Russian troops have begun training with an upgraded version of the T-72B3A tank equipped with reinforced protection against unmanned aerial vehicles, Izvestia reports. The vehicle now carries the Arena-M active protection system, electronic warfare equipment and additional passive armor elements.

The modernized Arena-M is designed to intercept shells, anti-tank missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and small drones approaching the tank. The system consists of a radar station and launch modules loaded with defensive charges.

The radar monitors the area around the vehicle, calculates the trajectory of an incoming threat and sends a command to launch an interceptor. The charge detonates at a safe distance from the tank, destroying the target with a directed stream of fragments before it reaches the armor.

Senior Lieutenant Alexey Voikov, a tank company commander, said the upgraded vehicle had already completed testing at a training ground. During the trials, the protection system demonstrated strong performance against drone attacks.

The tank is expected to be sent to the combat zone in the coming days, where it will be used to protect mobile fire groups.

The US magazine The National Interest previously ranked Russia’s T-72 first on its list of the world’s best tanks. Its authors concluded that the vehicle met the main requirements for effective armored warfare. The US M1 Abrams placed second, while Israel’s Merkava ranked third.