Modern Russian Tanks in Ukraine: Countermeasures and Capabilities

Russia's military has long been known for its advanced tank technology, and their tanks deployed to Ukraine are no exception. Among other features, some modern Russian tanks in Ukraine are equipped with unique countermeasures designed to protect them from anti-tank missiles like Javelin. In this article, we'll examine these countermeasures and what they're capable of.

One type of countermeasure found on some Russian tanks is a soft-kill active-protection system. This system uses aerosol grenades to obscure the tank's heat signature with heat- and laser-shrouding particles. The idea is that if an incoming missile is homing in on the tank based solely on its heat profile, the obscuring of this heat signature will throw it off course. Additionally, flashing infrared jammers may also be used to disrupt the missile's guidance system.

However, it's worth noting that modern anti-tank missiles like Javelin are designed to home in on a target matching the heat profile of a tank rather than strictly the brightest object. This means that the efficacy of these decoys against a Javelin's sensor is uncertain. Nevertheless, the pipe may still distort the target box in the missile's infrared-imaging seeker, increasing the odds it lands off target.

Another countermeasure mounted on some Russian tanks appears to be a heat-emitting pipe, typically located at the rear of the turret where a tank's snorkel (used for river crossings) normally would be. This pipe is designed to emit heat and may serve as a decoy, making it more difficult for anti-tank missiles to target the actual tank.

It's also worth noting that while these countermeasures may provide some protection against anti-tank missiles like Javelin, they are not foolproof. The emitter on this pipe still appears to overhang the tank's rear hull when the gun is pointed forward, which means it may not be able to prevent crippling damage to the vehicle in all circumstances.

Ultimately, while these countermeasures provide an additional layer of protection for Russian tanks in Ukraine, they are not a guarantee against being hit. The effectiveness of these systems will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific capabilities of the tank and anti-tank missile in question, as well as the tactics and strategies employed by both sides.

In conclusion, modern Russian tanks deployed to Ukraine feature advanced countermeasures designed to protect them from anti-tank missiles like Javelin. While these systems may provide some protection, they are not foolproof and should be viewed as just one part of a comprehensive strategy for defending against anti-tank threats.

Modern russian tanks in ukraine