M-2001

Infobox Weapon
name=M-2001


caption=Serbian Army M-2001 MBT
origin=Serbia
type=Main battle tank
is_vehicle=yes
service=2004 -under development
used_by=Serbia
wars=
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=
unit_cost=
production_date=
number=~18 (240 planned, 212 for Serbia)
variants=
crew=3 (Commander, gunner, driver)
length=9.53 m
width=3.37 m
height=2.23 m
weight=45 tonnes
armour=cylindrical pad, high-hardness steel, titanium, aluminum, Tungsten, NERA plus modular Kontakt-5
primary_armament=125 mm 2A46M smooth bore gun and a 9M119 Svir
secondary_armament=7.62 mm M86 coaxial machine gun, 12.7 mm M87 anti-aircraft machine gun |engine=diesel
engine_power=1,200 hp
transmission=
fuel_capacity=
suspension=torsion bar
clearance=
speed=72 km/h
pw_ratio=26.7 hp/tonne
vehicle_range=700 km

The M-2001 is a modernized version of the M-84 main battle tank being produced by Yugoimport SDPR in Serbia. It was first presented in 2004 as the M-84AB1, but additional improvements led to the M-2001. This new tank is equipped with an improved fire-control system with integrated day/night sight.Fact|date=October 2007 The M84A1 gun was replaced with a similar but improved gun which, along with better control characteristics, enables easy and fast replacement of the cannon barrel in field.Fact|date=October 2007 The M-2001 tank is able to fire Anti-tank guided missiles with laser guidance through the barrel, which enables accurate engagement of enemy tanks up to 9 km.

The M-2001 is equipped with non-explosive and non-energetic reactive armour (NERA) which offers protection against modern tandem cumulative warheads.Fact|date=October 2007 Beside better armor, the new tank is equipped with modern electro-optical system for defense against wire and laser guided anti-tank missiles. The 12.7 mm M87 anti-aircraft machine gun can destroy aircraft.The new turret will provide protection against Kinetic Energy (RHAe) ATGs. Its new 9M119 Svir a laser beam riding guided anti-tank missiles design to penetrate 950 mm of RHA. Shtora is an electro-optical active protection suite for tanks, designed to disrupt the laser target designation and rangefinders of incoming anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).

Modernization

The commission for all M-84 tanks currently in service are to be brought up to M-2001 standard is currently being drawn up. With these an estimated 212 M-2001 tanks are on there way. The project is expected to cost in the millions and span over the next 3 years to fully complete.Fact|date=October 2007.

Production history

Developed originally from the M-84 the M-2001 sought more than just a quick tweak to bring it up to standard, many successes were adopted from what can be argued as its sister tank (T-90) with a slight difference in armour and maneuverability, the T-90 being better armored and the M-2001 being faster and more maneuverable.

Apart from a physical difference to the M-84, it also has a different internal structure and equipment by far surpassing what the M-84AB variant and others in both capability and durability.

ee also

*M-84
*T-72
*T-84
*T-90
*PT-91

Photo Gallery

External links

* [http://www.odbrana.mod.gov.yu/odbrana001/64-65.pdf Article on the M84-AB1, published in "Odbrana"] (.pdf, in Serbian)
* [http://members.lycos.co.uk/oklop/m2001.htm Tenk M-84AB1 in Serbian]