{{Infobox weapon |name= Arena<br />Арена |image= File:Arena on T-80UM-1 at Omsk.png |image_size= 300 |caption= Arena on T-80UM-1 at Omsk circa 1998. Elements of the Arena Active Protection System include ring of explosive panels at lower margin of turret ring and radar on turret roof. |origin= [[Russia]] |type= [[Active protection system]] |used_by= Russia |designer= [[KB Mashinostroyeniya|Kolomna Engineering Design Bureau]] (KBM) |design_date= 1993 |unit_cost= US$300,000 |variants= Arena-E (export) Arena-M (Modernized) |weight= 1100kg |guidance= [[Doppler radar]] }} '''Arena''' ({{langx|ru|Арена}}) is an [[active protection system]] (APS) developed at [[Russia]]'s [[Kolomna]]-based Engineering Design Bureau for the purpose of protecting [[armoured fighting vehicle]]s from destruction by light [[anti-tank]] weapons, [[anti-tank guided missile]]s (ATGM), and flyover [[top attack]] missiles.<ref>{{cite report |author = Adam Geibel |date = 1 April 1997 |title = Learning From Their Mistakes: Russia's Arena Active Protection System |url = https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA323300.pdf |publisher = Defense Technical Information Center |access-date = 6 April 2023 |archive-date = 7 April 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230407112808/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA323300.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref> It uses a [[Doppler radar]] to detect incoming warheads. Upon detection, a defensive rocket is fired that detonates near the inbound threat, destroying it before it hits the vehicle.
Arena is similar to [[Drozd]], a Soviet active protection system from the late 1970s, which was installed on several [[T-54/55|T-55s]] during the [[Soviet–Afghan War]]. Drozd was followed by [[Shtora]] in the late 1980s, which used an electro-optical dazzlers or expendable so (smoke/IR smoke) to confuse the seeker head or defeat the user. In late 1994 the Russian Army deployed many [[armoured fighting vehicles]] to [[Chechnya]], where they were ambushed and suffered heavy casualties. The effectiveness of [[Mujahideen|Chechen]] [[rocket-propelled grenade]]s against Russian combat vehicles prompted the [[KB Mashinostroyeniya|Kolomenskoye machine-building design bureau]] to devise the Arena active protection system in the early and mid-1990s. An export variant, Arena-E, was also developed. The system has been tested on the [[T-80#T-80 models|T-80UM-1]], demonstrated at Omsk in 1997.
==Background== The [[Soviet Union]] developed the first [[active protection system]] between 1977 and 1982, named Drozd (Russian: Дрозд).<ref name="Meyer8">Meyer, p. 8</ref><ref name="Kemp18">Kemp, p. 18</ref> This system was designed as an alternative to passive or [[reactive armour]], to defend against enemy [[Shoulder-launched missile weapon|anti-tank weapons]].<ref>Zaloga (2004), p. 24</ref> The system's development was stimulated in large part by the introduction of new [[high-explosive anti-tank]] warheads. Drozd was designed to destroy these warheads before they hit the armour of a vehicle being attacked.<ref>Hazell, p. 116</ref> It was composed of three main parts: two launcher arrays placed on either side of the [[gun turret]] and an auxiliary power unit located to the rear of the turret.<ref name="Zaloga0433">Zaloga (2004), p. 33</ref> The arrays were controlled by two [[millimeter-wave]] [[radar]] antennae. The system used a {{convert|19|kg|lb|sp=us}}, {{convert|107|mm|in|sp=us}} cone-shaped fragmentation warhead. Drozd could protect a tank between the elevations of −6 and 20 degrees along the vertical plane, and between 40 and 60 degrees along the horizontal plane.<ref name="Meyer8" /><ref name="Hazell118">Hazell, p. 118</ref> Although reported to offer an 80% increase in survival rate during its testing in [[Afghanistan]], the radar was unable to adequately detect threats and the firing of its rockets caused unacceptably high levels of [[collateral damage]].<ref name="Meyer8" /> About 250 Drozd systems were manufactured, all of which were installed on [[T-54/55|T-55s]] belonging to the Soviet Union's [[Naval Infantry (Russia)|naval infantry]].<ref name="Zaloga0433" />
