According to analysts at Military Watch Magazine, Russia is outpacing Western countries in the development of protection systems for armored vehicles.

The publication says the combat potential of the T-90M and T-72B3M — the core of Russia’s tank fleet — has grown significantly since the Arena-M active protection system was integrated at the end of 2024. The magazine also notes that an upgraded version of Arena-M was completed in January. This newer system is designed to intercept drones and loitering munitions more effectively. In the authors’ view, Russia has moved ahead in this field.

The report also points to upgrades in several other key areas, including third-generation thermal imagers, the Relikt explosive reactive armor system, modern communications and data-exchange equipment, and the 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun.

According to the magazine, additional improvements to the T-72B3M began appearing in frontline units in late 2022. These upgrades were similar to those used on the T-90M, and the variant became known as the T-72B3M mod. 2022, or unofficially as the T-72B4.

Earlier, European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius said Russia was noticeably ahead of NATO countries militarily. He argued that the growth of Russian defense production should alarm Europe, since European states are still not expanding weapons output fast enough to meet current demand.