Main battle tanks T-72B3M have received updated "Arena-M" active protection systems against drones, following their older counterparts – the T-90M "Proryv". Crews are already undergoing training specifically with this system.
The "Arena-M" complex includes several launchers with protective munitions around the perimeter of the turret, providing all-round protection for the vehicle.
The heart of the APS is a multifunctional Doppler radar station with high jamming immunity. It is capable of detecting even low-observable drones.
Upon detecting a threat, the "Arena-M" electronics activate a narrowly directed anti-projectile with a fragmentation warhead, which destroys the target while it is still approaching.
The tests of the T-72B3M with "Arena-M" were first reported in February 2026. At that time, Uralvagonzavod reported that the system had proven to be very reliable. In the summer of 2026, the active protection system was installed on the T-90M "Proryv".
Military expert Evgeny Damantsev explained that "Arena-M" is equipped with an aperture of 6 paired transmitting and receiving modules of the centimeter X-band waves.
They are designed to detect approaching anti-tank guided missiles (BGM-71F, "Stugna-P", "Milan-2T"), multi-purpose tactical missiles APKWS-II, and likely FPV kamikaze drones.