In the late 1980s, the Soviet Army began development of the [[Shtora|Shtora-1]] electro-optical jammer.<ref name="Meyer8" /> It was first mounted on a [[T-80]]U in 1989, and later showcased on an Upgraded T-72B. Shtora-1 is designed to jam incoming SACLOS guided anti-tank missiles using a one-kilowatt [[infrared]] radiator.<ref>Zaloga (1993), pp. 13, 34–35</ref> The Shtora-1 entered service on the T-80UK in 1991 and on the T-90 in 1992. In 1995, it was fitted on a [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] [[T-84]]. The Shtora-1 system consists of an infra-red radiator interface station, composed of the jammer, modulator and control panel, a number of forward-firing grenade discharges capable of producing a smoke screen, a [[laser warning receiver]] and a general control panel.<ref name="Meyer8" /> Shtora offers 360 degree all-around protection, between the elevations of −5 and 25 degrees. The system is activated when the laser warning system alerts the tank commander, who responds by pressing a button on his control panel which automatically orients the turret towards the threat. This triggers the grenade launch, creating a smoke screen to reduce the ability of the missile to lock-on the vehicle. The jammers are designed to jam the infra-red seekers on the inbound missiles.<ref>Meyer, pp. 8–9</ref> According to the manufacturers, Shtora decreases the chances of a tank being hit by an anti-tank missile, such as the [[M47 Dragon|Dragon]], by a factor of 4–5:1.<ref name="Meyer9">Meyer, p. 9</ref>
The large number of Russia's casualties during the [[First Chechen War]] prompted Russia to consider the development of a new active protection system.<ref name="Geibel9610">Geibel (1996), p. 10</ref> During the [[Battle of Grozny (1994–1995)|Battle of Grozny]], for example, the Russian Army lost between 200 and 250<ref>Russians claim that they lost between 200 and 250 armoured fighting vehicles, out of 2,221 deployed; Warford, p. 18</ref> [[armoured fighting vehicles]] to Chechen rebels.<ref>Rupe, p. 21</ref> Vehicles which were knocked-out included main battle tanks such as the T-72 and T-80, and lighter armoured vehicles such as the [[BMP-2]].<ref>Geibel (1995), p. 13</ref> The majority of tanks deployed to Chechnya were not issued with [[explosive reactive armour]], due to the "lack of time and funds", while some of those that were issued with reactive armour did not have the explosive charge to start the reaction.<ref>Baryantinsky, pp. 58–62</ref> Some of the most dangerous threats to Russian armour were [[rocket-propelled grenade]]s fired from buildings in Grozny.<ref>Warford, p. 19</ref> As a result of these vulnerabilities, [[KB Mashinostroyeniya|Kolomenskoye]] developed the Arena active protection system, with the goal of providing Russian armour more reliable protection against these threats.<ref>Baryantinsky, p. 72</ref>
==System details== [[File:Arena system.svg|thumb|Diagram]] The Arena system was primarily designed to defeat threats such as the rocket propelled grenade and the anti-tank missile, including newer anti-tank missiles with longer ranges.<ref name="Geibel9610" /> The active protection system can protect against missiles fired from both infantry carried rocket launchers and from helicopters, which attack the vehicle directly or by overflying it.<ref>KB Mashynostroyeniya, [http://www.kbm.ru/en/product/aps/arena-e "Arena-E"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210100007/http://www.kbm.ru/en/product/aps/arena-e |date=December 10, 2008 }}, accessed 22 December 2008</ref> Modern rocket propelled grenades can penetrate almost {{convert|1|m|in}} of steel armour, posing a serious threat to tanks operating in environments of [[asymmetric warfare]]. Therefore, increased tank protection requires either an increase in armour thickness and weight, or alternatively the use of an active protection system, like Arena.<ref>Hazell, p. 113</ref>
[[Image:RPG7.jpg|thumb|right|The system is designed to defeat light anti-tank weapons, such as this [[RPG-7]].]]
