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M-84

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with T-84, a Ukrainian main battle tank.
This article is about the Yugoslav tank. For other uses, see M84 (disambiguation).

M-84
Serbian Army M-84 tank
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originYugoslavia
Service history
In service1985–present
WarsPersian Gulf War
Yugoslav Wars
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
DesignerMilitary Technical Institute
Designed1979‒1983
ManufacturerĐuro Đaković
Produced1984‒1991 (Yugoslavia)
1992‒2003 (Croatian modernization)
2004‒2025 (Serbian modernization)
No. built~680
Specifications
Mass41.5 tonnes
Length6.86 m (9.53m with the gun)
Width3.57 m
Height2.19 m
Crew3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Armorcomposite alloy; including high-hardness steel, glass-reinforced plastic, RHA steel, and either sand or granite in the front of turret (M-84A).
Main
armament
125 mm 2A46 smoothbore gun
Secondary
armament
1× 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
1× 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun
5× smoke grenade launchers
Enginediesel V-46TK
1,000 hp (750 kW)
Power/weight24.10 hp/tonne
Suspensiontorsion bar
Fuel capacity1200 + 400l
Operational
range
700 km
Maximum speed 68 km/h

The M-84 is a Yugoslav main battle tank based on the Soviet T-72. It is still in service with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Kuwait, and Ukraine.

Development and production

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Development

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The M-84 was designed and developed by the Military Technical Institute in Belgrade. It is based on the Soviet T-72M, the export variant of T-72A, brought to T-72M1 standard,[1] with many improvements, including a domestic fire-control system that the T-72M lacked, improved composite armor, and a 1,000-hp engine.[2] The M-84 entered service with the Yugoslav People's Army in 1984, and the improved M-84A version entered service a few years later, the M-84A housing an upgraded engine.[1] Other variants were introduced later, most being modernization packages.

Production in Yugoslavia

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About 240 Yugoslav factories directly participated in the production of the M-84, and about 1,000 others participated indirectly.[3] The manufacturer was chosen by Josip Broz Tito to be the Đuro Đaković in Croatia, over other proposed manufacturers in Serbia: IMK 14. oktobar Kruševac, Goša FOM Smederevska Palanka and Mašinska Industrija Niš, at that time the biggest producers of locomotives and wagons in Yugoslavia.[4] The biggest manufacturers directly involved in production of the M84 main battle tank in SFR Yugoslavia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia among former republics were:

Production and development in Serbia

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Exports

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About 150 M-84 tanks were exported to Kuwait. The disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s prevented further exports of the M-84.[2] Sales of the M84 including negotiations of contracts with foreign partners were done through Yugoimport SDPR, at that time acting as a Yugoslav state agency. Production and delivery was performed by Đuro Đaković.

Design

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Armament

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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 40 rounds of ammunition are stowed in the hull of the tank beneath the turret. This concept was inherited from the original Soviet design for the T-72, and is both a strength and weakness of the tank. The lower hull beneath the turret is one of the least likely place to be hit and penetrated by antitank rounds or mines, but 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 coaxial 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 of the vehicle. Like most Soviet-derived vehicles, the M-84 series of tanks have an autoloader rather than a manual loader.

Protection

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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 Chobham armour), 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.[citation needed] Side or rear hits often result in a catastrophic ammo explosion.

Twelve smoke grenades are positioned in front of the turret in banks of five and seven grenades. Night vision and gunner's sights are positioned on the top-right side of the turret. The M-84 has a searchlight used in short-range combat situations.

The M-84 tank has nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection capabilities.

Mobility

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The base M-84 engine is a 12-cylinder water-cooled V46-6 diesel engine, rated at 574 kW (780 hp). The improved M-84A has a more powerful, V46-TK 735 kW (1,000 hp) engine. With maximum fuel load of 1,200 litres the tank's range is 450 km, extendable to 650 km, with external fuel tanks.

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, increasing to 5 meters with a snorkel.

