Russia Equips T-72B3M Tanks with Advanced Arena-M Active Protection System.

According to information published by Uralvagonzavod on October 25, 2024, Russia has upgraded its T-72B3M main battle tanks with the Arena-M Active Protection System (APS). This move reflects a commitment to enhancing the tank's defensive capabilities amid an era of increasingly potent anti-tank weaponry.
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Russia enhances the T-72B3M tank's battlefield resilience with the Arena-M Active Protection System, designed to intercept and neutralize incoming anti-tank missiles and RPGs, ensuring advanced defense in modern combat scenarios. (Picture source: Telegram account of Уралвагонзавод)

The T-72B3M represents the latest iteration of the T-72 series, featuring substantial upgrades over its predecessors in terms of firepower, mobility, and protection. Key improvements to the T-72B3M include an upgraded fire control system, a 1,130 hp V-92S2F engine, and advanced sighting equipment. However, the inclusion of the Arena-M APS marks a particularly notable enhancement, aimed at safeguarding the tank and its crew against an array of anti-tank threats.

The Arena-M is a Russian-designed active protection system created to intercept and destroy incoming projectiles, such as anti-tank missiles and rockets, before they reach the tank. The system uses a radar array to detect and track incoming threats within a certain radius around the vehicle. Once a threat is detected, Arena-M calculates its trajectory, allowing the system to deploy countermeasures that neutralize the projectile at a safe distance.

The APS is specifically designed to handle threats from multiple directions, enhancing protection against high-speed projectiles fired from modern anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) or rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). This added layer of defense significantly reduces the likelihood of armor penetration, thus improving the survivability of the T-72B3M on the battlefield.

Russia’s choice to integrate the Arena-M system into the T-72B3M rather than reserving it exclusively for newer tanks like the T-90M and T-14 Armata underscores the continued relevance of the T-72 in modern warfare. With over 25,000 units produced since its inception in the 1970s, the T-72 has seen widespread deployment across various theaters and remains in service with numerous militaries worldwide. Upgrading these tanks with APS technology extends their operational lifespan, making them capable of countering threats posed by the latest anti-tank systems.

The T-72B3M’s combination of affordability, ease of maintenance, and robust firepower makes it a versatile asset for large-scale military operations. The addition of the Arena-M APS, with its ability to repel contemporary anti-tank weaponry, ensures that the T-72B3M remains relevant in scenarios that demand both maneuverability and resilience.

Russia’s decision to install the Arena-M system on its main battle tanks reflects a growing trend within the global military community toward equipping armored vehicles with active protection systems. As anti-tank weapon technology advances, the need for countermeasures has become increasingly critical. Arena-M’s effectiveness and the expanded protection it provides offer a glimpse into future armored warfare, where active defenses could be as crucial as the armor itself.

While the current configuration of the T-72B3M with the Arena-M APS offers substantial protection, experts speculate that future variants could incorporate additional features, including modular reactive armor and more advanced electronic warfare countermeasures. Such enhancements would further augment the tank’s ability to operate in contested environments where electronic and cyber warfare elements are increasingly prevalent.