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M-84AS2: Swift Armadillo 
The M-84AS2 main battle tank featuring advanced armor layout, focusing on roof protection, and soft-kill active protection systems.
- Description:
- Role: Main Battle Tank
- Origin: Serbia
- Manufacturer: Military Technical Institute
- Summary:
- The M-84 is a Yugoslavian main battle tank developed in the late-1970’s, early 1980’s by the Military Technical Institute of Belgrade. Developed from the Soviet T-72M, the M-84 was produced since 1984 and received multiple upgrades through its lifetime. These upgrades significantly enhanced the overall firepower, mobility, and armor protection of the vehicle, allowing it to compare favorably to the T-72A of the Soviet Army. The M-84 features a SUV-M-84 fire control system (FCS), a locally designed FCS that allows for far better targeting and engagement of targets, and enhanced sights to augment the main gun, a 2A46M 125mm smoothbore gun. Supplementing the main gun is a 7.62mm M86 machine gun as well as a 12.7mm M87 anti-aircraft machine gun. The M-84 is crewed by a team of 3 personnel, the Commander, Gunner, and Driver. The M-84 was in use with the Yugoslavian Army, and since its dissolution, serves in Serbia, Croatia, Kuwait, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia. The M-84 has served in multiple conflicts ranging from the Persian Gulf War to the Yugoslav Wars. Some have been even sent to Ukraine.
- In 2017, the M-84 received its latest modernization from Serbia’s Military Technical Institute. This would be known as the M-84AS1 (2017). Fast forward 3 years, two further developments of this tank were released. These new variants would be dubbed the M-84AS1 Phase I and the M-84AS1 Phase II or better known as the M-84AS2. Two versions of this M-84AS1 were developed, the 2017 model and the 2020 model while the M-84AS2, a project developed in parallel of the M-84AS1 (2020), builds off of the armor layout and offers several further enhancements. One of the most noticeable features is the next generation explosive reactive armor (ERA) dubbed ERO-19, or M-19 ERA. This ERA has been applied all over the turret in wedge-fashion as well as on the roof, the upper front plate (UFP), and the sides of the hull protecting vital components and crew stations. The armor difference between the M-84AS1 (2020) and the M-84AS2 is that the M-84AS2 offers better placement of ERA as well as an extra layer on the roof of the vehicle to protect against top-attack munitions. The ERO-19 is a locally developed ERA that is expected to perform similarly to the Russian Army’s ‘Relikt’ ERA used in its latest generation of main battle tanks. This ERA has been claimed to offer complete kinetic protection against the 3BM46 ‘Mango’ APFSDS-T round. Due to a raise in the roof armor protection and difficulty with the M-84AS1’s Commander’s cupola, the Commander’s cupola on the M-84AS2 has been raised and armored to allow for increased situational awareness. Around the engine compartment and rear of the turret is installed cage armor for protection against HEAT-shaped charges. Another feature is a serious upgrade of the M-84A’s FCS, incorporating a modernized DNNS-2 TI Gunner’s sight capable of effective night-time engagement, the French Safran PASEO commander’s sight instead of Belorussian PKP-MRO found on the M-84AS1 (2020), offering effective hunter-killer operation, DUBS 12.7mm remote controlled weapon equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun to engage soft targets from within the vehicle, and much more. The new FCS is designed to fire new ammunition developed by the Borbeni složeni sistemi factory including a new APFSDS-T round for defeating modern armor, as well as a programmable airburst round for targeting soft targets as well as low flying helicopters. It can also fire 9M119-series gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles, or GL-ATGM. Borbeni složeni sistemi factory also produces brand new 2A46M main guns equipped with thermal sleeves for the new M-84AS2. The M-84AS2 is equipped with a soft-kill active protection system (APS) that utilizes a laser and missile warning receiver known as the LDWS-2020 which is designed to detect incoming missiles and deploy a smoke screen to allow the tank to relocate from incoming threats. Some additional electronics are new front camera module known as the SDNP-19 and rear camera modules for the Driver, allowing the Driver to operate the vehicle effectively at night, improving overall visibility. The M-84AS2 still utilizes the same propulsion system including the 1,000hp V-46TK supercharged diesel engine and hydromechanical transmission from the standard M-84A, however can be upgraded to the V-46TK1 supercharged diesel engine which is capable of producing 1,200hp for further enhancements. Several other upgrades have been introduced such as new sensors, new cameras for the Driver and Commander, new digital control panel for the Driver, GLONASS navigation system, automatic fire extinguishers, and more, increasing crew comfort, and survivability. Both the M-84AS1 (2020) and M-84AS2 are due to be accepted by the Serbian military with the M-84AS2 acting as a Commander’s vehicle for a tank squadron of M-84AS1’s.
- Additional Note(s):
- To summarize, the main differences between the M-84AS1 (2020) and the M-84AS2 are:
- Increased height of the Commander’s Cupola.
- Better ERA placement around the hull, especially on the top of the turret.
- Safran PASEO sight for the Commander.
- The DUBS 12.7mm RCWS instead of M15 12.7mm found on the M-84AS1.
