M-95 Degman Main Battle Tank (Croatia)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 14/01/2023

The M-95 Degman main battle tank is a further development of the Yugoslavian M-84 MBT, which in turn is a version of Soviet T-72. The M-95 Degman was introduced in 1995, hence its designation. Existing M-84 ranks upgraded to the M-95 Degman standard are designated as the M-84D.

The main Degman's improvement over its predecessor is an application of new armor package. Explosive reactive armor blocks are mounted over the original composite/steel armor.

Vehicle is fitted with a 125 mm smoothbore gun, fitted with an autoloader. This gun is made in Croatia and is slightly improved comparing with the Soviet 125 mm tank gun of the T-72. The M-95 Degman has a maximum rate of fire of 8 rounds per minute. It fires three types of ammunition, including AP-FSDS, HEAT and HE rounds. Autoloader holds 22 rounds, while the rest of ammunition is stored in the combat compartment.

Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and a roof-mounted 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.

This new main battle tank also has a number of changes in fire control system, sensors, observation devices, night vision and communication equipment, targeting system and so on.

Vehicle has a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver.

The M-95 Degman main battle tank is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 000 horsepower. As refurbished M-84Ds weight more than the brand new M-95 there is also an optional 1 200 hp diesel power pack. This MBT is fitted with a self-entrenching blade.

Only two M-95 Degmans were built. Croatia planned to upgrade its M-84 tank fleet to the M-84D standard. It is possible that the M-95 will be further upgraded in the near future. In 2007 Kuwait was negotiating with Croatia to upgrade 150 of its ex-Yugoslavian M-84 main battle tanks and to manufacture another 66 vehicles.