Ministry of the Defense Republic of Serbia has unveiled a new generation of M-84 main battle tanks that will be designated as M-84 AS1.
On Monday, the Serbian Minister of Defence, Aleksandar Vulin, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces attended the presentation of the modernized M-84 AS1 at the “Čačak” Technical Overhaul Institute.
“Thanks to the modernization that we have started and that will be designated as M-84 AS1, we will be able to say that we are one of the most modern tank forces, not only in the region but in the whole of Europe,” Minister Vulin said.
According to him, the Serbian Armed Forces are being modernized, equipped, strengthened and all their segments deserve equal attention.
“In the previous years, we paid special attention to our Air Force and Air Defence, but now it is the Army’s turn. This is a revolutionary and huge step forward. When the M-84 was built 36 years ago, its modernization began in 1991 and was never completed. This is the first time that modernization of M-84 is being completed, this is its first phase and we will continue to improve our field strength and our armored units’ capabilities. We are working on artillery, on armored units, infantry and hand weapons of all our infantry members,” – Minister Vulin said, adding that “the Serbian Armed Forces are being equipped and strengthened, not only to be the largest or most numerous but also to be the most modern.”
The M-84 AS1 is an advanced version of the M-84 main battle tank produced by Yugoimport SDPR in Serbia. The modernization gives an improved fire-control system with DNNS 2ATK integrated day/night sight .
The M-84 AS1 is equipped with non-explosive and non-energetic reactive armour ERO-19 which offers protection against modern tandem charge warheads on missiles. It is also equipped with the modern electro-optical system for defense against wire and laser guided anti-tank missiles.
The new tank received a KIS M-84 combat information and control system, a TOMS commander observation device, an active interference jamming system in the optical range of SOFTKIL, and protecting the engine from incorrect actions by the driver when starting up and starting the engine.
The M-84 AS1also is equipped with a modern remote weapon station, also known as an RWS. Such a weapon station allows a gunner to remain in the relative protection of the vehicle.
