An odd-looking huge Russian tank was noticed in jap Ukraine a couple of months in the past.

Drones have dominated the battlefield in Ukraine, with low cost, unmanned floor/aerial autos taking out tanks price a number of thousand {dollars}. The Russian forces, one of many largest and most superior on the earth, are pressured to strategize their operations to counter aerial threats from Ukraine – a a lot smaller drive backed by NATO.

An odd-looking huge Russian tank was noticed in jap Ukraine a couple of months in the past. Coated with thick armoured sheets, modified T-72 and T-90 are Russia’s response to Ukrainian drones. The Russians name them ‘Tsar Mangal’, and Ukrainians name them ‘Turtle Tanks’.

Innovation on the Battlefield

The risk from drones grew to become imminent. Low cost UAVs emerged as a cost-effective possibility over the costly American Javelin heat-seeking anti-tank guided missile.

Movies of tanks attacked by First Particular person View (FPV) drones began rising final 12 months when Russian T-72s, T-80s, and T-90s Predominant Battle Tanks grew to become targets of those small armed aerial threats. Drones are used not only for limited-scale offensive operations but additionally for surveillance and guiding precision artillery fireplace.

The ‘Tsar Mangal’ has a thick steel sheet defending the roof, sides, and rear of a tank. Tsar Mangal has one other layer of a steel grill defending the steel sheets.

this factor is large. If it is function is only plow the mines, it may possibly work. Nevertheless it is clear that it may possibly’t intention correctly.

The tracks are nonetheless very susceptible. nevertheless the FPVs are actually arduous to intention into the tracks, due to excessive possibilities of shedding management over the drone on the… pic.twitter.com/JdIfLlPGzX

— ✙ Constantine ✙ (@Teoyaomiquu) May 5, 2024

The spot between the hull and the turret is susceptible due to the skinny armour plating. In the meantime, the rear of the tank is liable to assaults due to the engine compartment and armour field.

On April 9, these tanks have been seen for the primary time in Krasnohorivka, a metropolis in jap Ukraine’s Donetsk. A Ukrainian FPV drone attacked the tank, which was finally repelled. Stories say ‘Turtle Tanks’ or ‘Tsar Mangal’ have radio jammers for digital warfare. Digital jammers have confirmed efficient in countering approaching FPV drones.

Tsar Mangals are additionally used for mine-clearing operations for infantry combating autos and infantry items, however the steel roof restricts the 360-degree motion of the turret, limiting the manoeuvrability of the tank and lowering the visibility for the motive force and the gunner.

Yesterday, Ukraine’s Ministry of Protection shared a video of a drone attacking a ‘Turtle Tank’ and stated, “Occupiers made a ‘turtle’ tank however forgot to shut a hatch…drone pilots do not forgive such errors.”

Occupiers made a ‘turtle’ tank however forgot to shut a hatch…
🇺🇦 drone pilots do not forgive such errors.

📹: 93rd Mechanized Brigade pic.twitter.com/rHNxGbqgSk

— Protection of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 5, 2024

Classes From Ukraine

Just a few months in the past, Russia connected steel cages on high of tanks to guard their roof however proved ineffective. Also referred to as ‘Cope Cages’, the steel roofs have been first used in the course of the Armenia-Azerbaijan battle. The teachings from totally different battlefields proliferated, and Israel connected ‘Cope Cages’ to its Merkava IV tanks throughout its operation in Gaza. Even the Indian Military has put in steel roofs on its tanks positioned in Ladakh.

The Black Raven battalion in Ukraine’s 93 Mechanized Brigade, broadly thought to be one of the vital efficient items within the forces, has carried out a number of drone strikes.

Ukraine has set a goal of manufacturing one million drones by the top of the 12 months because the conflict drags on for an additional 12 months and a scarcity of arms and ammunition units in amid a funding crunch from Washington.