Assault “Hedgehogs”: Russia Equips Tanks With Massive Steel-Cable Domes

Russian forces have shown assault “hedgehogs” — tanks fitted with massive steel-cable anti-drone structures, mine trawls and electronic warfare systems.

The photos were published by the Vodohray Telegram channel.

The images show a T-80BVM with a TMT-K mine trawl and a T-72B3 with a KMT-7 mine trawl.

Both vehicles are fitted with large superstructures resembling “grills,” densely wrapped in steel cables that cover the upper, rear and partially front sections of the tanks.

The chassis of the tanks is also covered with steel cables.

On the T-80BVM, an electronic warfare system is mounted on top of the steel-cable structure.

The protection is intended primarily to counter FPV drones, which are widely used along the front line.

Unlike standard “barbecue” or “shed-type” add-on armor, which often fails to stop drones, these “hedgehog” structures can damage drone propellers, entangle the airframe in the cables and disable the warhead.

However, the modifications significantly increase the vehicle’s weight and size and complicate operation.