SOURCE: AFI
The High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) has made significant advancements in the development of Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) systems, critical for enhancing the survivability of tanks and armored vehicles on modern battlefields. These developments include ERA Mk-I, ERA Mk-II, and the next-generation NGERA (Next-Generation ERA), showcasing India’s growing self-reliance in advanced defense technologies.
HEMRL’s ERA Mk-I is already in service, providing enhanced protection for India’s T-72 tanks. Building on this success, the ERA Mk-II has been developed and is poised for induction on Arjun Mk-IA Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), As an import substitute for the T-90 tanks. The ERA Mk-II incorporates improved design and performance, meeting the evolving battlefield requirements for higher survivability against advanced anti-tank threats.
To address emerging threats, such as anti-tank missiles equipped with tandem-shaped charge warheads and kinetic energy projectiles, HEMRL has developed the Next-Generation Explosive Reactive Armour (NGERA).
This system features significant technological advancements:
Enhanced Explosive Composition:
- Based on a newly developed low-sensitivity explosive composition, containing two types of explosives along with optimized ingredients.
- Provides a long shelf life of over 15 years and is resistant to detonation from small arms fire.
Optimized Design and Fitment:
- The reactive elements are housed in metallic panels, which can be either bolted or welded onto tank surfaces.
- The design uses common-sized reactive elements for all panels, ensuring flexibility and ease of fitment across various tank platforms.
Protection Against Modern Threats:
- Consistently reduces penetration by:
- >50% for tandem-shaped charge warheads.
- >30% for Kinetic Energy (KE) projectiles, such as 125mm FSAPDS ammunition.
- Includes an internal shock attenuator to prevent sympathetic detonation of adjacent reactive modules.
NGERA has undergone extensive testing and evaluation, demonstrating its efficacy and also Successfully reduced penetration of in-service tandem-shaped charge warheads and KE projectiles in multiple tests.
Mock-up fitment on a T-72 tank was conducted at Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) to finalize installation aspects.
The system was developed in collaboration with Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) and CVRDE, tailored to meet the protection requirements of the Next-Generation Main Battle Tank (NGMBT). NGERA is adaptable to any tank platform, offering flexibility and modularity.
Salient Features of NGERA
- Enhanced Protection:
- Tandem-shaped charge warheads: >50% penetration reduction.
- KE projectiles (FSAPDS): >30% penetration reduction.
- Low-Sensitivity Explosive:
- Ensures safety and long shelf life (over 15 years).
- Immune to detonation from small arms fire.
- No Sympathetic Detonation: Adjacent modules remain unaffected upon impact.
- Modular Design:
- Common size of reactive elements across all panels.
- Additional tank weight: approximately 1.65 tons.