Kuwait interested in modernization of tanks M-84, after test in desert, job worth 300 million USD ?

The Army of Kuwait wants to modernize tanks M-84 and improve them to the level of Russian super-tank T-90S and that job will be, most probably, carried out by economy of Serbia and Montenegro, because tank M-84, which is part of armament of Kuwaiti Army, is product of former SFRJ, and "Yugoimport-SDPR" company developed upgrading process to the level of tank M-84AB1.

Kuwaiti authorities are about to make the direct decision for signing of the contract worth 300 million USD. Complete upgrading of aforementioned tank to the level of tank M-84AB1 was financed by "Yugoimport-SDPR".

After being introduced to the characteristics of new M-84AB1 on polygon Nikinci, near Belgrade, the Kuwaiti asked for testing in their desert. That was one spectacular shooting. Kuwaiti crew had excellent shots and then the big finale followed, the shooting of missile from the tank canon, because M-84AB1 is capable of launching missile from the canon of 125 mm. Director of "Yugoimport-SDPR", Stevan Nikčević, suggested to the Minister of Defense of Kuwait, Emir El Sabah, that they should decide for the distance of the target of the missile. By the way, maximal distance for that kind of shooting is up to 5,000 m. American tanks of type M-1 "abrams", which are also in the possession of the Army of Kuwait, launch missiles to the targets that are at the maximal distance of 3,000 m. Minister of Defense of Kuwait suggested that American maximum should not be exceeded, i.e. that the target should be put to the distance of 3,000 m. Kuwaiti crew launched 2 missiles and both of them hit the center of the target. Amazement of the Kuwaiti was endless.

It can be expected that the job with upgrading of Kuwaiti tanks M-84 to the level M-84AB1, which is, as a matter of fact, equivalent to the most modern Russian tank T-90S, will start at the end of 2005. That is the big chance for our economy because total value of the job is about 300 million USD.