Russian Turtle Tanks

The fight against drones on the Ukrainian battlefield is constantly changing the way both sides are approaching the battle. The “turtle tank” is Russia’s latest adaptation in this fight to combat FPV drones. FPV drones have become extremely popular due to the low cost and high return on investment. Some of these drones are capable of destroying tanks with a well placed hit.

With such a deadly threat hanging overhead it seems some Russian tank operators have taken matters into their own hands to better protect themselves. What were originally called “cope cages” have now over time evolved into the “turtle tank”. A vehicle that despite the dumb name and silly look are proving themselves to be an effective tool.

The turtle tank is a normal tank with a fabricated “shell” that is placed around the outside of the tank in an attempt to move the explosions farther away from the sensitive parts of the tank. They are often seen with various drone jammers on the very top of the tank.

This armor package severely limits the operability of the turret’s rotation as well as cuts visibility for everyone inside. The overall silhouette of the tank greatly increases as well as the weight. This makes for slower, bulkier tanks that are easier to spot, however where they lack in stealth it makes up in survivability of crew, something tanks crews tend to prioritize.

A lot of the videos coming out show these turtle tanks serving in the mine clearing role. A crucial tool in the assault of a position, these mine clearing tanks are highly valuable targets. So seeing this improvised armor package being used on many of the tanks in this role isn’t all that surprising. Mine clearing can often be a slow task and the soldiers and equipment used is often targeted to slow and even stop some advances from continuing forward.

Having a tool like the turtle tank that can in theory take multiple hits from drones, and less effective anti-tank munitions, while still remaining operable and able to finish clearing a pathway is invaluable. While these are a relatively new adaptation it is unclear how effective the turtle tank will perform over time and in large numbers. Early reports were saying the new tanks were very successful in providing an extra layer of defense against smaller munitions and some drones.

This latest adaptation has yet to see large-scale use, but the past week or so has seen many more of these vehicles coming out, all with their own variations on design and materials. While this is an extra layer of protection it does not make the tank invulnerable. The threat of mines, artillery, better anti-tank weapons like Javelin and even precision missiles all still exist, and all still can devastate a turtle tank. In the end, having one less thing to worry about in war is a good enough reason in my book so i say make every tank a turtle tank!

Drivers POV