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2023-10-01

Russia is Increasing Protectability of its Tanks

The results of the use of Russian armoured vehicles during a special military operation (SVO) in Ukraine are quickly analysed by specialists and refined to improve protectability on the battlefield. As combat operations have shown, armoured vehicles are disabled not only by anti-tank weapons, loitering ammunition and FPV-drones, but also as a result of artillery shelling or missile attacks from long distances. In this case, the enemy detects the armoured vehicles using satellite or aviation reconnaissance means.

By Dr. Nick

New technologies for increasing the protectability of main battle tanks are associated, first of all, with reducing their observability from air and space surveillance and reconnaissance systems, as well as enhancing protection against anti- tank guided missiles, loitering munitions and FPV-drones.

Some of these technologies were presented in August at the International Military-Technical Forum “Army-2023”, where the Ministry of Defense, as part of the exhibition “Tanks and armoured vehicles”, showed the T-14, T-90M, T-72B3M, T-80BVM, T-62M and BMPT-72 tank support combat vehicle.

The greatest interest among specialists and visitors to the exhibition was caused by tanks equipped with radar-absorbing material “Cape” (Nakidka), additional sections of dynamic protection on the sides, stern and frontal part. To enhance the protection of the upper hemisphere, visors with anti-cumulative shields, dynamic protection elements and a modular electronic countermeasures (ECM) complex system were installed on the turrets of some tanks, allowing them to block the control and data transmission channels of FPV-drones.

As reported by JSC “Research Institute of Steel” (NII Stali, part of the Kalashnikov concern), the company supplies “Cape” radar-absorbing material for tanks used in combat operations. The “Cape” material reduces the observability of tanks and other military equipment in a wide range of wavelengths. This material is supplied to enterprises for the production and repair of armoured vehicles to equip tanks transferred to the Ministry of Defense.

The “Cape” material protects the tank primarily from detection by radar and thermal imaging reconnaissance devices, and its deforming colouring also provides optical camouflage.

“Today, the “Cape” is becoming a mandatory element of the acquisition of Russian armoured vehicles sent to combat zones,” the Kalashnikov concern emphasised.

The turret of the new T-80BVM tank is now equipped with a protective mesh with metal elements, which first appeared on the T-90M tank. A representative of Uralvagonzavod explained the principle of its operation, which is that when a rocket-propelled grenade or anti-tank guided missile hits this mesh, “the metal elements compress the warhead and prevent it from detonating.”

For the first time at “Army-2023”, the T-80BVM was presented with an ECM station for countering satellite navigation and control channels for FPV-drones. The antennas of the ECM station, which have a “mushroom shape”, are installed on the tank turret and form a circular radiation pattern with radiation into the upper hemisphere.

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