The Russian active protection system (APS) "Arena-M" from Kolomna KBM, part of the "High-Precision Systems" holding of the Rostec State Corporation, is still undergoing testing.
The head of the Ministry of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, demanded that work on improving the complex be accelerated during a visit to KBM.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Defense, the minister, along with samples of the "Chrysanthemum-S" anti-tank missile system with modernized "Chrysanthemum-M" anti-tank guided missiles, the "Gibka-S" MANPADS combat vehicle, and the "Dzhigit" support-launching installation with "Verba" MANPADS missiles, was also shown the "Arena-M". The developers reported on how the complex is being prepared for launch into production and transfer to the balance sheet of the Ministry of Defense.
This active protection system, designed to protect against enemy anti-tank weapons, is presented for qualification tests. At the same time, we are working to improve the complex to protect against loitering drones.
However, the head of the Ministry of Defense demanded to speed up the work.
It needs to be done faster.
The complex is planned to be installed on T-72, T-80, and T-90 tanks; a T-72B3M sample with "Arena-M" has already been patented.
<b>What is known about "Arena-M"?</b>
This APS has been under development for several years and has been presented at a number of international arms exhibitions. In an interview with the Zvezda TV channel on the "Military Acceptance. Tank. Mission-Protection" program in 2021, representatives of KBM noted that it was the "smart" "Arena-M" complex with its own radar and electronic brain that gave impetus to the development of similar APS abroad.
The characteristics of "Arena-M" allow protecting the tank from grenades, anti-tank cumulative charges, ATGMs, and projectiles. This is achieved through twelve shafts with protective ammunition placed on the turret brackets.
The complex, due to a radar station with high noise immunity, provides all-round protection of the tank, taking into account the correction of the position of ammunition in azimuth during flight after firing.
The "Arena-M" radar station detects a target at a distance of 50 meters. When approaching closer than 50 meters, the station detects the target, selects it by speed, that is, it finds out that it is really a projectile, and not some kind of bird or something. If this projectile is flying into the tank, then the point where it hits is calculated. At a certain moment, a command is given to fire striking elements towards the ammunition.
That is, when enemy ammunition approaches the tank from any direction, it ends up under a directed stream of striking elements. The complex sends them towards each target and neutralizes it before approaching the tank.
According to "Rossiyskaya Gazeta", the "Arena-M" complex has now successfully passed tests not only with Russian anti-tank systems, but also with foreign systems.