Lazanski: The Serbian Army received powerful tanks from Russia

23. May 2021.
The modernized T-72B1MS tanks, which the Serbian Army received from Russia, most likely have anti-neutron armor, which makes them currently the best tanks in the Balkans, said Serbian Ambassador to Russia, Miroslav Lazanski.

Commenting on the news that the Russian Federation has delivered to Serbia a total of 30 T-72 tanks, also known as the "white eagle", and 30 BRDM-2 armored combat vehicles, valued at about $70 million, Lazanski said that this will significantly strengthen The Serbian Army.

"We also had BRDM-2 armored vehicles as part of the Yugoslav People's Army, but this version is additionally armored with new sighting devices, the vehicles are much more mobile, their engine is stronger, of a newer type. They are amphibious vehicles, which is an important reinforcement for the Army of Serbia. Not to mention the tanks", said Lazanski, as the Sputnik portal reports.

The ambassador notes that the improved version of the T-72 tank, which Serbia received from Russia, is a more modern tank than the basic version of the M-84, which was a product of the SFRY military industry.

Speaking about the characteristics of the modernized T-72 tanks, Lazanski states that they have a stronger engine, as well as a barrel from which an anti-tank guided missile can be fired, and not just an anti-tank grenade.
   
"They have better sighting devices, not to mention additional antineutron armor. This means that when that tank comes under the action of a neutron bomb, it can eliminate the crew, but the tank will stay intact. I think because of the stronger engine its speed is higher, it also has stronger caterpillars, radio electronics, complete equipment. So, it's completely new. When you see how they modernized it, it's clear that its basic shell has stayed the same while everything else is new. So, it's practically a new tank and that's a large donation from the Russian Federation to the state of Serbia", Ambassador Lazanski assesses.
 
He pointed out that the Serbian Army received the largest donations from the Russian Federation – six MiG-29 planes, 30 T-72MS tanks and 20 BRDM-2MS armored reconnaissance vehicles.