Russian T-90’s Relikt armor withstand a direct hit of 150mm NLAW

A tank of the Russian Armed Forces as part of an assault column was able to withstand a hit by a missile fired by an NLAW and the subsequent explosion of a mine without ceasing to perform a combat mission. The tankers were evacuated only after the offensive mission was completed. The Russian crew’s feat was told by the press officer of the Russian Ministry of Defense, quoted by RIA Novosti and OverCloskers.

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According to the commander, the tank advanced in the direction of the enemy as part of an assault group on the Avdeevka attack direction and caused a fire on itself, allowing the second armored vehicle to make a bypass maneuver. However, neither the commander nor the Russian media that quoted him say the model of the tank.

Meanwhile, an infantry fighting vehicle descended under the cover of heavy armored vehicles. As the battle continues, the lead-tracked machine is attacked by an anti-tank missile fired from a Swedish 150mm NLAW grenade launcher.

Although the tank was damaged, it continued to actively move, maintaining the fire shaft. And at the moment of his maneuver, he ran into a minefield after detonating the munitions installed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And even after the explosion, the tankers did not leave the battlefield, firing from stationary vehicles. Only after protecting the advancing column, the crew of the stopped tank was evacuated.

Could be a T-90M tank?

Although there is no mention of the model of the tank, if the claims from the Russian side are true, it is possible that the tank was a T-90M Proriv. That’s why: the NLAW missile is a modern anti-tank weapon that can penetrate most types of armor. However, the Russian military has developed a new type of reactive armor that can withstand a direct hit by an NLAW missile. This type of armor is known as Relikt and it is currently installed on the T-90M and T-14 Armata tanks.

Relikt armor is a type of explosive reactive armor that uses a combination of metal plates and explosive charges to neutralize the impact of incoming missiles. When a missile hits the armor, the explosive charges detonate, creating a shockwave that disrupts the missile’s trajectory and reduces its penetration power. The metal plates then absorb the remaining energy of the missile, preventing it from penetrating the tank’s main armor.

The Relikt armor is highly effective against all types of anti-tank missiles, including the NLAW. It provides a high level of protection for the crew and critical components of the tank, such as the engine and ammunition storage. The armor is also designed to be modular, which means that damaged sections can be easily replaced in the field.

The T-90M and T-14 Armata tanks are currently the only Russian tanks that have the Relikt armor installed. These tanks are considered to be among the most advanced and well-protected tanks in the world. The Relikt armor gives them a significant advantage over other tanks in terms of survivability and combat effectiveness. It is expected that the Russian military will continue to develop and improve this type of armor in the future.

Could it have been another tank?

The short answer is no, and the broader answer is “almost impossible.” There is no Russian tank defense system [except Relikt, as claimed by Russia] that can withstand a direct hit by an NLAW missile. The NLAW [Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon] is a portable anti-tank missile system that is designed to penetrate even the toughest armor.

It is highly effective against tanks and other armored vehicles and can cause significant damage even with a near miss. Therefore, Russian tanks need to have effective countermeasures to avoid being hit by an NLAW missile.

Russian tanks typically use a combination of active and passive defense systems to protect against anti-tank missiles like the NLAW. Active defense systems, such as the Arena-E, are designed to intercept incoming missiles before they can hit the tank. Passive defense systems, such as reactive armor, are designed to absorb the impact of an incoming missile and reduce its effectiveness.

However, even with these systems in place, there is no guarantee that a tank will be able to withstand a direct hit from an NLAW missile.

About 150mm NLAW

The 150mm NLAW [Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon] is a portable, shoulder-launched, anti-tank missile system developed by Saab Bofors Dynamics for use by infantry units. It is designed to engage and destroy main battle tanks, armored vehicles, and other hardened targets at ranges of up to 600 meters. The missile is guided by a semi-automatic command-to-line-of-sight [SACLOS] system, which allows the operator to guide the missile to the target using a joystick.

The missile is equipped with a tandem-shaped charge warhead, which is capable of penetrating up to 600mm of armor. The missile has a length of 1.2 meters, a weight of 12.5 kg, and a diameter of 150mm.

The NLAW is a highly effective anti-tank weapon that can be used in a variety of combat situations. It is particularly useful in urban environments, where it can be used to engage enemy armored vehicles in close-quarters combat.

The missile’s SACLOS guidance system allows it to be used in situations where the operator has a clear line of sight to the target, making it ideal for use in urban environments where buildings and other structures can obstruct the operator’s view. The missile’s tandem-shaped charge warhead is highly effective against modern armor, allowing it to penetrate even the most heavily armored vehicles.

The NLAW is also highly portable, making it easy to transport and deploy in the field. The missile can be carried by a single soldier and can be fired from a variety of positions, including from behind cover. This makes it an ideal weapon for use by infantry units operating in a variety of environments, including urban, jungle, and desert environments.

The missile’s ease of use and portability make it an ideal weapon for use by special forces units, which often operate in small teams and require weapons that are easy to transport and deploy.

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