Vehicles with additional protection will allow our units to operate more efficiently.
Tank units operating in the SVO zone began to master the new T-72B3A. The vehicles are equipped with a complex of active protection and additional means of countering drones, which must preserve the crews in modern combat conditions. Before sending them to the line of contact, soldiers of the 90th Tank Division of the Center group of forces study the capabilities of new equipment and undergo training at training grounds. The Izvestia correspondent saw how the crews were mastering the machines and found out what would change in their combat work.
The new look of the T-72
We managed to get acquainted with the new car at one of the military training grounds. It immediately catches the eye that, in addition to the standard electronic warfare system, the T-72 camouflaged in the forest belt received additional passive protection equipment manufactured in front-line workshops. At the same time, there are no massive protective structures on the car — the so-called turtles, king barbecues or metal cables ("dreadlocks"), jellyfish and hedgehogs.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
According to the military, in the coming days the tank should go to the line of contact.
"We have been given new T-72B3AS with the Arena-M active protection system against anti—tank missiles, grenade launchers and drones," Senior Lieutenant Alexei Voikov, commander of the tank company, shows the combat vehicle.
According to the officer, the system has already been tested at landfills, where it has shown high effectiveness against unmanned aerial vehicles.
Alexey joined the army as a volunteer and previously worked on tanks of different generations, recently "handed over" his T-80 and is now mastering a new machine.
Senior Lieutenant Alexey Voikov, Company Commander
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
The appearance of active protection complexes has been expected for a long time. Such devices should detect and destroy anti-tank weapons on approach. The new Arena-M allows you to destroy not only shells or ammunition from grenade launchers, but also small drones, which have now become almost the main anti-tank weapon.
Already in 2024, the Army forum announced the next upgrades of active protection systems, taking into account new threats — drones. Now such systems have begun to arrive in units performing tasks in the zone of a special military operation.
"The car just arrived from Nizhny Tagil," says platoon commander Vladimir Mironov. — Its preparation, running-in, and maintenance at the landfill are underway. We also make minor improvements together with the plant staff, if necessary. In general, we are training and preparing the car for future combat work.
Under the cover of mobile firing groups
Alexey Voikov talks about how the new equipment will be used in combat.
— Tanks cover mobile firing groups during the advance. We prepare positions for combat vehicles in advance — we install electronic warfare systems there, we send another group there that controls the sky. Rollback from positions is carried out in reverse order," says Alexey.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
It is the movement between the shelter and the firing position that remains the most dangerous stage of the crew's work. At this point, the tank is most vulnerable to drone attacks.
In these segments, the active protection system will be activated by the commander at the signal of the reconnaissance or drone detector, which will help to cover the combat vehicle from incoming UAVs. In such circumstances, the operation of the new system can be critically important.
Masking from UAVs
Vladimir Mironov is also working with this modification of the tank for the first time. But during his military service, he had already changed several vehicles, including the T-72B3M model, which was similar in configuration, and in addition to combat work, he participated in the Victory Day parade.
Vladimir emphasizes that his tankers and he are ready to work from closed firing positions and direct fire.
These are not just words. Vladimir and his crew participated in assault operations until 2024: they entered settlements occupied by the enemy in vehicles and hit him at point-blank range.
Platoon commander and combat vehicle Vladimir Mironov
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
"Personally, I've always worked with direct fire, and now I'm learning how to shoot with closed—circuit fire," he says.
In May 2024, near Avdiivka, Vladimir made two combat missions, during one of which he was wounded.
— Then we drove right into the forest belt to the enemy and covered our infantry, which landed from the APC. I think it won't be more difficult to work from closed firing positions," he said.
He also draws attention to the other side of the work of tankers — the constant struggle against enemy aerial reconnaissance.
Even at the training ground, the tank's parking spot should not betray its presence. As soon as the car takes shelter, the crew immediately smooths the tracks with a rake. This seemingly simple measure makes it difficult to detect armored vehicles from the air.
Combat experience
Gunner-operator Andrey Konovalov has been serving with the commander since the formation of the unit in 2023. They were trained together and began combat work.
Andrey recalls one of the most difficult episodes of the service. During the combat exit, the tank was hit, the commander was injured, and the crew had to leave the car.
Gunner-operator Andrey Konovalov
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
— We are sitting, but there is still no mechanical drive. I ran to the tank, and the hatch jammed from the impact," recalls Andrey. — I helped him, I pressed on top — that's how I managed to get him out of the damaged car.
After that, Andrey returned to the car to get communications equipment and personal equipment. Only then was the crew able to reach the forest belt where our servicemen were stationed. The tankers received first aid there. Andrei bandaged the commander, who had multiple shrapnel wounds around his eyes.
— The surveillance devices in the tank were knocked out at the moment when the commander was looking into them, — Andrey finishes the story. For this combat episode, he received the Order of Courage.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Another novelty that Andrey tells us about first, and then demonstrates to the entire crew in training, is a special application for aiming tanks when firing from closed positions. With his help, after entering the firing line, the commander orients the gun in the right direction. This allows you to significantly reduce the preparation time for opening fire and avoid using the bussoli. Further adjustments are already being made with the help of drones that monitor the results of the shooting.
The Russian active protection system has become the world's first system capable of covering armored vehicles not only from artillery shells and anti-tank guided missiles, but also from barraging ammunition and FPV drones. There are good reasons to have high hopes for the T-72B3A. The new complex will significantly increase the survivability of combat vehicles and the safety of crews, Izvestia wrote . Thanks to the Arena-M, tank units should gain a technological advantage over the enemy.
Dmitry Astrakhan
