M-84D: Croatia’s Anti-Material Sniper

Yontzee · July 20, 2023, 3:33am

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M-84D: Croatia’s Anti-Material Sniper

The M-84D used by the Croatian Army.

Description:
- Role: Main Battle Tank
- Origin: Croatia
- Manufacturer: Đuro Đaković specijalna vozila dd
- Summary:
  - The M-84D, sometimes known as the M84A5, is a main battle tank developed in 2003 by the company Đuro Đaković specijalna vozila dd, to replace the older M-84A4 Snipers’s in service with the Croatian Army. The M-84D was developed in parallel with the M-95 Degman with being a further development of the M-84 main battle tank. The M-84D featured several enhancements over the base M-84A4 Sniper’s in Croatian service while retaining the original crew of 3, the driver, commander, and gunner. First, the most noticeable enhancement is the addition of new explosive reactive armor, or ERA, covering the UFL/ LFP, Turret, and hull sides. This ERA, dubbed RRAK, was developed in coordination with the Israeli company Elbit Systems resulting in a significant increase in protection from kinetic, and tandem-HEAT shaped charges. Also included is NERA inserts to reinforce the ERA. In terms of firepower, the M-84D received an upgraded fire control system from the Slovenian company ‘Fotona’ which was an upgrade of the Omega-84 found on the M-84A4 Sniper main battle tank. This new FCS, the Omega-D integrates a new 2nd-generation thermal imager w/ integrated laser rangefinder for the gunner named the TSGS-D which allows for effective night operations and increases the effectiveness of the original 2A46M 125mm smoothbore gun. Not only this, this new FCS further heightens reaction time to increase probability of kill/first round launched. If the new FCS isn’t enough, the M-84D received a modified autoloader that decreases the autoloaders reload time from 7.5 seconds (or 8rds/min) to 6.6 seconds (or 9rds/min), providing a ~15% increase in rate of fire (RoF) which can be crucial in war-time environments. The gunner also controls the M86 7.62mm coaxial machine gun as well as an optional remote M86 machine gun which is installed on the top of the main gun towards the turret housing. This gun is coupled to the main gun and is reliant on it for aiming. For additional firepower, the Israeli LAHAT gun-launched anti-tank guided missile has been integrated into the vehicle’s fire control system, allowing it to engage armor and low-flying helicopters alike out to 8km. The diameter of the LAHAT is 105mm, but due to tube adjustments, the missile can be fitted to be fired from the 125mm gun and stowed in the autoloader. The commander received several new optics such as the COMTOS w/ integrated DNKS-2 Day/Night Sight for the commander which utilizes a newer passive IR intensifier as well as a stabilized 12.7mm Kongsberg remote weapon station (RWS) with the option of using a Rafael-Samson remote weapon station. The Kongsberg RWS comes equipped with a 3rd-generation thermal imager, laser rangefinder, 6x additional smoke grenades, as well as the capability for hunter-killer operations. The commander’s station also allows for taking fire control from the gunner and can operate the main gun if the gunner is incapacitated. The driver retains the TNPO-168V Day Periscope with PPV-2 Passive IR Periscope from the M-84A4 Sniper for day and night operations. For countermeasures, the M-84D utilizes a LIRD-4B laser warning receiver which can be coupled to 12x 902A ‘Tucha’ 81mm smoke grenade launchers to discharge the smoke grenades in the event of incoming laser-guided missiles or laser rangefinding targeting equipment. The M-84D retains the same engine as the M-84A4 Sniper, the V-46TK diesel engine capable of producing 1,000hp as well as the V1000-7 Mechanical Transmission. New tracks were installed and other equipment were installed such as new SZ-D crew protection equipment, NATO compatible NBC detector, SINCGARS VHF VRC 92 radios, GPS, and more. The M-84A4 Sniper can be directly upgraded to the M-84D, with two M-84A4 Sniper’s have been upgraded in the Croatian Army with an expected 16 total. The Kuwaiti Army also expressed interest in the M-84D. The M-84D has yet to see combat.
Armament:
- Primary: 125mm 2A46M Smoothbore Gun
  - Cartridge: 125mm
    - Ammunition:
      - APFSDS-T
      - HEAT-FS
      - HE-FRAG
      - GL-ATGM
        