Variants

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M-84A
M-84AB
M-84AB1
M-84A4
M-84AK
  • M-84 (Yugoslavia) – initial version based on the Soviet T-72M and produced between 1984 and 1987. Less than 150 units manufactured
  • M-84A (Yugoslavia) – upgraded version similar to the Soviet T-72M1 but with a significantly more powerful engine and additional armour plating. It comes with the new SUV-M-84 computerized fire-control system, including the DNNS-2 gunner's day/night sight, with independent stabilization in two planes and integral laser rangefinder. It also comes with the TNP-160 periscope, 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, fitted with new communication and intercom systems. The Kuwaiti 35th Ash-Shahid (Martyr's) Armoured Brigade, armed with several dozen M-84ABs, took part in Operation Desert Storm. During the fighting two M-84ABs 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 end of tank production. All instruments marked in English and Arabic
  • M-84ABN (Yugoslavia) – M-84AB fitted with land navigation equipment
  • M-84AK / ABK Command Tank (Yugoslavia) – M-84AB version fitted with extensive communication equipment, land navigation equipment, and a generator for the command role
  • M-91 Vihor (Yugoslavia) – further development of the M-84, with the main focus being improving the tank's firepower by installing modern optics and developing improved APFSDS shells. The turret was also redesigned, and some sources say that a new 1200 HP engine was planned. At least 2 prototypes were made before the outbreak of the civil war
  • M-84A4 Sniper (Croatia) – this version includes the all-new SCS-84 day/night sight, DBR-84 ballistic computer, improved elevation and traverse sensors, and EFCS-3 fire control system.[1] Croatia purchased around 40 of these models from 1996 till 2003 from its domestic factory. It is rumored, but not officially confirmed, that these tanks have a different engine of German origin, rated at 1,100 hp instead of the 1,000 hp engine originally installed. A Racal communication suite replaced the older communication set. By 2008 the entire Croatian M-84 tank fleet had been upgraded to the M-84A4 standard
  • M-84AI armoured recovery vehicle (Yugoslavia and Poland) – during the mid-1990s Kuwait requested an armoured 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 WZT-3 license was bought and Polish parts were used in the M-84AI project completed in the "14 October" factory in Kruševac. There was also a plan for a M-84ABI for Kuwait, 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 crane, front-mounted stabilizing dozer blade, main and secondary winches.
  • M-84D (Croatia) – this variant brings existing M-84 variants to the M-84D standard, equipped with a new 1,200 hp (895 kW) engine and new RRAK ERA armour. The M-84D is equipped with a Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station and a new Omega ballistic computer (Slovenian Fotona-made digital ballistic computer). M-84D has an operational range of 700 km and a maximum speed of 65 km/h. It also has a 15% faster auto loader, enabling a rate of fire of 9, rather than 8, rounds per minute.[19] 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 Kongsberg 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 LAHAT 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 RUAG compact gun is a preferred option over German Rheinmetall L44 120 mm cannon which is more expensive and would require German support, whereas RUAG will provide technical know how and technology transfer to Đuro Đaković specijalna vozila d.d. Only two Croatian tanks have been upgraded to this standard due to budgetary restraints
  • M-84AS (Serbia) – upgraded variant of the M-84A, project failed to advance to serial production. 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 AT-11 Sniper and Agava-2 thermal sights, and the Shtora defense suite, were all added. The first public appearance of the M-84AS was in 2004 at the Nikinci testing ground. It was very similar to the Russian T-90S, both in appearance and in capability; the differences reportedly consisted of better armour on the T-90S, whereas the M-84AS has superior maneuverability. The M-84AS was also tested by the Kuwaiti Army as part of an international tender. New thermal imaging cameras were mounted for the commander and driver so that the tank can operate at night. It was fitted with the 125 mm 2A46M smooth-bore gun and a 1,200 hp diesel engine giving a maximum speed of 72 km/h.
M-84AS1
  • M-84AS1 (Serbia) – upgraded variant of the M-84AS, project failed to advance to serial production. Additional armour, including explosive reactive armour, integrated day-night sighting system with thermal imager, command information system, a soft-kill active protection system, new radio system, Remote-controlled weapons station with 12.7 mm machine gun, and CBRN protection equipment were all added.[20]
M-84AS2
  • M-84AS2 (Serbia) – upgraded variant of the M-84AS1, officially unveiled in 2020 and in serial production since 2024. The M-84AS2, tailored for platoon commanders, builds on the earlier AS1 prototype with refined subsystems. Its 125mm smoothbore gun, a Zastava-made evolution of the 2A46M, uses an autoloader to maintain an eight-round-per-minute firing rate, with ammunition including APFSDS rounds penetrating 500mm of armor at 2 km, programmable airburst munitions for infantry, and Refleks ATGMs for targets up to 5 km. A thermal sleeve improves barrel durability during sustained fire. The AS2’s protection suite features the domestically developed M19 explosive reactive armor (ERA), with enhanced coverage on the turret roof to counter top-attack threats like drones. Slat armor guards against RPGs, while a soft-kill active protection system, inspired by Russia’s Shtora-1, uses multispectral smoke and laser jammers to disrupt incoming missiles. A 360-degree laser and radar warning system alerts the crew to threats, complemented by automatic fire suppression and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection. The fire-control system includes a GEN III cooled thermal imager, short-wave infrared camera, and laser rangefinder, enabling target detection at 18 km. The commander’s stabilized panoramic sight supports hunter-killer operations, while a battlefield management system links the tank to broader networks. A stabilized 12.7mm remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) engages drones and infantry safely. Powered by a 1,000 hp V-46-TK diesel engine (upgradable to 1,200 hp), the 46-ton tank hits 60 km/h on roads and 45 km/h off-road, with a 600 km range. Upgraded tracks and suspension extend component life to 8,000 km.
  • M-84AS3 (Serbia) – upgraded variant of the M-84AS2, officially unveiled in 2025. It features an active protection system (likely of Israeli origin) similar to the Iron Fist system by Elbit Systems, designed to intercept incoming projectiles. The armor has been significantly enhanced with extended explosive reactive armour modules covering the entire length of the hull, replacing the previous lattice protection around the engine compartment. The turret includes a new niche whose function may be related to an upgraded autoloader or integration of additional subsystems. The fire control system has been modernized with an integrated day/night sighting system including thermal imager, laser warning receivers, and new sensors for improved situational awareness and targeting accuracy. The tank retains the 125 mm main gun with a thermal sleeve and supports a range of ammunition including programmable high-explosive and armor-piercing rounds. It is also equipped with a remote-controlled weapons station armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. Additional features include upgraded communications radios and CBRN protection systems. Though a proposal for a domestic-developed 1200 HP engine upgrade exists, the current powerplant remains close to previous versions, estimated around 1000 HP diesel engines.[21][22][23]

