T-90M is getting a MAJOR Improvement!!

Summary

The Russian Ministry of Defense has reportedly signed a contract for T-90M tanks equipped with the Arena M active protection system (APS). The video discusses the capabilities and limitations of the Arena M APS, which can intercept various threats at speeds up to 1,000 m/s from 50 meters away. It also addresses misconceptions about the system's ability to counter top-attack threats like Spike or Javelin missiles, noting the lack of evidence for such claims. The script highlights the need for proper anti-drone measures, as the APS does not protect against the growing threat of FPV drones, and questions the practicality of installing cages on tanks with the system.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Russian Ministry of Defense announced a contract for additional T-80 and T-90M tanks equipped with the Arena M hard kill active protection system.
• 🌐 Ground News is presented as a sponsor, offering a platform to compare news coverage from various sources around the world, highlighting political bias and ownership.
• 🎯 The Arena M system is a hard kill active protection system that has been in development since the 1990s and is now being considered for actual installation on Russian tanks.
• 🔍 There is confusion about the presence of active protection systems on T-90 tanks due to the existence of a soft kill system called Shtora, which does not actively engage threats.
• 📝 A patent for the T-90M tank with Arena M was released last year, indicating that the system will retain side-mounted explosive reactive armor without compromising the tank's protection.
• 🚀 The Arena M system is designed to intercept threats such as rockets, missiles, and heat shells traveling at speeds up to 1,000 m/s from a distance of 50 meters away.
• 🤔 There is uncertainty about the system's ability to intercept top attack threats like Spike or Javelin, with only promotional footage and claims from the manufacturer as evidence.
• 🛡️ The installation of the Arena M system on T-90M tanks may reduce storage space due to the replacement of storage boxes with the APS system components.
• 🕊️ The system's interceptors explode in two directions, suggesting the potential for 360° threat interception, but doubts remain about the radar's ability to detect top threats.
• 🤖 The biggest concern is the system's inability to protect against the most significant threat: FPV drones, indicating a need for additional anti-drone measures.
• 📅 The adoption timeline for the Arena M system aligns with the initial announcement from 2020, with plans to start installations by 2025, showing surprising punctuality from Russia.

Q & A

What was announced on the 13th of August at the Army Forum exhibition by the Russian Ministry of Defense?

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that they have signed a contract for the delivery of additional T-80 chassis-based Tossan-A systems and T-90M tanks equipped with the Arena M hard-kill active protection system.

What is the purpose of Ground News, as mentioned in the script?

Ground News is a website and app that gathers news articles from over 50,000 services worldwide, allowing users to compare how different outlets cover the same story. It provides a breakdown of political bias, ownership, and headlines, supported by ratings from three independent news monitoring organizations.

What is the difference between a soft kill and a hard kill active protection system for tanks?

A soft kill system, like Shtora, helps the tank evade or mask itself from threats without physically engaging them, often using laser warning receivers. A hard kill system, such as Arena M, actively engages and destroys incoming threats like rockets, missiles, and shells.

Why might some people believe that T-90 tanks already have a hard kill active protection system?

Some people might be confused because T-90 tanks do have an active protection system, but it is a soft kill system called Shtora. Additionally, Wikipedia incorrectly lists the Arena system as part of the tank, leading to the misconception.

What is the significance of the Arena M active protection system being installed on T-90M tanks?

The installation of the Arena M system indicates that Russia is upgrading its tanks with a hard kill capability, which can intercept a wide range of threats, although its effectiveness against top attack threats like Spike or Javelin is still uncertain.

How does the Arena M system's installation affect the tank's storage capacity?

The installation of the Arena M system requires the replacement of storage boxes, which may result in reduced storage space or the need to relocate these boxes, potentially affecting the tank's operational capabilities.

What is the reported speed and range at which the Arena E system can intercept threats?

The Arena E system can reportedly intercept rockets, missiles, and heat shells traveling at speeds of up to 1,000 m/s from a distance of 50 meters away.

What are the limitations of the Arena M system in terms of intercepting top attack threats?

The Arena M system's ability to intercept top attack threats like Spike or Javelin is uncertain due to a lack of reliable information and the system's radar configuration, which does not seem to be designed to detect threats from above.

Why is the Arena M system's effectiveness against drones considered a significant concern?

The Arena M system does not address the threat posed by FPV drones, which could still compromise the tank's survivability. Without proper drone jamming equipment, the installation of the APS system may not be as effective.

What was the original timeline for the adoption of the Arena M system by the Russian military?

The Russian military had initially announced that the Arena M system would be adopted by 2025, with installations beginning that year.

What is the impact of the Arena M system on the tank's silhouette and the possibility of adding cage armor?

The installation of the Arena M system does not significantly change the tank's silhouette, but it does prevent the installation of cage armor on the top of the turret due to the system's interceptor launch mechanism, which could limit protection against RPGs.