T-72B3 Obr.2016 equipped with Arena-M APS

The T-72B3 underwent many different upgrade programs over the years since its first appearance in 2011. This includes the usage of different engines, a variety of different ERA packages like Relikt and Kontakt-5, utilization of soft bag ERA, slat armour encasing the engine bay, mounting of CITV on a small batch of T-72B3 tanks in 2014 for Tank Biathlon. These upgrades being the most common, overshadow one specific variant of the T-72B3. 

T-72B3 equipped with Arena-M (T09-A6). This variant was first shown in 2013 during the RAE expo in Lower Tagil, Russia. While only being a mockup, it gave a good idea of how the vehicle will look, if it ever mounts such a system. Two years later, during the RAE-2015, the vehicle was shown again.  

In 2019, an image appeared on the internet, showing a T-72B3 with Arena-M. It is presumed to be the prototype variant that is underground testing.      

T-72B3 Obr.2016 with Arena-M being prepared to cross a water 

To the present day, as of 27.06.2021, the TV channel "Первый канал" uploaded their monthly series called "Proving Grounds" where they show off different vehicles and talk about their performance. Throughout the video, several interesting vehicles are shown, one of these being a similar-looking vehicle to the T-72B3 Obr.2016 with Arena-M from 2019.

The vehicle shown in the video is a T-72B3 Obr.2016 with Arena-M. The most noticeable difference is that the vehicle lacks slat armour around the engine bay, while also featuring the standard Relikt ERA sideskirts. Overall, the Arena-M modules mounted on the side and rear of the turret retained the same mounting scheme as on the 2013 and 2019 vehicles. 

Additionally, the vehicle is paired with an engineering/towing vehicle. Probably undergoing testing/training for both crews on how to operate such vehicles in tandem, in cases where it is necessary to extract the leading vehicle.

T-72B3 Obr.2016 with Arena-M fording a water obstacle

Demonstration variant of the T-72B3 with Arena-M RAE-2015, Lower Tagil, Russia

Prototype T-72B3 Obr.2016 equipped with Arena-M (T09-A6) undergoing testing in 2018/2019

T-72B3 Obr.2016 Arena-M testing against RPG-7 in 2018-2019

Snippets were taken from the original video for analysis purposes. 

In conclusion, it seems like Russia is finally trying to finalize the Arena-M system. It's been around 9 years since the APS was first shown as a mockup. UVZ offering their most abundant T-72B3 variant hints at a potential move to mount Arena-M on a larger scale than the average small batch programs, like Arena-E on the T-80UM-1 from the early 2000s. 


Editors note: Initially the price to mount Arena-M on a T-72B3 was around 5 million Rubles according to a contract from 2017 between UVZ and KBM (Kolomna), that stated to modernize 1 T-72B3 Obr.2016 with Arena-M. Assuming the best-case scenario, while also taking this newly video into account... RF MoD deliberately showing a prototype vehicle to a broad audience can only hint towards 1 thing. UVZ is planning on presenting a T-72B3 Obr.2016 with Arena-M to the public in the near future. The APS might be entering its final testing phase and it is planned to be mounted on T-72B3s. 
It is the most educated guess I can give since there is sadly no official confirmation so far about this specific variant. 

Hopefully, KBM is successful with this program and can provide their product to manufacturers like UVZ or even KBMT Omsktransmash. 

Taken from: 1st Channel (Первый канал), BMPD