Russia Integrating ‘Missile Shield’ to Protect Frontline Tanks: How Does the Arena-M System Work?

Footage from the Ukrainian theatre has shown a new configuration of the Russian T-72B3 main battle tank integrating improved armour protection and the Arena-M active protection system, with the vehicle seen concealed in a firing position. The tank was operating with Battlegroup Centre in the Dnipropetrovsk area, and appears to have been deployed defensively. It was previously reported that when Battlegroup Centre assault troops were conducting pre-combat preparation at a rear training ground in May 2026, they were equipped with T-72 tanks with the Arena-M system. The latest image confirms continued investments modernising frontline armoured units with the new system, which provides a distinct advantage over tanks fielded by the Ukrainian Army and over 95 percent of tanks fielded by NATO member states, which lack active protection systems of their own. 

The Arena-M uses a radar system 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. The most well known active protection system is the Israeli Trophy, which was integrated onto the country’s Merkava IV tanks from 2008. While Russia has worked on developing hard kill active protection systems since the 1990s, with multiple variants of the Arena system having been made ready for service, a lack of funding resulted in these primarily being marketed for export. Other than Israel, similar systems were developed by China, South Korea and North Korea before the Arena-M was brought into service. 

The integration of the Arena-M onto main battle tanks in frontline units was first confirmed in March 2025, with the the system was seen integrated onto a Russian Army T-72B3 tank. This followed reports in August 2024 that T-90M tanks were integrating the system, and subsequent reports that T-72s modernised with similar levels of armour protection were also to receive the system. The T-90 is a direct derivative of the T-72 design, and was initially intended to enter service under the designation T-72BU, with their high levels of commonality making it straightforward to integrate new subsystems onto both types of tank. It remains uncertain whether any other types of main battle tank in Russia service, such as the T-80BVM, are intended to also integrate the system. The cost and complexity of active protection systems means that integrating them is expected to significantly increase the costs of producing or refurbishing main battle tanks. 

While the Arena-M is the first system of its kind fielded by either side in the Ukrainian theatre, active protection systems have been intensively combat tested in the Gaza Strip and in Southern Lebanon by the Israeli Army. The Trophy system has been seen protecting Merkava IV tanks from rocket propelled grenades, forcing local Palestinian paramilitaries to adopt a range of approaches to counter it. One of the simplest has been approaching tanks from the rear and planting explosives directly on their hulls, which has proven possible in urban environments. Lebanese Hezbollah frontline units have fired light low value projectiles at tanks to deplete their active protection systems, before destroying them with a more powerful projectile such as Kornet missiles, with the adoption of such tactics allowing the paramilitary group to inflict heavy losses. It remains uncertain how the Ukrainian Army and supporting foreign forces may develop their own tactics to engage Russian tanks with the Arena-M.