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

M-84AS
Serbian M-84AS
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Serbia
Service history
Used by	Serbia
Production history
Designer	Military Technical Institute
Designed	2004
Manufacturer	Yugoimport SDPR
No. built	~5
Specifications
Mass	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
Maximum speed	75 km/h

Design

The modernization gives an improved fire-control system with integrated day/night sight.[1] 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.[2]^{[self-published source?]}[3]

The M-84AS is equipped with imported Shtora-1 and Kontakt-5 that both enhance survivability of a tank. Kontakt-5 is an explosive reactive armor package (ERA) which offers improved protection against modern tandem charge warheads and kinetic energy penetrators compared to the earlier Kontakt-1.[4] It is also equipped with the modern Shtora electro-optical system for defense against wire and laser guided anti-tank missiles.[5] 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 900 mm of RHA. Since this version has not entered serial production for Serbian army new more modern version M-84AS1[6] is developed that will enter serial production.

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-90S. With slight differences in armour and maneuverability; the T-90S 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-90S moves at 60 km/h on road with off-road speeds varying according to terrain. The armor on the T-90S is somewhat superior with thicker composites, NBC protection as well as having the option of Active Protection System and KMT mine sweeping systems.[7][8] Aside from the propulsion and armor, the targeting system is equivalent.

See also

• M-84
• M-84AS1
• M-84D

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to M-84AS.

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

На других языках

[de] M-84AS

[ru] M2001