In our country, several complexes of active protection of armored vehicles of the Arena family have been created. These products have repeatedly confirmed their high characteristics during tests, but have not yet reached the point of adoption. Right now, work is underway on a new modification of the "Arena-M", which may enter the troops in the foreseeable future. It is not known when this will happen, but some recent reports and events allow us to make optimistic forecasts.
New modification
All projects of the Arena family were developed by NPK Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (Kolomna). In 2013, the corporation presented another KAZ of this line called "Arena-E" in export version. Then, at one of the domestic exhibitions, a modernized T-72 tank was demonstrated, on the turret of which the model units of the new KAZ were located. Subsequently, the new name "Arena-M" appeared.
In 2017, after another demonstration of Arena-M at the exhibition, the management of NPK KBM revealed the prospects for this development. It was argued that KAZ is being tested under the supervision of the command of the ground forces. In the future, "Arena-M" will be installed on the upgraded T-72 and T-90 tanks. No details were released at that time.
In June 2018, information on the future delivery of KAZ of the T09-A6 type appeared on the public procurement resource. The customer of these products was the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering (part of the NPK Uralvagonzavod). The complexes were supposed to be used in the modernization of T-72B3 tanks. Later it became clear that the “Arena-M” product was hidden under the “T09-A6” designation.
In November 2019, it became known that a new type of KAZ reached tests on a standard carrier. A photo of the T-72B3 tank with all the equipment and assemblies of the active protection complex on the turret has got into free access. The date, place and circumstances of the shooting remained unknown: the landscape, flora and watermelon on the tank turret did not give any specifics.
For the first time on the screen
On June 27, 2021, Channel One showed the next issue of the Sentinel TV program, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the 38th Research Institute of Armored Weapons and Equipment. For the first time, it showed the combat work of the promising Arena-M KAZ installed on the T-72B3 MBT. Previously, such shots have not been published, although the use of the previous "Arenas" has been demonstrated more than once.
A standard grenade was fired into the side view of the tank from an RPG-7 grenade launcher. The KAZ automatics detected the threat in time and, when it approached, fired a protective ammunition. At a given moment in time, the latter triggered, created a field of fragments and successfully detonated an approaching grenade. A characteristic smoke ring remained from the flying grenade; the tank shouldn't have suffered.
Technical features
The Arena-M complex, like its predecessors, is designed to intercept incoming anti-tank ammunition at a safe distance from the tank. This KAZ was developed based on the experience and solutions of previous family projects, but includes a number of new ideas. First of all, a fundamentally new architecture of the main units was introduced, simplifying the installation of the complex on a carrier tank and increasing survivability.
The new KAZ includes radar threat detection, control automation and launchers with protective ammunition. Unlike the previous "Arenas", not a single radar unit on the tower roof is used, but several separate small-sized antennas. They are placed around the perimeter of the carrier tower and provide all-round visibility.
Previously, defensive ammunition launchers were placed in a row on the forehead or sides of the turret. The Arena-M project uses two larger launchers with a different placement. The installation is made in a protected case and includes two launchers with two protective ammunition in each. The design of the installation provides firing in different directions without turning the turret.
Control equipment is installed inside the fighting compartment. It operates in a fully automatic mode and provides constant monitoring of the surrounding space, detection and determination of the degree of danger of approaching objects. Also, the automation gives the command to turn the turret and launch a protective ammunition. According to the principle of operation, "Arena-M" is almost no different from other domestic KAZ.
The new "Arena-M" compares favorably with its greater survivability, due to the absence of a large radar unit and the presence of armor on the launchers, from previous complexes. In addition, modern developments and technologies can improve performance and combat effectiveness.
According to various sources, KAZ "Arena-M" still does not solve some typical problems. So, the complex cannot hit sub-caliber projectiles; its potential against weapons attacking from the upper hemisphere is unknown. There are other pressing threats that need to be considered when developing tank protection.
Path to the troops
For a number of reasons, until now KAZ has not been used on the combat tanks of the Russian army. In the near future, the situation may change, and such plans are directly related to the promising Arena-M. However, the situation remains uncertain, and the ways of its further development are not specified.
Several years ago, representatives of NPK KBM spoke about testing the complex and about its future installation on existing MBT types. Subsequent news, including the latest footage, confirmed the installation and testing of Arena-M on T-72B3 tanks. This means that the work continues, although it has not yet reached its completion.
It was reported that "Arena-M" can be used on T-72 and T-90 tanks as part of modernization. According to some reports, the latest modification of the T-80 can also become its carrier. Not so long ago, interesting news came in on this score.
So, in April 2021, the press service of the Eastern Military District announced the delivery of the first batch of modernized MBT T-80BVM. It was reported that the tank is equipped with lattice screens, reactive armor "Relik" and KAZ "Arena-M". At the same time, active protection units were absent in the published photographs. Most likely, there was some mistake, but other interpretations are also possible, incl. the most optimistic.
Positive prospects
Thus, a specific situation remains in the sphere of domestic means of active protection of armored vehicles. The promising Arena-M KAZ has been developed and tested, which has already confirmed its full compatibility with the modern T-72B3. On the other hand, so far we are talking only about tests of such a system, which have been going on for several years, and the timing of their completion and the launch time of the series are unknown. Meanwhile, the massive modernization of existing tanks continues without the use of KAZ.
However, our army will not be left without active protection. There is real interest in this topic, and KAZ has even been included in the technical specifications for the new generation of armored vehicles. Promising T-14 tanks or BMP Kurganets-25 will receive not only armor, but also active protection complexes for promising models. And along with them, the existing fleet of T-72, T-80 and T-90 under construction and renovation can receive similar funds. However, this will only happen after the completion of the current work.
