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[[Image:M95_interior_shot.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[M- |
[[Image:M95_interior_shot.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[M-95]] Interior - Digital battlefield management system]] |
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The principal improvement over the [[M-84]] is the application of explosive reactive armor on the turret, hull front and side skirts, offering more protection against [[HEAT]] shaped-charge munitions as well as separate ammunition compartment at the back of the turret a bustle which protects the crew if tank gets hit from behind. Đuro Đaković offers optional [[thermal imaging]], which would allow enhanced night activity and optional {{convert|1200|hp|abbr=on}} engine, which would raise the power to weight ratio to approximately 27 hp/t. There are also numerous smaller changes in [[fire control]], communications equipment, track etc. The Degman has also a 15% faster auto loader meaning 9 shells per minute instead of 8 shells per minute.<ref>http://www.hrbi.hr/_images/files/izdavastvo_52.pdf</ref> |
The principal improvement over the [[M-84]] is the application of explosive reactive armor on the turret, hull front and side skirts, offering more protection against [[HEAT]] shaped-charge munitions as well as separate ammunition compartment at the back of the turret a bustle which protects the crew if tank gets hit from behind. Đuro Đaković offers optional [[thermal imaging]], which would allow enhanced night activity and optional {{convert|1200|hp|abbr=on}} engine, which would raise the power to weight ratio to approximately 27 hp/t. There are also numerous smaller changes in [[fire control]], communications equipment, track etc. The Degman has also a 15% faster auto loader meaning 9 shells per minute instead of 8 shells per minute.<ref>http://www.hrbi.hr/_images/files/izdavastvo_52.pdf</ref> |
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Revision as of 06:31, 2 February 2008
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Degman_041.jpg/310px-Degman_041.jpg)
M-95 Degman | |
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Type | Main battle tank |
Place of origin | ![]() |
Specifications | |
Mass | 44.5-48.5 tonnes without reactive armour |
Length | 10.1 m |
Width | 3.6 m |
Height | 2.2 m |
Crew | 3 (commander, driver and gunner) |
Armor | over composite armour plus RRAK explosive armour |
Main armament | 125 mm smoothbore |
Secondary armament | remotely operated machine gun |
Engine | 12-cyl. diesel 1200 hp (895 kW) |
Power/weight | 27 hp/tonne |
Suspension | independent, with torsion bars, 6 hydraulic dampers, 6 road wheels and 3 return rollers per side |
Operational range | 700 km |
Maximum speed | 70 km/h |
M-95 Degman is a prototype Croatian main battle tank, developed in the factory Đuro Đaković specijalna vozila d.d., located in Slavonski Brod, Croatia. The Đuro Đaković factory is best known for its principal role in the production of M-84, a Yugoslav version of the Soviet T-72 MBT produced under licence. M-95 Degman represents a further development on the M-84.
The principal improvement over the M-84 is the application of explosive reactive armor on the turret, hull front and side skirts, offering more protection against HEAT shaped-charge munitions as well as separate ammunition compartment at the back of the turret a bustle which protects the crew if tank gets hit from behind. Đuro Đaković offers optional thermal imaging, which would allow enhanced night activity and optional 1,200 hp (890 kW) engine, which would raise the power to weight ratio to approximately 27 hp/t. There are also numerous smaller changes in fire control, communications equipment, track etc. The Degman has also a 15% faster auto loader meaning 9 shells per minute instead of 8 shells per minute.[1]
The Degman M-95 has not entered serial production yet, however two prototypes were ordered by the Croatian Government, a M-95 model and the other M-84D sample. Đuro Đaković is going to be producing the export version of the M-95 under the designation M-84D, essentially a M-95 Degman with significant upgrades. The Kuwaiti Army has confirmed interest in modernizing its 150 dated M-84 to the new M-84D standard, as well as the procurement of an additional 66 new M-84D's.[2].
Altogether, new turret and new tracks are to replace existing turret and tracks; turret will be made of composite armor (most likely laminate of titanium steel, ceramics and tungsten). It will be powered by electric instead of hydraulic power source as it is the case now with the M-95. The new turret should provide minimum of 800 mm Against Kinetic Energy (RHAe) ATGs, however additional reactive armor will add substantial protection. The M84D among other will also get new tracks, production of which is planned with the cooperation of German track manufacturer Deihl somewhere in Croatia.
M-95 might be armed either with the improved Croatian-made 125 mm cannon or German Rheinmetall L55 120 mm cannon.
New optronic and sensors will also feature prominently in new improved M-95 (M-84D) tank. New Fire control, laser rangefinder, stabilized panoramic observation and targeting system are just some of the improvements. New thermal imaging camera for commander and driver so tank can operate at night and many more improvements including new 1,200 hp (890 kW) power plant enabling higher power to weight ratio.
With all upgrades to M95, weight of the tank will also increase from current 44.5 tons to 48.5 tons (excluding side skirts and reactive armor).
History, Production and modernization
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Degman_06_v.jpg/200px-Degman_06_v.jpg)
M-95 Degman tank was largely based on M-91 Vihor tank. Full working prototype of Vihor tank completed basic testing at the Đuro Đaković (factory) but due the hostilities in mid 1991 tank was never delivered to JNA. Đuro Đaković (factory) was already working on 2nd prototype (hull was completed) but due to the hostilities works on 2nd Vihor stalled until 1994 when it was completed with the new turret.
Meanwhile, 1st prototype was upgraded and modernized, powerful 1200Hp engine was installed which provides higher power to weight ratio, storage basket and slat armor at the back of the turret where added, increasing the protection to the tank. Racal communication suite was installed to improve range and digital battlefield compatibility, new CBRN suite was also added, SZ 2000 CBRN suite gives substantially superior performance over the older nbc suite used on M-84 tank; in times of nuclear or chemical/biological warfare, SZ-2000 shuts the engines down and automatically filters fresh air in to the tank.
Optics and fire control system was developed by Fotona, Slovenian company, and now comes as standard on all current Croatian and Slovene M-84 tanks. Vihor/M95 tank received new laser range finder, LIRD-4B - Laser irradiation detector and warner. Fontona/Rade Koncar/Djuro Djakovic digital battlefield computer was added to improve battlefield performance of the tank. Diehl provided new tracks giving the tank better performance on road and off the road.
Project received considerable assistance from Elbit of Israel. Explosive Reactive Armor developed by Elbit is one major upgrade and gives distinctive look to M95 tank. Rafael - Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station which consist of 12.7mm heavy machine gun and 40mm grenade launcher is another upgrade. Remote Controlled Weapon Station acts also as commander's independent thermal viewer. Additional upgrades are planed, new 120mm compact gun developed by RUAG Defence of Switzerland and few additional systems including LAHAT anti tank missiles.
Operators
Croatia 75; Croatian Army plans to upgrade all its M-84 tanks to M95/M84D standard
Kuwait - 215; planned modernization of 149 M-84AB to M-84D standard, as well as 66 new M-84D's.
Gallery
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Vihor M-91 tank before upgrade to M-95Vihor M-91 tank before upgrade to M-95
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Early M95 prototype, year is 1995.Early M95 prototype, year is 1995.
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M-95 Degman being testedM-95 Degman being tested
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M-95 Degman Main Battle TankM-95 Degman Main Battle Tank