Contents.Development and production The M-84 is based on the Soviet but with several modifications, including a domestic fire-control system, improved composite armor, and a 1000- engine. The M-84 entered service with the Yugoslav People's Army in 1984. The improved M-84A version entered service a few years later.There were about 240 Yugoslav factories which directly participated in the production of the M-84 and about 1,000 others which participated indirectly. The latest Serbian version of the M-84 is the M-84AS, unveiled in 2004. It features a new fire control system, ERA armor, anti-tank missiles, Agava-2 thermal sight, and the defensive suite. It is very similar to the Russian, both in appearance and in capability.About 150 M-84 tanks were exported to.
The disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s prevented further exports of the M-84.Design Armament The M-84A is armed with a 125 mm 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 ammunition is stowed underneath the turret (40 rounds) within the hull of the tank. This concept was inherited from the original Soviet design for T-72 and is both a strength and weakness of the tank. While the lower hull beneath the turret is one of the least likely place to be hit and penetrated by antitank rounds or mines it also means that 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 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 end of the vehicle. Like most Soviet derived vehicles, the M-84 series of tanks do not have a manual loader, due to the tank's system.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 ), 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. Side or rear hits often result in a.Twelve smoke are positioned in front of the turret in banks of five and seven grenades. Night vision and gunner's sight are positioned on the top-right side of the turret.
The M-84 has a search light used in short-range combat situations.The M-84 tank has nuclear, biological and chemical protection capabilities.Mobility The base M-84 engine is a 12-cylinder water-cooled V46-6 diesel engine, rated at 574 (780 ). The improved M-84A has a more powerful, V46-TK 735 kW (1,000 ) engine. With maximum fuel capacity (1,200 litres) the tank's range is 450 km, and with external fuel tanks, this range can be extended to 650 km.The Croatian-made variants have enhanced power plants. The M-84A4 Sniper model has a German-built 820 kW (1,100 hp) engine, while the M-84D has an 895 kW (1,200 hp) 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 at any time, or up to 5 meters with a snorkel.Variants M-84 (Yugoslavia) – The initial version based on the Soviet and produced between 1984 and 1987.
Less than 150 units manufactured. M-84A (Yugoslavia) – An upgraded version similar to the Soviet but with a significantly more powerful engine and additional armour plating. It comes with the new SUV-M-84 computerized, including the DNNS-2 gunner's day/night sight, with independent stabilization in two planes and integral. It also comes with the TNP-160, 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. Additionally, the M-84AB is fitted with new communication and systems. The Kuwaiti 35th Ash-Shahid (Martyr's) Armoured Brigade, armed with several dozen M-84ABs, took part in. During the fighting, only two M-84AB's 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 resulting end of its production. M-84ABN (Yugoslavia) – The M-84AB fitted with land navigation equipment. M-84ABK Command Tank (Yugoslavia) -M-84AB version fitted with extensive communication equipment, land navigation equipment, and a generator for the command role. M-84A4 Sniper (Croatia) – This version includes the all-new SCS-84 day/night sight, DBR-84 ballistic computer and improved elevation and traverse sensors. Croatia purchased around 40 of these models from 1996 till 2003 from its domestic factory. As rumored, these tanks have a different engine of German origin, rated at 1,100 hp instead of the 1,000 hp powerplant originally installed, but this information has never been officially confirmed. A communication suite also replaced the older communication set.
As of 2008, the entire Croatian M-84 tank fleet was upgraded to the M-84A4 standard. M-84AI armored recovery vehicle (Yugoslavia and Poland) – During the mid-1990s Kuwait requested an armored 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 license was bought and Polish parts were used in the M-84AI project completed in the ' Factory in.
There was also a plan for a M-84ABI for, 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, front-mounted stabilizing dozer blade, main and secondary winches. M-84AS (Serbia) – Upgrade package of the M-84A in service with the Serbian Army. 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 and Agava-2 thermal sights, and the defense suite. The first public appearance of the was in July 2004 at the Nikinci military base.