Operational history

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Desert Storm

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A Kuwaiti M-84 during Operation Desert Shield

Before the Persian Gulf War, Kuwait ordered 170 M-84ABs, 15 M-84ABI ARVs and 15 M-84ABK command tanks, from Yugoslavia. Four M-84A tanks were delivered; however, the Iraqi Army 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.[2] During the retaking of the country, the 35th Brigade did not directly take part in battles with Iraqi tanks because of the M-84's similarity to Iraqi T-72 or Asad Babils. The M-84 was however very effective against T-62s and T-55s but some unconfirmed reports claim that a few of them were damaged, but recovered and repaired.

Yugoslav Wars

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Main article: Yugoslav Wars

Slovenia

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During the Ten-Day War, the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) attempted to regain control over border crossings, airports and other strategic positions in Slovenia. The Slovenian Territorial Defence had no armoured 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 ceasefire and Slovenia's independence was accepted.[citation needed]

Croatia

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The M-84 saw action in the Battle of Vukovar, where the JNA employed tanks against Croatian National Guardsmen (ZNG). Although the JNA ultimately prevailed, it's estimated they've lost around 100 tanks, including 20 M-84s to minefields and ambushes by ZNG anti-tank teams. Four of these M-84 tanks were knocked out during an ambush on Trpinjska Road, though entrenched JNA M-84s were successful in defeating a Croatian counteroffensive, knocking out three T-55 tanks.[2]

Bosnia and Herzegovina

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During the Bosnian War, M-84s were used by Croatian forces in the Krajina region, and in the Siege of Sarajevo by both the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) and (in smaller numbers) the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[2]

In the mountainous terrain of the Bosnian theater, the limited main gun elevation/depression proved to be a problem, while the use of Pakistani-supplied HJ-8 anti-tank guided missiles by Bosnian forces proved to be a threat. While the frontal armor of the M-84 was reportedly never penetrated during the conflict, around 40 M-84s were lost by all sides (though some were repairable) at the end of the conflict, mostly from hits at the thinner lower-side armor or anti-tank mines penetrating the belly armor, causing the ammunition stored in the crew compartment to detonate, often resulting in turrets popping off.[2]

Preševo Valley

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The M-84 was used by Yugoslav ground forces in the Battle of Oraovica during the Insurgency in the Preševo Valley.[2]

Ukrainian M-84A4 Sniper tank.

