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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Tank M-84AB1

Short history:
Yugoslav licensed built upgraded T-72, 502 M-84 & M-84A has been built for YPA (Yugoslav People's Army) when the war begin. In service with Croatia (45?), Kuwait (149?), Slovenia (44?) and Yugoslavia (290?).
License production rights purchased in 1979 by Yugoslav government. First prototype was built in 1982 and production started in 1984. Over 700 have been built.
Kuwait ordered 200 M-84s in 1989, including 15 command tanks and 15 ARVs. About 12 where delivered before Iraqi invasion in 1990, during the war further shipment was delivered.


Combat history:
First taste of combat was with 35th Kuwaiti Armored Brigade 'Fatah' during the Gulf War. During the war in former Yugoslavia most of the tanks where kept at safe distance, they where too valuable to be lost in city fighting's. When used in combat it's frontal armor is impenetrable but it's sides (and rear) can be penetrated by most anti-tank weapons - good infantry support is required.

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