A lot has been written about the new Russian T14 Armata tank, including its "Afghanit" Active Protection System.
I presume they named it that because it would have saved a lot of Russian lives in Afghanistan where US anti-tank missiles caused real problems.
I saw this video that suggested the Afghanit could make the T14 "Invincible".
My question is why are these claims being made about a new Russian tank when Israel has had a better system (Trophy APS) in operation on its Merkava IV tanks for years!
The Russian Afghanit APS is interesting, and shows they have been paying attention to the success of Trophy.
However it is a new system, not yet in operational use and untried in battle.
Russia currently has only 20 test versions of the T14 and the first order for operational tanks is for 32 tanks with delivery in 2021!
Afghanit does not deal with high-angle or rear-half threats which makes it vulnerable to top down missiles like Israel's Spike or attacks from behind.
It also cannot be used on the move. These are serious disadvantages because modern tanks can fire accurately when moving and are likely to face missile threats while moving and from above.
Israel's Trophy is better, battle tested and deployed on hundreds if not a thousand vehicles. It provides 360 degree and high angle protection, can be used on the move and has proved itself in battle dozens of times.
With the addition of the Iron Fist interceptor (already developed by IMI) it can also defeat APDS kinetic energy rounds, not that any of Israel's enemies actually have them!
Why isn't anyone posting about Trophy making the Merkava IV invincible?
This video has some good analysis.
