Latest Batch of Russian T-90M Tanks Integrates Enhanced Active Protection System with New ‘Anti-Drone Mode’

The latest production batch of T-90M main battle tanks delivered to the Russian Army is integrating a new variant of the Arena-M active protection system, which Defence Ministry sources have confirmed has an “anti-drone” mode to protect the vehicles against attacks by single use unmanned aircraft and loitering munitions. This new capability was reportedly achieved by developing new software for the Arena-M system, work on which is reported to have been completed in 2025. The Arena-M uses a radar to continuously monitor the surrounding environment for incoming threats, and when detecting an incoming projectile tracks it automatically, calculates its trajectory, and deploys protective munitions to intercept and destroy it before it impacts the tank. Although Russia has been developing a hard kill active protection system since the 1990s, with multiple variants of the Arena system having been made ready for production, a lack of funding resulted in these primarily being marketed for export.

The central roles which loitering munitions and single use unmanned aircraft have played in anti-armour operations by both sides in the Russian-Ukrainian War has led militaries across the world to show a growing interest in developing active protection systems that increase survivability against these threats. The ability to intercept top-attack munitions, such as the Javelins delivered to Ukraine by the United States, or the Bulsae-4 delivered to Russia by North Korea, has also been prioritised. Footage aired alongside a statement from a defence ministry source regarding upgrades to the Arena-M system showed armoured vehicles inside production facilities at the world’s largest tank production facility Uralvagonzavod, and the integration f the system onto a T-72B3 main battle tank. T-72s with the new system were first seen deployed in March 2025. 

The Arena-M can intercept rockets, missiles and high explosive anti tank shells travelling at up to 1000 meters per second, and can do so 50 meters away. The lack of a hard kill active protection system had left Russian tanks increasingly behind the cutting edge. One of the latest tanks to feature such a system was the North Korean Chonma 2, which is speculated to be intended for deliveries to the Russian Army this year, while the Polish Army has from late 2022 deployed a growing number of South Korean K2 tanks with the famous KAPS active protection system. Nevertheless, Western tanks have also remained behind in fielding such systems, as recently demonstrated by the vulnerability of the M1A1 Abrams, Leopard 2 and Challenger 2 in combat in Ukraine. The Israeli Merkava IV has integrated the Trophy active protection system from 2008, with this system set to be exported to improve the protection levels of U.S. and German tanks due to the lack of indigenous alternatives. 

Despite its lack of an active protection system, Russian officials have expressed high levels of satisfaction with the T-90M, which represents a significant improvement over the country’s previous main battle tanks, despite a very slow rate of progress in the industry in the 30 years after the USSR’s disintegration. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev previously noted in February 2024 that the tanks “have proven themselves brilliantly during the special op period.” "Battle commanders that come back from the frontline and order equipment, they asked to help with obtaining the T-90Ms. It is a very good weapon,” he added. Similarly strong praise for the tank was given by President Vladimir Putin in July 2023, when he cited a report regarding the T-90M’s durability when hitting a roadside bomb, and referred to it as the best tank in the world. Although boasting multiple advantages over new Western tanks, the T-90M’s capabilities are considered far more limited than the latest Chinese and South Korean tank types such as the Type 100, Type 99B, and K2.