The system uses a multi-function [[Doppler radar]], which can be turned on and off by the tank commander.<ref>Baryantinsky, p. 73</ref> In conjunction with radar input, a digital computer scans an arc around the tank for threats, and evaluates which of the tank's 26 quick-action projectiles it will release to intercept the incoming threat.<ref>Baryantinsky, pp. 72–73</ref> In selecting the projectile to use for defeating the threat, the ballistic computer employs the information processed by the radar, including information such as flight parameters and velocity.<ref>Baryantinsky, pp. 73–74</ref> On the T-80UM, the computer has a reaction time of 0.05 seconds and protects the tank over a 300-degree arc, everywhere but the rear side of the turret.<ref name="Meyer9" />{{sfn|Foss|2011|p=378}}{{sfn|Foss|2011|p=110}} On the T-72M1, Arena covers the frontal 260-degrees.{{sfn|Foss|2011|p=112}} Arena ordinarily covers an elevation from -85 degrees to +65 degrees.<ref name="Jane's Upgrades">{{cite book |last1=Cullen |first1=Tony |last2=Foss |first2=Christopher F. |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery Upgrades 1997-98 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Surrey |isbn=0-7106-1543-4 |page=158 |edition=10th |chapter=Threat Warning Systems}}</ref> On the BMP-3M, the Arena-E covers the frontal 275 degrees from an elevation of -5 degrees to +15 degrees.{{sfn|Foss|2011|p=378}} The system engages targets within {{convert|50|m|yd}} of the vehicle it is defending, and the ammunition detonates at around {{convert|1.5|m|yd}} from the threat.<ref name="Meyer9" /> It will engage any threat approaching the tank between the velocities of {{convert|70|m/s|ft/s}} and {{convert|700|m/s|ft/s}}, and can disregard false targets, such as outgoing projectiles, birds and small caliber bullets.<ref name="Geibel9610" /> If the computer detects that the projectile is heading towards an already discharged panel it can rotate the turret to point an active panel at the threat.<ref name="Jane's Upgrades"/> Arena works during the day and night, and the lack of electromagnetic interference allows the system to be used by multiple vehicles as a team.<ref>Baryantinsky, p. 80</ref> The 27-volt system requires approximately one kilowatt of power, and weighs around {{convert|1100|kg|lb|sp=us}}.<ref name="Geibel9610" /> Arena increases a tank's probability of surviving a rocket-propelled grenade by between 1.5–2 times.<ref name="Geibel9610" /><ref>Baryantinsky, pp. 82–83</ref>
Shtora was a soft-kill system, designed to passively defeat anti-tank missiles by jamming their guidance systems. By contrast, Arena is a hard-kill system like Drozd, designed to destroy the warhead through the use of munitions before the missile can engage the vehicle being protected.<ref name="Kemp18" />
==Arena-M== The modernized Arena-M's manufacturer claims it is able to intercept munitions coming from all aspects, including true top-attack missiles like the Javelin and that it will be installed on Russian T-80 and T-90 tanks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://euro-sd.com/2021/11/articles/exclusive/24493/arena-m-aps/ |title=Details of ARENA-M APS Disclosed |last=Laskin |first=Yury |date=3 November 2021 |website=European Security & Defence |access-date=6 April 2023 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405161711/https://euro-sd.com/2021/11/articles/exclusive/24493/arena-m-aps/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://tass.com/defense/1599611 |title=Russian T-90, T-80 main battle tanks to feature new reactive armor, says defense firm |date=5 April 2023 |website=TASS |access-date=6 April 2023 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405161540/https://tass.com/defense/1599611 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2023, Russian state news agency ''RIA Novosti'' reported that Russia would soon equip its T-90M and T-80BVM tanks with Arena-M. The report also said that Russia was also exploring installing the system on T-72B3 and T-72B3M tanks.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dangwal |first1=Ashish |title=‘Blown Away’ By UAV & ATGM Attacks, Russia To Arm Its T-90M Tanks With Arena-M Active Protection System |url=https://www.eurasiantimes.com/blown-away-by-uav-atgm-attacks-russia-to-equip-its-t-90m-tanks/#google_vignette |access-date=3 August 2023 |work=EurAsian Times |date=5 April 2023 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803191442/https://www.eurasiantimes.com/blown-away-by-uav-atgm-attacks-russia-to-equip-its-t-90m-tanks/#google_vignette |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Development==
