Syrian armed forces develop new upgrade for its range of
combat vehicle with local-made armour cage to increase protection against
anti-tank-missile and RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade). Many pictures are
published on the website ARMY RECOGNITION showing T-72 fitted with armour cage, but also
the ZSU-23-4 Shilka anti-aircraft gun.
Syrian “Trophy System”[1] The Syrian armed forces
have upgraded its combat vehicles with a local-made armor cage, to increase
protection against anti-tank-missile and RPG. According some military sources,
the combat vehicles have been upgraded to be protected during urban combat
operations. The hull of the Syrian ZSU-23-4 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun is
covered at the front, rear and on each side with an armor cage which seems to
be designed and fitted locally. The lower part of this armor is fitted with
closely spaced chains with ball ends.
[1] Reference to the same-named more sophisticated Israeli
design in Israeli and US armies.
The Trophy system proved its high effectiveness in repelling
single launches of anti-tank missiles and rocket grenades, including launches
from different directions. However, the active protection system still can’t
sustain fighting two or three anti-tank munitions launched at a minimum
interval. This technology is used in Russia’s latest systems, for example, the
upgraded Kornet system and single-use grenade launchers,” the source said.
Specifically, these are the Russian-made Kornet-EM
self-propelled anti-tank system and the RPG-30 single-use grenade launcher. The
Kornet-EM is capable of firing two missiles in one beam with a minimum interval
while the RPG-30 is furnished with a decoy rocket fired immediately before
launching the main rocket. The Trophy active protection system still needs to
work on effectively fighting anti-tank weapons based on this principle, the
source noted.
The Trophy active protection system is operational in the
Israeli and US armies. According to the data of the Israeli defense technology
company Rafael, the system has logged 500,000 hours of its continuous operation
on various types of armor. This past March, a new contract to the tune of $79.6
million for the delivery of Trophy active protection systems for US M1A2 Abrams
tanks was signed.
