HEMRL Develops Next-Gen Explosive Reactive Armour (NGERA) to Protect MBT Tanks Against HEAT Tandem and FSAPDS

The High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) has achieved a significant breakthrough in the development of Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) systems, crucial for protecting tanks and armored vehicles on the modern battlefield. Their latest innovation, the Next-Generation ERA (NGERA), offers enhanced protection against advanced anti-tank threats like tandem-shaped charge warheads and kinetic energy projectiles.

HEMRL has a proven track record in ERA development, with its ERA Mk-I already deployed on India's T-72 tanks. The ERA Mk-II, featuring improved design and performance, is ready for induction on Arjun Mk-IA Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and as an import substitute for T-90 tanks.

However, the NGERA represents a significant leap forward. This advanced system boasts a newly developed low-sensitivity explosive composition with a long shelf life of over 15 years, resistant to detonation from small arms fire. Its optimized design allows for flexible and easy fitment across various tank platforms.

Most importantly, NGERA offers superior protection against modern threats. It consistently reduces penetration by over 50% for tandem-shaped charge warheads and over 30% for Kinetic Energy (KE) projectiles, such as 125mm FSAPDS ammunition. An internal shock attenuator prevents sympathetic detonation of adjacent reactive modules, further enhancing survivability.

NGERA has undergone rigorous testing and evaluation, proving its effectiveness in multiple trials against in-service tandem-shaped charge warheads and KE projectiles. Mock-up fitment on a T-72 tank was conducted at the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) to finalize installation procedures.

Developed in collaboration with the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) and CVRDE, NGERA is tailored to meet the protection requirements of the Next-Generation Main Battle Tank (NGMBT). Its adaptable design allows for integration with any tank platform.

Key Features of NGERA​

• Enhanced Protection: Reduces penetration by over 50% for tandem-shaped charge warheads and over 30% for KE projectiles (FSAPDS).
• Low-Sensitivity Explosive: Ensures safety and a long shelf life exceeding 15 years, with immunity to detonation from small arms fire.
• No Sympathetic Detonation: Prevents chain reactions, ensuring that adjacent modules remain unaffected upon impact.
• Modular Design: Utilizes common-sized reactive elements for all panels, facilitating flexible fitment.
• Minimal Weight Penalty: Adds approximately 1.65 tons to the tank's weight.

With the development of NGERA, HEMRL has significantly strengthened India's self-reliance in advanced defence technologies and ensured that its armored vehicles remain protected against the evolving threats of modern warfare.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

The attack is going to come from the top by drones, you have to address that first. Whatever the ERA armor is there, tandem shaped charged warheads like the Russian Kornet missile will go through ERA armor. This was demonstrated in the Ukraine war. Abrams and Leopard tanks were easily defeated by Kornet missiles as we have seen. Both tanks are the best in the world.

The important issue is to provide an active protection system for tanks like the Israeli Trophy which is battle-proven. The USA has placed a large order with Israel for Trophy after realizing that their so-called latest modern armor on the Abrams was defeated as well.

The DRDO is working on an active system, we all know how it will turn out after 10 years or so like any typical project. It's because we are trying to reinvent the wheel. Can we afford to put our soldiers at risk and wait for the DRDO system? Or be smart enough to go to our friends in Israel and have a collaboration and equip all our tanks with it?

It costs nearly 1 million $ a piece. There is no sense in building a costly Arjun tank and leaving it vulnerable to top attack. All these ERA modules are placed on the front portion of the turret and sides, not back. This being so, the Hamas terrorists fired tandem warhead RPGs from behind on Israeli Merkava tanks and damaged them with a mobility kill if not destruction, and also on the tank's treads which are not protected by any armor.

There are 2 main lessons learned in the Israeli Hamas war about armor. That an RPG fired at very short ranges cannot be countered by the APS system as the radar and the electronics are not capable of having a solution to fire a counter projectile to stop the missile. Again the other is that drone top attack can't be countered by the Trophy APS system as it was not designed to protect from the top. The Trophy was designed nearly 2 decades ago and came into production in 2010 where all this form of warfare was not heard of. That's why even Merkavas have this shield on top as a stopgap solution to drones.

Israel is working on modifying the Trophy to be able to counter missiles from very close quarters and to also have top attack prevention.

What are we going to do? Wait till some drones take out our tanks and then react? It will surely happen in Ladakh if there is a skirmish that leads to tank warfare. The Zarowar tank will be a sitting duck to Chinese top attack drones.