Arena evolved from the earlier Shater (Tent) active protection system first fitted to the Obiekt 478M. Arena was first fitted to the Obiekt 219E, a T-80B series experimental tank that later became known as the T80BM1. The existence of this program was revealed in 1992.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Zaloga |first1=Steven |year=2009 |title=T-80 Standard Tank |location=Great Britain |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84603-244-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/tstandardtank00zalo_209 |url-access=limited |pages=26, 38}}</ref>
The Arena active protection system was first tested at the [[Kubinka]] proving grounds in early 1995, successfully defending a Russian tank against an anti-tank guided missile.<ref>Warford, p. 21</ref> A Russian [[T-80#T-80 models|T-80UM-1]], with Arena, was first demonstrated to the public at [[Omsk]] in late 1997.<ref>Baryantinsky, p. 83</ref> Arena was also mounted on the [[BMP-3]]M modernization package, developed by the Kurganmashzavod Joint Stock Company, although the package has received no export orders.<ref>Janes Armour & Artillery, [http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jaa/jaa_1278.html Kurgan BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicle upgrade (Russian Federation), Armoured personnel carriers (tracked)], Janes, accessed 22 December 2008</ref>
Arena was to be fitted on the Russian [[Black Eagle (tank)|Black Eagle]] which debuted in 1998.{{sfn|Foss|2011|p=101}} As of 2011, Arena had not entered quantity production.{{sfn|Foss|2011|p=85}}
== Exports == As of 1996, the German–French firm [[TDA Armements|TDA]] was reported to have been involved in further developing Arena.<ref name="Jane's Upgrades"/> In 1998, American defense contractor [[General Dynamics Land Systems]] (GDLS) proposed licensing Arena from KBM for sale to Turkey and the United States. For the [[Turkish Land Forces]], GDLS sought to integrate Arena onto the [[M60-2000]] and [[M1A2 Abrams]]. For the U.S. Army, GDLS proposed integrating Arena onto the M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams tanks.<ref>{{cite archive |first=Phillip |last=Lett |type=textual record |file=Arena System Proposal- 1998 |box=8 |collection=Phillip Lett Collection |collection-url=https://www.lib.auburn.edu/archive/find-aid/740.htm |institution=Auburn University |location=Auburn, AL |accession=02-038}}</ref> As of 2000, Russia had agreed to the deal pending U.S. approval.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chazan |first1=Guy |title=Russia Makes a Noisy Pitch To Become Big Arms Exporter |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB963520430543357845 |access-date=7 September 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=14 July 2000 |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907021648/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB963520430543357845 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2011, Russia offered India the Arena system for use on the T-72. It is unknown whether India accepted any deliveries of Arena as of 2011.{{sfn|Foss|2011|p=58}}
[[File:Arena-E BMP-3 IDELF-2008-211.jpg|thumb|right|Arena-E on BMP-3 model, 2008]] An export variant, named Arena-E (Арена-Э), is available, costing an estimated $300,000. It weighs about {{convert|900|kg|lb|sp=us}}.{{sfn|Foss|2011|p=378}} In 2007 [[South Korea]] and KBM Design Bureau reached an agreement to fit the Arena-E on the [[K2 Black Panther|K2]] main battle tank. The agreement was worth about {{USD|27.5 million}}.{{sfn|Foss|2011|p=85}}
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