It appeared to be very similar to the Russian, both in appearance and in capability. The differences reportedly consist of better armor on the T-90S, whereas the M-84AS has superior maneuverability. The M-84AS was also tested by as part of an international tender. It can also survive multiple hits at relatively close ranges from 's 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 125 mm 2A46M smooth bore gun and a 1,200 hp diesel engine giving a maximum speed of 72 km/h.
In addition, there were a number of undisclosed Arab countries that are interested in the purchase of the M-84AS. M-84AS1 (Serbia) – Latest Serbian variant in prototype stage. Adds additional armor, including, integrated day-night sighting system with thermal imager, command information system, a, new radio system,Remote-controlled Weapons Station with 12.7mm machine gun, and protection equipment. M-84D (Croatia) – This variant brings existing M-84 variants to the standard, equipped with a new 1,200 hp (895 Kw) engine and new RRAK ERA armor. The M-84D is equipped with a –, and a new Omega ballistic computer (Slovenian Fotona-made digital ballistic computer). M-84A4 and M-84D have an operational range of 700 km and a maximum speed of 65 km/h.The M-84D has also a 15% faster auto loader,meaning an additional shell being loaded making the rate of 9 shells per minute instead of 8 shells per minute. 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 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 anti tank missiles. There is a potential for integration of Swiss 120 mm compact gun developed by RUAG. This option is being now seriously considered as this would allow Croatia to use NATO 120 m standard ammunition.
120 mm compact gun is a preferred option over German L44 120 mm cannon which is more expensive and would require German support, whereas RUAG will provide technical know how and technology transfer to. Only two Croatian tanks have been upgraded to this standard due to budgetary restraints. A M-84 duringPrior to the, ordered 170 M-84ABs, 15 M-84ABI ARVs and 15 M-84ABK command tanks, from Yugoslavia. Four M-84A tanks were delivered; however, the 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. During the retaking of the country, the 35th Brigade did not directly take part in battles with Iraqi tanks because of the M-84s similarity to Iraqi. The M-84 was however very effective against and but some unconfirmed reports claim that a few of them were damaged, but recovered and repaired.Yugoslav wars. Main article: Slovenia During the, the (JNA) attempted to regain control over border crossings, airports and other strategic positions in Slovenia. The had no armored 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 and Slovenia's independence was accepted. Croatia The M-84 saw action in the, where the and Serbian forces deployed large columns of in urban areas without the adequate support of the infantry. Tanks and APCs found themselves extremely exposed and suffered significant losses mainly to.It was noted by anti tank crews that the M-84s were extremely durable in comparison to other vehicles fielded by the. One account from a team in the noted that a single M-84 took 5 rounds from various launchers and direction with a 6th only knocking out its engine forcing its crew to bail out (its main gun being destroyed by a 'lucky' AT shot from an RPG-7).Bosnia and Herzegovina During the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina, M-84s saw little action, the mainstay of all three warring parties being the.At the beginning of the war, JNA units stationed in Bosnia and Herzegovina had passed their equipment to the (VRS).
The VRS had several dozen M-84s, with the managing to capture only three M-84s. A number of M-84 tanks were used during the, as well as during smaller localized conflicts. The number of M-84 tanks destroyed during the is unknown.Operators.
Motec M84 Price
Serbian M-84AS. The is equipped with 149 M-84 MBTs in AB, ABK and ABN versions bought prior to from Yugoslavia.
35th Shahid (Martyr's) Armoured Brigade equipped with 70 M-84s. The is equipped with 72 M-84A4 Sniper MBTs; awaiting further upgrades. It plans to upgrade 48 tanks to M-84A5 standard by 2020; remaining tanks will be put to reserve status or stored.