        LAHAT:
        
        Warhead: Tandem-HEAT
        
        Penetration: 800mm of RHA behind ERA
        
        Speed: ~285m/s
        
        Range: out to 8km
        
        Weight: 19kg
        
        Diameter: 105mm
        
        Missile tube adjustments for firing from any large-caliber gun and can be fitted in the autoloader.
    - Feed System:
      - Autoloader-22rds (42rds total)
    - Rate of Fire (RoF): 9rds/min (6.6 second reload)
    - Depression/Elevation: -6/+13 degrees
- Coaxial: M86 7.62mm Machine Gun
- Tertiary: M86 7.62mm Machine Gun
- Roof-mounted: 12.7mm M2 Kongsberg Protector Remote Weapon Station
Maneuverability:
- Engine:1,000hp V-46TK Diesel Engine
- Transmission: V1000-7 Mechanical Transmission (7-forward , 1-Reverse )
- Chassis: Torsion Bar
- Max Speed: 65km/h
Dimensions:
- Length: ~9.53m (w/ gun forward)
- Width: ~3.62m
- Height: ~2.3m
- Weight: 45t (combat ready)
Crew (3x):
- Commander
- Gunner
- Driver
Accessories:
- 18x 902A ‘Tucha’ 81mm Smoke Grenade Launchers
- ESS
- Laser Rangefinder
- LIRD-4B Laser Warning Receiver
- Entrenching Blade
- Armor:
  - RRAK Explosive Reactive Armor
    - Noted to be similar to Kontact-5 ERA for both chemical and kinetic protection.
  - NERA inserts.
  - Rear turret cage armor.
- NVD:
  - Driver: TNPO-168V Day Periscope/PPV-2 Passive IR Periscope (Passive IR)
  - Gunner: TSGS-D Electro-optical Sight (2nd-generation Thermal Imager)
  - Commander:
    - 12.7mm Kongsberg Protector RWS (3rd-generation Thermal Imager)
    - COMTOS w/ integrated DNKS-2 Day/Night Sight (Passive IR)
In-game:
- The M-84D is a unique vehicle that can be rated by armor protection, slightly surpassing the T-72B (1989) in capabilities. Equipped with ERA matching that of Kontact-5, a rapid fire autoloader (6.6rds/min), 4 different guns, and 2nd and 3rd-generation thermal imagers for the gunner and commander, the M-84D will hit the floor running. The M-84D, like the M-95 only suffers two major drawbacks. The first is the large ERA paneling, meaning once a panel is detonated, a significant part of the hull or turret will be exposed depending on where the vehicle was hit. The second is the lack of effective ammunition, with some sources claim rounds as far back as the 3BK14M HEAT-FS or the 3VBM-9 APFSDS-T rounds. It is unknown if other rounds are in use which could significantly change the battle rating. It does however have the LAHAT GL-ATGM which can be fired out to 8km. The second drawback can be made slightly up with the rapid rate of fire of the autoloader. Operators will have to take care, and place well aimed shots to disable and eliminate targets. Due to the M-84D being accepted into Croatian service, it would sit well within the standard tree as a researchable vehicle.
- Estimated Realistic Battle Rating: 10.0
Sources:

Imagery

Spoiler

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Different views of the M-84D used by the Croatian Army.

Another front view of the M-84D. Note the ERA wrapping around the UFP and LFP.

An M-84D on display.

The M-84D.

An M-84D equipped with a 12.7mm Kongsberg RWS and M86 machine gun with additional sensors for targeting on the left.

M-84D during testing.

View of the interior.

LAHAT gun-launched ATGM that can be fired by the M-84D.

Yontzee · February 18, 2024, 12:38pm

Probably one of my favorite tanks, especially with the mounted remote 7.62mm M86 on the barrel and the .50cal RCWS. Merkava vibes. Ammunition for the main gun is gonna hurt, but with the LAHAT and thermals, it should give it a better chance against certain targets.

On a side note, looking forward to seeing what Croatia does to its M2 Bradley’s it’s receiving which would serve alongside M-84’s in the event of conflict.

Technical Difficulties

CRO_SkyGuard · February 18, 2024, 1:35pm

The first modernized Bradley from ĐĐSV should be released on 1st of July if everything goes as planned, so then we can see what the modification will look like.