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Russian tank fad has reached the British Army’s Challenger 2
The British Army is reportedly considering modifications to its Challenger 2 main battle tanks, incorporating ‘cope cages’ in response to evolving battlefield threats. Sources indicate that the United Kingdom is actively testing these enhancements on some of its armored vehicles, evaluating their effectiveness under real-world conditions.
While the concept of external protective frameworks is not new, its adoption by Western militaries signals a shift in armored warfare strategy. Russia was the first to implement such modifications on its tanks well before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, initially deploying them on T-80 tanks observed entering Crimea in late 2021. These structures, commonly referred to as ‘slat armor’ or ‘cope cages,’ were designed to mitigate the impact of drone and missile attacks.
However, this is not the first time that Britain has used such structures. Although Russian tanks introduced the fashion for cope cages on the turrets of their tanks, London has long used similar grilles, but on armored vehicles for infantry. An example of this is the ground armored vehicles used by infantry in Afghanistan. However, there these grills were mounted on the sides and rear of the vehicles.
Testing of these adaptations is ongoing at Army Training Unit [ATU] facilities, where assessments focus on vehicle functionality, crew accessibility, storage implications, and maintenance requirements. Technical evaluations are also being conducted to determine their impact on the tank’s signature and overall defensive capabilities.
The UK is currently upgrading 148 Challenger 2 tanks to the Challenger 3 standard, incorporating advanced turret and weapon systems alongside next-generation composite armor and active protection solutions. However, it remains uncertain whether these additional protective structures will be integrated into the Challenger 3 platform, which is not expected to achieve initial operational capability until at least 2027.
Israeli forces have been seen equipping their Merkava tanks with these structures, particularly in response to threats from drones during conflicts in regions like Gaza. This decision was influenced by the effectiveness of such defenses in other conflicts, notably in Ukraine, where both Russian and Ukrainian tanks have been fitted with various forms of ‘cope cages’ to counter drone attacks and top-down missile strikes.
In Ukraine, both sides of the conflict have utilized these cages, with Ukrainian forces adapting them to their Western-supplied tanks like the M1 Abrams and even the British Challenger 2 tanks. The cages on these vehicles are often tailored to maximize protection against specific threats while minimizing impact on the vehicle’s operational capabilities.
China has also been observed conducting military drills where tanks, particularly those from the T-72 series, were fitted with similar protective structures, learning from the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts where drones have played a significant role.
Argentina has been noted testing ‘cope cages’ on their TAM tanks during exercises, as a measure against FPV [First Person View] drones, indicating a global trend towards adapting to new warfare technologies.
A “cope cage” is an improvised protective structure mounted on the turret of a tank, designed primarily to counter threats from aerial munitions, particularly loitering drones and top-attack missiles.
Constructed from steel bars, welded metal grates, or reinforced mesh, these cages form a barrier above the turret, creating an additional layer of defense against incoming projectiles. Some designs incorporate angled plates or spaced armor elements to further disrupt the impact and detonation of explosives before they reach the tank’s main armor.
In some configurations, the cage features crossbars or additional reinforcement to withstand the kinetic force of an impact, preventing fragmentation from reaching critical components. The height and angle of the structure vary depending on the vehicle’s profile and the nature of the threats it is expected to encounter.
On the battlefield, cope cages are intended to counter the increasing use of drone-dropped munitions and modern anti-tank guided missiles that attack from above, where armor is generally thinner.
Some advanced munitions, particularly those with tandem-charge warheads, are designed to penetrate reactive armor and may still pose a significant threat despite the presence of a cope cage.
While not a foolproof solution, cope cages provide an additional defensive measure that can make a critical difference in survivability. Their effectiveness largely depends on the type of attack and the quality of construction, as poorly designed versions can add unnecessary weight and hinder turret movement.
Nonetheless, their widespread adoption in modern conflicts highlights the growing need for adaptable countermeasures against evolving battlefield threats.
Bulgarian Military