==References== {{refbegin|2}} * {{cite book | last = Baryatinskiy | first = Mikhail | title = Main Battle Tank T-80 | publisher = Ian Allan | year = 2007 | location = Surrey, UK | page = 96 | isbn = 978-0-7110-3238-5}} * {{cite journal |last=Geibel |first=Adam |url=https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1996/SEP_OCT/ArmorSeptemberOctober1996web.pdf |title=Learning from their mistakes: Russia's Arena Active Protection System |journal=[[Armor magazine]] |publisher=US Army Armor Center |location=Fort Knox, KY |date=1 September 1996 |issn=0004-2420 |access-date=21 October 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217212652/https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1996/SEP_OCT/ArmorSeptemberOctober1996web.pdf |url-status=live }} * {{cite book |editor1-last=Foss |editor1-first=Christopher F. |editor1-link=Christopher F. Foss |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2011–2012 |publisher=Janes Information Group |location=Surrey |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-71062-960-9 |edition=32nd |chapter= |url=https://archive.org/details/janesarmourartil0000unse }} * {{cite journal |last=Geibel |first=Adam |url=https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1995/MAR_APR/ArmorMarchApril1995web.pdf |title=Caucasus Nightmare - Red Dawn in Chechnya: A Campaign Chronicle |journal=Armor Magazine |publisher=US Army Armor Center |location=Fort Knox, KY |date=1 March 1995 |issn=0004-2420 |access-date=21 October 2020 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1995/MAR_APR/ArmorMarchApril1995web.pdf |url-status=live }} * {{cite journal | last = Hazell | first = Paul J. | title = Active Protection Systems Come of Age | journal = Military Technology | publisher = Mönch Editorial Group | date = 1 September 2007}} * {{cite journal | last = Kemp | first = Ian | title = RPG Zappers | journal = Armada International | date = 1 April 2007 | issn = 0252-9793}} * {{cite journal |last=Meyer |first=Tom J. |url=https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1998/MAY_JUN/ArmorMayJune1998web.pdf |title=Active Protection Systems: Impregnable Armor or Simply Enhanced Survivability? |journal=Armor Magazine |publisher=US Army Armor Center |location=Fort Knox, KY |date=1 May 1998 |issn=0004-2420 |access-date=21 October 2020 |archive-date=15 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115135144/https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1998/MAY_JUN/ArmorMayJune1998web.pdf |url-status=live }} * {{cite journal |last=Rupe |first=Chad A. |url=https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1999/MAY_JUN/ArmorMayJune1999web.pdf |title=The Battle of Grozny: Lessons for Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain |journal=Armor Magazine |publisher=US Army Armor Center |location=Fort Knox, KY |date=1 May 1999 |issn=0004-2420 |access-date=21 October 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217212651/https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1999/MAY_JUN/ArmorMayJune1999web.pdf |url-status=live }} * {{cite journal |last=Warford |first=James M. |url=https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1995/NOV_DEC/ArmorNovemberDecember1995web.pdf |title=Cold War Armor After Chechnya: An Assessment of the Russian T-80 |journal=Armor Magazine |publisher=US Army Armor Center |location=Fort Knox, KY |date=1 November 1995 |issn=0004-2420 |access-date=21 October 2020 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518222548/https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1995/NOV_DEC/ArmorNovemberDecember1995web.pdf |url-status=live }} * {{cite book | last = Zaloga | first = Steven J. | title = T-54 and T-55 Main Battle Tanks 1944–2004 | url = https://archive.org/details/ttmainbattletank00zalo | url-access = limited | publisher = Osprey | year = 2004 | location = Oxford, UK | page = [https://archive.org/details/ttmainbattletank00zalo/page/n1 48] | isbn = 1-84176-792-1 }} * {{cite book | last = Zaloga | first = Steven J. | title = T-72 Main Battle Tank 1974–93 | publisher = Osprey | year = 1993 | location = Oxford, UK | page = 48 | isbn = 1-85532-338-9}} {{refend}}
{{APS}}
[[Category:Armoured fighting vehicle equipment]] [[Category:Weapons countermeasures]] [[Category:Land active protection systems]] [[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s]]