- To summarize, the main differences between the M-84AS1 (2020) and the M-84AS2 are:
- Armament:
- Primary: 125mm 2A46M Smoothbore Gun
- Cartridge: 125mm
- Ammunition:
- APFSDS-T (New)
- HEAT-FS
- HE-FRAG
- HE-AB (New)
- GL-ATGM
- Feed System:
- Autoloader-22rds (42rds total)
- Ammunition:
- Cartridge: 125mm
- Coaxial: M86 7.62mm Machine Gun
- Tertiary: DUBS 12.7mm RCWS w/ 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun
- Primary: 125mm 2A46M Smoothbore Gun
- Maneuverability:
- Engine: 1,000hp V-46TK Supercharged Diesel Engine
- Transmission: Hydromechanical (7-forward, 1-Reverse)
- Chassis: Torsion Bar
- Max Speed: 65km/h
- Dimensions:
- Length: 9.53m (w/ gun forward)
- Width: 3.73m
- Height: ~2.7m
- Weight: ~46t
- Crew (3x):
- Commander
- Gunner
- Driver
- Accessories:
- 12x 81mm Smoke Grenade Launchers
- ESS
- Laser Rangefinder
- LDWS-2020 Laser/Missile Warning System
- Entrenching Blade
- Armor:
- ERO-19 Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA)
- Is located on turret and UFP with the option to mount on hull sides.
- Repositioned ERA to offer better coverage on the top of the turret.
- Cage Armor
- Can be mounted around just the engine compartment or length of the vehicle.
- ERO-19 Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA)
- NVD:
- Driver: TNPO-168V Day Periscope and SDNP-19 Thermal Camera Module (3rd-generation Thermal Imager)
- Rear camera module also installed.
- Gunner: DNNS-2 TI (3rd-generation Thermal Imager)
- Commander:
- Safran PASEO Commander’s Sight/CITV (3rd-generation Thermal Imager)
- Driver: TNPO-168V Day Periscope and SDNP-19 Thermal Camera Module (3rd-generation Thermal Imager)
- In-game:
- The M-84AS2 is the top ranked vehicle of the future Yugoslavian tree, sitting at 11.7. Equipped with powerful 125mm main gun that utilizes modern rounds including a new APFSDS-T round capable of penetrating around 500mm of RHA (@ 2km), the 9M119-series GL-ATGM’s, as well as a programmable airburst round for ‘deleting’ low flying helicopters. Not to mention it also has ERA said to rival the Russian ‘Relikt’ ERA, allowing the M-84AS2 to take some series hits from both Kinetic and Chemical rounds. With the additional ERA/armor on the roof, it has increased survivability against newer munitions coming to the game such as F&F top attack missiles like the QN502CDD or the TOW-2B. One thing to note, even though the vehicle has increased ERA coverage, the raised Commander’s cupola creates a vulnerability against HE ammunition. In terms of mobility, the AS2 is equipped with a powerful engine, capable of traversing obstacles and reaching points or targets quickly but lacks the reverse speed similar to variants of the T-72.
- Sources:
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/serbian_serbia_army_main_battle_tank_heavy_armoured_vehicles_uk/m-84_main_battle_tank_technical_data_fact_sheet.html
- https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/row/m-84.htm
- https://www.defenceprocurementinternational.com/Content/Profiles/yugoimport-sdpr/yugoimport-company-profile.pdf
- https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/category/yugoslav-armor/
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/partner_2021_news_online_show_daily_defense_exhibition_serbia/serbian_defense_industry_has_developed_m-84as2_upgrade_version_of_m-84_tank.html?utm_content=cmp-true
- https://inf.news/en/military/1a86b6a2a1c55338750afb0872bc5626.html
- https://www.armedconflicts.com/Prototype-of-the-Serbian-tank-M84-AS2-t246125
- https://ppt-namenska.rs/en/dubs/
- https://www.yugoimport.com/sites/default/files/documents/2023-02/SDNP-19.pdf
- https://www.yugoimport.com/sites/default/files/documents/2022-09/Laser Detector and Warning System LDWS-2020_0.pdf
- https://defence-ua.com/news/serbiji_znadobilos_pivtora_roki_abi_u_dva_prijomi_rozrobiti_vlasnu_modernizatsiju_kopiji_t_72-5029.html
- https://www.safran-group.com/products-services/paseo-long-range-panoramic-targeting-sight-land-vehicles
- https://tanknutdave.com/the-yugoslavian-former-m-84-series/
- https://militaryleak.com/2020/10/06/serbian-ministry-of-defence-showcases-upgraded-m-84-as1-main-battle-tanks/
- https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/serbia-unveils-modernised-m-84-as1-mbt
- https://www.mod.gov.rs/lat/16107/ogroman-iskorak-na-koji-se-cekalo-od-1991-godine-16107
- https://www.mod.gov.rs/lat/16471/optoelektronska-oprema-u-vojsci-srbije-16471
- https://www.mod.gov.rs/lat/14342/ministar-vulin-domaca-pamet-u-sluzbi-napretka-nase-vojske-14342
- https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/433200/Drustvo/Pametna-municija-i-reaktivni-oklop-za-tenk-M-84
- https://defence24.pl/sily-zbrojne/salwy-artylerii-smiglowce-czolgi-i-roboty-serbskie-cwiczenie-wspolpraca-2020-wideo
- https://rg.ru/2020/10/06/serbskie-konstruktory-nachali-raboty-po-tanku-m-84as2.html
- http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product.php?prodID=2076&printmode=1
- https://below-the-turret-ring.blogspot.com/2017/06/
- http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product5907.html
- https://en.missilery.info/missile/refleks
Imagery
Spoiler
Image dump of the M-84AS2 showing multiple angles of the vehicle, highlighting the new armor layout.
M-84AS2 with the PASEO Commander’s Sight in view.
A comparison of the M-84AS2 (Left) versus the M-84AS1 (Right) during an exercise. Note this M-84AS2 utilizes an older Commander’s sight.
The DUBS RCWS.
The French PASEO Commander’s Sight.
The 9M119 GL-ATGM that can be fired from the main gun.
M-19/ERO-19 ERA that covers the M-84AS1.
Video highlighting the M-84AS2.