Russo-Ukrainian War

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On September 2025, Ukrainian 141st Separate Mechanized Brigade seen using Croatian M-84A4 tanks first delivered in December 2024.[24]

Operators

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Map with M-84 operators in blue with former operators in red
Croatian Army M-84A4
Kuwaiti M-84AB
Slovenian M-84

Current

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Croatia
Kuwait
  • The Kuwaiti Army has 75 M-84ABs in active service and 75 in storage as of 2024.[27]
Serbia
Serbian M-84AS2
Slovenia
  • The Slovenian Army had 40 M-84 tanks in 2011.[29] As of 2024, 14 remain operational for training-only while 32 remain in storage.[30] All tanks were upgraded to the M-84A4 Sniper variant. A German offer of sending German-made vehicles in exchange of M-84A4s for Ukraine fell through.[2]
    • 14 are used by 45th center of tracked combat vehicles in Pivka[31]
Ukraine
  • 30 M-84A4 Sniper donated by Croatia in 2024.[26]

Former

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Yugoslavia
  • The Yugoslav People's Army operated about 450 M-84s in M-84 and M-84A versions. The M-84 was intended to fully replace the T-34, M4 Sherman and M47 Patton tanks then held in storage as well as some of the older T-55 units. Most JNA tanks were passed to the successor state – FR Yugoslavia, while a number was also captured by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia in the war.
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Serbia and Montenegro Serbia and Montenegro
Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Republika Srpska
Republic of Serbian Krajina
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iraq

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Worldwide Equipment Guide" (PDF). Federation of American Scientists. TRADOC. section 4, pages 17-18. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Roblin, Sébastien (2 February 2024). "The Fearsome Tanks That Fought Saddam Hussein May Soon Come for Vladimir Putin". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Prizvodnja tenka M-84". srpskioklop.paluba.info. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Kovačnica: Gusenice Za Jugoslovenski Tenk M84 I Ruski T 72". 5 February 2020. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Obeležen Dan Tehničko-remontnog zavoda | MediaPortal.rs". Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  6. ^ "TRZ Čačak obeležio 91 godinu postojanja – Cilj osvajanje remonta tenka M-84". Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Najbolji domaći tenk brani se dimnim kutijama od lasera". Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Može li SEVER da remontuje tenkove M – 84". 21 April 2011. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  9. ^ "FABRIKA SPECIJALNIH PROIZVODA". Archived from the original on 10 April 2009.
  10. ^ "Prva petoletka: Inženjeri neće biti problem – Ekonomija – Dnevni list Danas". 27 April 2011. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Жироблок Archives". Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Zastava Kovačnica". zastava-kovacnica-kg.rs. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  13. ^ "Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices: 1945-1995". 1996. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Body shell with copper ring HE 125mm M86P1 (for tank M-84)". Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Body shell with copper ring 125mm HEAT-T". Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  16. ^ "Combat vehicle subsystems | SDPR – Yugoimport". yugoimport.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  17. ^ "Tеnk M-84AB1 | SDPR – Yugoimport". Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Imtel Komunikacije". Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Holistic Approach to MBT development" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2008.
  20. ^ Foss, Christopher F (6 July 2017). "Serbia takes wraps off enhanced M-84 MBT offerings". IHS Jane's 360. Belgrade. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  21. ^ https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2025/09/24/serbia-unveils-new-m-84as3-tank-with-active-protection-system/
  22. ^ https://defence-blog.com/serbia-shows-new-m-84as3-tank-with-active-protection-system/
  23. ^ https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/serbia-debuts-new-m-84as3-tank-to-counter-modern-anti-tank-weapons
  24. ^ "Ukraine's Battlefield Surprise as Croatian M-84 Tanks Arrive in Upgraded Form | Defense Express". en.defence-ua.com. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  25. ^ IISS 2024, p. 79.
  26. ^ a b "View/download register of transfers of major arms". SIPRI arms transfers database. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  27. ^ IISS 2024a, p. 366.
  28. ^ IISS 2024, p. 133.
  29. ^ a b c Foss 2011, p. 138.
  30. ^ IISS 2024, p. 137.
  31. ^ vojak, Postani. "45. center goseničnih bojnih vozil". Postani vojak (in Slovenian). Archived from the original on 12 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h Thomas & Mikulan 2006, p. 9.
  33. ^ Thomas & Mikulan 2013, p. 41.
  34. ^ a b c d Thomas & Mikulan 2013, p. 45.
  35. ^ "Tenkovi M84 u redovima ARBiH". 30 July 2016. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  36. ^ "Centre for Southeast European Studies". Archived from the original on 26 January 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  37. ^ IISS 1995, p. 82.
  38. ^ IISS 2024, p. 75.

Bibliography

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