The has 54 M-84 tanks in its fleet. All tanks are modernized to the M-84A4 Sniper standard but only 19 remain in service, while the rest are in operational reserve due to financial reasons.
Tracked Combat Vehicles Centre equipped with 19 M-84 tanks. The is equipped with 71 M-84 MBTs. In 2008, at least 50 operational tanks were withdrawn from active service due to financial reasons.Former operators. The operated about 450 M-84s in M-84 and M-84A versions.
The M-84 was intended to fully replace the, and tanks then held in storage as well as some of the older units.
Fulton Armory FAQ: On the M1D and M84 On the M1D and M84 by Bruce JacksonAfter getting a beautiful M1D with all accessories from the CMP last year, I went in search of information on the M84. Not much out there! A friend loaned me his 1947 copy of War Department Technical Manual TM9-1275 Ordnance Maintenance, U.S. Rifles, Cal.30, M1, M1C and M1D (Sniper's). This lists specs on the M81 and M82 scopes as follows:. wt. Of scope - 0.84 lb.
Focus - Universal. Maximum useful range - 800 to 1,000 yd. Field of vision at 100 yd - 35 ft. Magnification - 2.5 X. Eye relief - 5 in. (approx).Both were Lyman Alaskan scopes produced for the military. The M81 had a cross-wire reticle and the M82 a tapered post, otherwise they were identical.The reticle was internally adjustable for windage and elevation in one minute of angle clicks.
Numerical graduation marks had a value of two m.o.a.The M84 scope replaced the M81 and M82 and was standard issue in April 1945. Peter Senich provided the most detailed information on these scopes that I have found in his book LIMITED WAR SNIPING, Paladin Press, 1977. I found this book at the library while researching info. On the M1D and M84. Chapter 4, Semi-Automatic Sniping System, The M1 Garand, goes into considerable detail on the history of the M1C, M1D and their scope and mount development programs. Page 63 opens the history on the M84 in early 1945.
As a 2.2 X conventional design (T134) very similar to the M82, it was to compete in field tests against 3 X and 4.5 X designs in June of '45. For unknown reasons those scopes were rejected and the T134 adopted in April '45 as the M84. It has a universal focus, field of view is 27 feet at 100 yd, diameter is.870 in., length with rubber eye-piece and sunshade extended is 13.2 in., the reticle is a post with horizontal cross-wire, eye relief is 5 in.
And it was sealed with rubber gaskets to keep out moisture. In my shooting with it, the top of the post appears to subtend 3 m.o.a., or 3 in. At 100 yd, 6 in. The elevation dial has 32 threads per inch which provides 40 m.o.a. Of vertical movement of the post for one complete revolution of the drum. The finger adjustable knob gives 1 m.o.a.
For each click, which are usually felt rather than heard. The elevation scale starts at zero yards and elevates to 900 yards with line marks every 50 yd. And numbers at each hundred yard increment. The windage knob has 20 m.o.a. Adjustment both left and right of zero.
It has a total windage range of 100 m.o.a. To allow for any mount misalignment. Like the elevation knob, each click moves the post 1 m.o.a.Since the M84 was to replace those M81/82 scopes coming out of service, only a small number had been produced by the end of WW2. Certainly, none saw combat. The M84 was standard for the M1C, M1D and Springfield M1903-A4, but was not available in quantity until the Korean War.
Libby-Owens-Ford was the military contractor. The M1D/M84 combination was a sniper rifle that could be assembled at the division armorer level as no drilling and tapping of the reciever was required as with the M1C. As a result, many more M1D's were prepared and distributed, seeing service into the late 70's.An additional source of information on the M1D/M84 is the book, THE LONG RANGE WAR: SNIPING IN VIETNAM by Peter Senich, 1994. In chapter 1 he goes into some detail on the build up of U.S.
