Duro M-84A
Notes: Starting
with a license-produced version of the T-72 as a base (a vehicle they called the
M-84), the Yugoslavians improved upon the design and developed the M-84A. This
version still serves with the Serbian Army. The M-84 has a better fire control
system than the basic T-72 (comparable to the T-72B), but loses a degree of
elevation for the main gun in the bargain (+13 degrees instead of the normal +14
degrees). The armor package is also a little better, and fuel capacity is
slightly increased by use of a smaller engine. This smaller engine is also more
powerful, developing 1000 horsepower, though with a semi-automatic transmission.
Like the T-72, the M-84A is often found fitted with reactive armor on the
TF, TS, HF, and HS. In addition to the various former Yugoslavian republics, the
M-84A is used by Kuwait, Libya, and Syria.
The M-84AB -- Export Versions
The M-84AB was
produced especially for Kuwait, and they ordered about 200 of them for Kuwait,
The M-84AB is also available for export in general. Some 15 of them were on hand
for Operation Desert Storm, having been delivered to the remnants of the Kuwaiti
Army in Saudi Arabia. They took part in the ground offensive; some were among
the number of first vehicles to enter Kuwait City. (A few were also captured by
Iraq, and used by her troops, though they're believed to have been destroyed
during Desert Storm.) They differ from the standard M-84A in that they have more
sophisticated fire control computers, better gun stabilization, and different,
longer-range, American-supplied radios.
The M-84ABK is a command tank version of the M-84AB; this version has the
additional features of a 5kW APU, two extra long range radios (one data
capable), and one extra short-range radio.
It is equipped with inertial navigation.
The M-84AB1 is
an improved version of the M-84AB, and it competed when the Kuwaitis were
looking for an improved main battle tank -- it lost this competition to the
Croatian M-95 Degman. In
capabilities, and armor suite, the M-84AB1 is similar in capabilities as the
Russian T-90, including the use of Kontakt-5 ERA on the HS, TS, HF, and TF, as
well as the front third of the turret roof.
(Most sources say, however, that the entire armor suite is not equal to
the T-90.) They also have a Shtora passive countermeasures system, and a mine
detector in their front hulls. The
M-84AB1 has modern composite armor, using a sandwich (the exact composition
unknown) using titanium, steel, aluminum, and ceramic.
The M-84AB1 is NBC sealed with overpressure, and a vehicular NBC backup.
Armament
consists of a Serbian copy of the latest Russian 125mm gun, including the
capability to launch AT-11 Sniper ATGMs.
The sights allow the AT-11 the ability to target low-flying helicopters,
slow-flying aircraft, and all-weather, day/night firing. These new sights
include FLIR, improved Image Intensification, and Passive IR for the driver,
including a backup camera. The commander's machinegun may be aimed and fired
from a buttoned up M-84AB1. It is
powered by a turbocharged diesel of Serbian make, developing 1200 horsepower,
and yet smaller than the A's 1000 horsepower engine, and the transmission is
automatic.
Kuwait ordered
160 M-84AB tanks from Serbia, but the disintegration of Yugoslavia followed by
NATO bombing led to a cancellation before half these tanks were delivered.
The M-84AS, the Newest M-84A
For the most part, the M-84AS has the improvements of the M-84AB1, but with even
more improvements, such as a thermal sleeve for its main gun.
The floor of the M-84AS has additional armor, due to a tendency for the
M-84A to strike a mine and the ammunition in the floor
to go up catastrophically.
The side armor is also thicker. The M-85AS is powered by a V-46TK developing
1000 horsepower. GPS is provided
for navigation, along with an inertial navigation backup.
A small computer ties this together.
The maps are displayed on an LCD in the driver's compartment and at the
commander's position display map information, and this can be updated manually
and transmitted to higher HQ (sort of a "reduced" version of a BMS).
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
M-84A |
$539,141 |
D, A |
500 kg |
42 tons |
3 |
26 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
M-84AB |
$544,241 |
D, A |
500 kg |
42.2 tons |
3 |
26 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
M-84ABK |
$554,084 |
D, A |
500 kg |
42.3 tons |
3 |
28 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
M-84AB1 |
$705,000 |
D, A |
500 kg |
42.8 tons |
3 |
29 |
FLIR (G, C), Passive IR (D), Improved Image Intensification (G, C),
WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
M-84AS |
$845,803 |
D, A |
500 kg |
43.5 tons |
3 |
30 |
FLIR (G, C), Passive IR (D), Improved Image Intensification (G, C),
WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
M-84A |
162/112 |
38/27 |
1050+400 |
366 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF126Sp TS21 TR20 HF158Cp HS15 HR12 |
M-84AB |
161/111 |
38/27 |
1050+400 |
370 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF126Sp TS21 TR20 HF158Cp HS15 HR12 |
M-84ABK |
160/110 |
38/27 |
1050+400 |
374 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF126Sp TS21 TR20 HF158Cp HS15 HR12 |
M-84AB1 |
186/130 |
45/30 |
1050+400 |
448 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF138Cp TS24Sp
TR22 HF174Cp
HS17Sp HR14 |
M-84AS |
160/112 |
35/25 |
1050+400 |
374 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF152Cp TS27Sp TR24
HF191Cp HS20Sp
HR16* |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
M-84A |
+2 |
Fair |
125mm 2A46 Gun, PKT, DShK (C) |
42x125mm, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
M-84AB/ABK/AB1 |
+3 |
Good |
125mm 2A46 Gun, PKT, DShK (C) |
42x125mm, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
M-84AS |
+4 |
Good |
125mm 2A46 Gun, PKT, DShK (C) |
42x125mm, 2000x7.62mm, 300x12.7mm |
*Belly armor for the M-84AS is 12Sp.
Duro M-90 Vihor
Notes: The M-90
is still very much a state secret in Serbia, but it seems to be a combination of
the T-72 hull with an upgraded armor suite, and espionage work against Croatia
that gave the M-90 its new, low-profile hull and its more reliable autoloading
system. Supposedly, only two Vihors were built due to the civil war, but the
assembly line could re-open upon orders, and the work has been incorporated into
other Serbian tanks, most notably the M-84AB1. Many feel that the M-84AS is a
better tank, but the M-90 has better fire control and stabilization (but not
quantifiable in game terms). My calculations seem to point towards those who
favor the M-84AS.
The turret is
reverse wedge-shaped, and takes up a remarkably small amount of the tank. It is
fed by a carousel system in the floor of the turret basket.
The autoloader is of Serbian (or possibly Croatian) design and is said to
have 340 less parts than an equivalent one on the T-72. The engine is the same
as in the M-85AB1, developing 1200 horsepower in a relatively small package,
enough to allow the installation of a 5kW APU. It has an automatic transmission.
ATGMs can be fired from the gun (AT-8 Songsters).
Armor includes composite armor faces and lugs for ERA, as well as hard
spall liners.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
M-90 |
$803,609 |
D, A |
500 kg |
44 tons |
3 |
30 |
FLIR (G, C), Passive IR (D), Improved Image Intensification (G, C),
WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
M-90 |
182/128 |
54/38 |
1050+400 |
448 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF140Cp TS31Sp
TR22 HF158Cp
HS26Sp HR16* |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
M-90 |
+4 |
Good |
125mm 2A46M1 Gun, PKT, DShK (C) |
45x125mm, 2000x7.62mm, 600x12.7mm |
*Belly Armor is 12Sp.