T-72B3

2023: Development of the T-72B3 tank with the Arena-M active protection complex

The Russian Ministry of Defense has patented a sample of the T-72B3 tank with the Arena-M active protection complex installed on it, which includes a multifunctional radar station (radar) with high noise immunity that detects targets. The corresponding document became known at the end of October 2023.

The action of the active defense complex is based on the principle of targeted destruction of flying anti-tank weapons by a directed stream of ready-made striking elements contained in a protective ammunition controlled by the radar control system of the active defense complex, which surveys the space in the entire protection sector during combat work, the invention description says to the patent (excerpt from TASS).

T-72B3 with the Arena-M active protection system installed on it

The active protection system includes 12 shafts with protective ammunition located on the tower brackets. These shafts provide circular protection of the tank, taking into account the correction of the position of ammunition in azimuth in flight after firing.

The Arena-M active protection complex was developed by the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau. For targeted destruction of shells, protective ammunition of narrow-directional action is used.

The radar tracks anti-tank missiles and rocket grenades fired by the enemy at the vehicle, after which the active defense system shoots a protective ammunition towards each target. As a result, the threat is neutralized even on approach to the tank. The complex works in automatic mode, providing protection from any direction - including in the upper hemisphere.

On April 5, 2023, the High-Precision Complexes holding reported that Arena-M, as part of the T-72 tank, confirmed its effectiveness in testing both with Russian anti-tank missile systems and with foreign captured ones. They emphasized that the adoption of the complex is in the final stage.^[1]

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