Nikolai Gushchin, head of the Machine-Building Design Bureau, told the press on 22 May that the Arena-E active protection system's development was nearing completion. The Russians plan to heavily market this system in Middle Eastern nations, in conjunction with their T-90 and upgraded T-72 Main Battle Tanks, as well as the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle.

The Arena's radar detects incoming shells at the distance of 50 meters from the tank, across a 270 degree sector. If a shell or a missile poses a threat to the tank, a protective round is fired and target tracking continues while the element is flying. Following that, the system gives a command to activate the element to destroy the projectile three to six meters away from the vehicle. The time between target detection and elimination is only 70 milliseconds.

The United States, France, Germany, Turkey and South Korea have all shown interest in purchasing Arena system. - Adam Geibel