Russia’s UralVagonZavod, the nation’s main tank producer, has formally showcased the primary T-90M major battle tank geared up with the Area-M Lively Safety System (APS).
The disclosing marks a brand new part in Russia’s ongoing efforts to improve its armored forces amid continued battlefield losses in Ukraine.
The Area-M APS is designed to boost the survivability of tanks in opposition to anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
– ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW –
The T-90M, extensively promoted by Russian officers because the nation’s most superior operational tank, has suffered substantial losses in Ukraine. Open-source intelligence analysts, together with Oryx, have documented over 120 confirmed T-90M losses because the begin of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Regardless of its upgraded armor and fire-control programs, the tank has confirmed susceptible to Western-supplied anti-tank weapons, suicide drones, and precision artillery strikes.
Lastly unveiled formally T-90M with Area-M APS pic.twitter.com/zSDHDBXICK
— Volke (@Volke__) February 5, 2025
The combination of Area-M APS is an try to handle these vulnerabilities by offering 360-degree energetic safety in opposition to incoming threats. The system mechanically detects, tracks, and intercepts incoming projectiles earlier than they attain the tank, theoretically bettering its capability to outlive on the fashionable battlefield.
Whereas Russia has beforehand claimed success in growing energetic safety programs, the real-world effectiveness of Area-M stays unproven in fight. In contrast to Israel’s Trophy APS, which has been battle-tested on Merkava tanks, the Area-M system has but to be deployed in fight zones. Questions additionally persist relating to its capability to deal with fashionable loitering munitions and top-attack anti-tank programs, equivalent to Javelin and NLAW, which have been extremely efficient in opposition to Russian armor.
Regardless of these uncertainties, Russian protection officers proceed to current the T-90M with Area-M as a next-generation armored answer. The Kremlin has relied closely on UralVagonZavod to take care of tank manufacturing and modernization efforts, particularly as Western sanctions limit entry to important parts for high-tech army programs.
