Forbes: Ukraine copies Russian protection for armored vehicles from UAV strikes
Russian troops are actively improving the protection of armored vehicles from drones during the fighting, Forbes writes. In response to new threats, Moscow is rapidly adapting tactics and weapons, improving the protection of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and howitzers. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have little chance against such modernization.
Vikram Mittal
Although drones have been crucial in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine for some time, the basis of the armed forces of both countries is still armored vehicles - tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and self—propelled howitzers. It is armored vehicles that are given a central place during the assault or defense of the terrain, while drones play a rather auxiliary role in these operations. At the same time, the effectiveness of drone strikes limited the use of armored vehicles, which led to a stalemate on the battlefield. In response, both Russia and Ukraine have improved it, providing appropriate protection. The latest versions, nicknamed "hedgehogs," use a large number of protruding bundles of wire to minimize drone damage. This method has borne fruit, as a result of which the parties began to improve the tactics of drones and develop special ammunition for counteraction.
Russian "hedgehog tanks"
The design of the hedgehog tank is the last word in a series of physical measures to protect armored vehicles from drone strikes. At the beginning of the conflict, both sides experimented with "cages" — simple metal frames welded to the tower to protect against attacks from above, similar to the RPG protection systems used during the Global War on Terrorism. However, the drone's "gifts" became more precise and deadly, and Russian troops expanded this technology by introducing "turtle tanks" almost entirely encased in metal frames made of sheet steel. These machines were extremely heavy, but had increased survivability due to a significant reduction in maneuverability.
The Hedgehog Tank represents the next step in this direction. Instead of cages or closed shells, these armored vehicles are covered with a dense "overgrowth" of metal spikes, wires or worn steel cables that stick out in all directions like hedgehog thorns. In most cases, the spikes protrude about 30-60 centimeters from the surface, and in some homemade versions — even further to increase the distance of damage. Some versions also received large "visors" that provide protection from dropping ammunition from drones.
This design has proven effective against both first-person view (FPV) drones and compact bombers. The drone hits the nearest spike on approach, which leads to premature detonation, partial destruction, or loss of control. In the case of bomber drones, the dropped munition hits the roof or spikes rather than the hull, detonating further away from the vehicle and thereby losing effectiveness.
"Hedgehog" superstructures are usually made in the field by soldiers themselves, who weld bundles of steel cable, pieces of reinforcement or wire to hulls or makeshift cages to protect them from drones. The materials are cheap and widely available, allowing for free experimentation and prompt on-site adjustments. Improvised protection is usually made up and painted to match the local terrain and vegetation.
Hedgehog type protection was seen on Russian T-72 and T-90 tanks in the DPR and the Zaporizhia region. Videos with Russian ground robots equipped with appropriate protection have also recently been published on social networks. More recently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have introduced similar protection, and videos have also appeared on social media showing the Ukrainian military welding this armor to their armored vehicles. In another video, a Ukrainian M113 with such protection is driving along the highway.
Exploiting the vulnerabilities of "hedgehog tanks"
The design of the hedgehog type was conceived as a much lighter alternative to the turtle type, allowing armored vehicles to maintain maneuverability while protecting them from drones. It is much lighter than fully enclosed structures, but it still significantly increases weight. This additional weight reduces speed and maneuverability and creates maintenance problems, as the power plant and its components are heavily overloaded.
The desire of Russia and Ukraine to protect armored vehicles from drones in their own way repeats the actions of the coalition to protect against improvised explosive devices during the Global War on Terrorism. In each case, the enemy quickly adapts to new security measures, taking advantage of the vulnerabilities that these measures create.
