With Modern Trainers to Full Combat Readiness of Tank Crewmen
Friday, 31.1.2025 | Training
As part of the process of comprehensive strengthening of the Serbian Armed Forces, which primarily takes place through acquiring modern combat assets and improving the training system, simulators and trainers are also procured that enable the achievement of the required standards of training using the minimum amount of resources.
One of these assets is a trainer for training the crew of the M-84 — TOPoT, used at the Army Training Centre in Požarevac for training soldiers on military service and professional personnel of armored units.
The trainer is a product of the Military Technical Institute and was presented to the Serbian public for the first time in 2021. As an advanced asset for training and conditioning soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers, it provides the end users with the entire training process using computer simulation, from familiarization with the hardware of the combat vehicle to dealing with complex tactical scenarios.
Commander of the Armored Units Training Company, Captain 1st Class Milan Živančević, pointed out that the TOPoT was developed on the basis of the already existing trainers that had been used to develop the ability of tank drivers at an individual level and that the main difference can be seen in the instructor's station through which the instructor can participate actively in the training, coordinating actions with the aim of achieving the planned mission, since he has a clear picture of the activities of all crew members.
— The trainer consists of the control and combat squad, i.e. of two cabins, which are in fact imitations of these squads, and represent the workplaces of the driver, commander and gunner, connected with the original parts of the tank, thus enabling work in the trainer to be as much as possible similar to real conditions — said Captain Živančević, stressing that this asset was primarily used in the initial phase of training when participants were preparing for firing, with clear indicators of the success of each individual, based on which final conclusions could be drawn about the level of improvement.
On the trainer, soldiers and officers are becoming familiar with the correct use of devices in tank compartments, driving models in combat and marching mode, as well as certain procedures when detecting and identifying targets, and especially with the rules for handling the fire control system.
After the training with the trainer, the tank crews carry out tactical drills, tactical exercises and live firing in order to achieve full combat readiness to perform specific tasks on operations of the Serbian Armed Forces.
Young men and women willing to become tank crewmen of the Serbian Armed Forces can apply to the competition for joining to tank, artillery and mechanized units of the Serbian Armed Forces, which is open until February 15. This will provide them with the opportunity to work with the most powerful and useful combat systems of the Army, get secure employment, retirement benefits, high-standard military health insurance for themselves and their family members, and the possibility of continuous training and advancement in the service. Citizens of the Republic of Serbia under the age of 30 can apply for the competition, regardless of whether they have performed military service or not.
