pivka[29]
The Yugoslav People's Army operated about 450 M-84s in M-84 and M-84A versions. The M-84 was intended to fully replace the T-34, M4 Sherman and M47 Patton tanks then held in storage as well as some of the older T-55 units. Most JNA tanks were passed to the successor state – FR Yugoslavia, while a number was also captured by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia in the war.
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