M84 Scope Manual
Military activity in the 60's and their reliance on the M1D. Very detailed information with excellent black and white photo's showing details of the various rifle/scope combinations in development are included. As to the number of M84 scopes produced, the only hint I could locate was in a photo credit Senich gives on page 19, '.with a total of well over 40,000 M84 telescopic sights manufactured before production finally ended, and with the U.S. Policy of 'surplus disposal' such as it is, this 2.2 power scope will undoubtedly remain in service someplace on this globe for years to come.' I'm just grateful that the CMP made these M1D Garands available to good citizens and that I was fortunate enough to draw one in the last lottery. And what a fine specimen it is. Original Springfield in the 3022xxx serial range with a 1952 SA barrel with a fresh crown, milled SA trigger guard with all matching parts, new M84 in the original sealed packaging, clean walnut stock with no dents or dings and all the proper stamps, uniform grey parkerizing and all the accessories!
I just couldn't wait to get it all put together, cleaned, lubed and out to the range for a test drive, (which ought to drive the collectors/profiteers crazy). As an ex-SWAT team counter-sniper I have a real appreciation for the origins of our current equipment. The M1D/M84 was a real evolutionary step that led us to the more accurate systems that we benefit from today. Of course it doesn't deliver the pin point precision that a tuned Rem. 700 or Stoner SR-25 will, and the lateral zero shift at different ranges must be accepted, but I wouldn't volunteer to thumb my nose at a competent marksman within 600 yards. My rifle groups into 2 m.o.a., or less at 200 yards and the zero is relatively repeatable if the same hand only torque and positioning is applied to the mount.
Calibration of elevation adjustments coincide very well out to 600 yards with the M 72, 174 grain fmjbt match ammo or equivilent reloads using the Sierra 168 grain Matchking. As Senich points out, the interior black coating used to retard light scatter in the M84 has a tendancy to flake and adhere to the interior lens surfaces. So what, just ignore it like a couple of generations of soldiers have.In my area we put on a 'Vintage Sniper's Rifle' match once each summer. All prone, 20 rounds at 300, 500 and 600 yards. Any nations 'as issued' Korean War or earlier sniper rifle qualifies. Snugging the M1D into my shoulder with a tight leather sling, checking the post for vertical, the wind direction and velocity, and the mirage boil, I can smell the leather cheek piece as breathing is checked and slack taken from the trigger. Concentration of focus spirals through the M84 and I'm transported to other times and places when men at arms gambled far higher stakes.
For some reason, this keen appreciation of history, and freedom, just doesn't occur with the SR-25 from the 600 yard line. Hope this assists you in your search for more information on the M84.-Bruce JacksonPostscript by Walt Kuleck: Extending the M84's adjustment rangeTo get additional elevation and widage corrections the caps must be removed by removing both the small inner and larger outer locking nuts retaining the adjustment knobs. The inner nut is difficult to remove without a special slotted tool. The inner nut prevents the larger nut from being removed completely and serves as a stop. After carefully removing the inner nut, the larger outer nut can be loosened and removed.After the knob(s) are removed, further adjustments can be made by turning the internal adjustment disc on either the windage or elevation or both. This will give you a macro adjustment to get you close.
The cap is then reinstalled along with both nuts. Do not tighten the larger nut as micro adjustments will still be needed. Care must be taken to avoid losing anoy of the small nuts.You should probably do this at the range.Postscript by Clint McKee:The mount base is part of the 'D' barrel assembly, and was never issued as a separate part.There are some Chinese made blocks sold by some companies, but they are of poor quality, and the threads can be a big problem. Keep in mind, after paying all that money to convert your barrel, if the threads go bad, you've lost that barrel for the intended purpose, and, yu've ruined your original barrel.Besides, a Chinese block will render the rifle uncollectible, and the only scope you can use is a rather poor M84 that costs more than a very good scope made today.Best advice: If you want to scope the rifle and not alter the receiver, get the scope mount with included 1' rings (or the Weaver Rail version) from Fulton Armory for around a hundred bucks, and get a decent 1' scope.