Russia has introduced an upgraded version of its Arena active protection system, now known as Arena-M, at the Armija-2024 military expo.
Technology from Soviet Era
This system is designed to protect high-value military assets like the T-90M Proryv tanks and TOS-1A rocket launchers from advanced threats, including anti-tank missiles and drones, according to Tech.
The development of Arena-M is a response to the significant losses Russia has faced on the front lines, forcing the country to revisit and modernize technology originally conceived during the Soviet era in the 1980s.
The Arena-M system is engineered to intercept and neutralize incoming projectiles before they reach their target. It is particularly focused on countering modern Western-guided missiles like the Javelin and smaller, agile threats like FPV drones.
Safety Issue Causes Unintended Casualties
Despite the fact that they were touted as a solution to battlefield vulnerabilities, the Arena-M’s effectiveness remains unproven in real combat.
While the system is expected to be integrated into Russian armored vehicles, it still requires further documentation and testing, which is currently being managed by Uralvagonzavod, a major Russian defense contractor.
One of the significant concerns surrounding Arena-M, as with other active protection systems, is the danger it poses to nearby soldiers.
The system works by detonating incoming threats with a cloud of shrapnel, which, while protecting the armored vehicle, creates a hazardous environment for any personnel in the vicinity.
This safety issue is not unique to Arena-M; similar systems have caused unintended casualties in other military settings.
For instance, Israel's Trophy system, despite its effectiveness in protecting tanks, has led to accidents where soldiers deactivated the system to avoid harming themselves, resulting in the destruction of their tanks.
