The British Army is reportedly exploring the installation of “cope cages” on its Challenger 2 main battle tanks to enhance protection against drones and anti-tank munitions.
The information was shared at the recent DefenceIQ International Armored Vehicles conference and exhibition in Farnborough, attended by defense officials and enthusiasts from over 50 countries.
“Cope cages” are physical deterrents designed to disrupt or block the flight paths of incoming anti-tank weapons, providing added protection to armored vehicles.
They are typically mounted on the sides of vehicles, but the British Army is considering placing them on the turret roof of the Challenger 2 tanks, where they are most vulnerable.
Once installed, the cope cages are expected to trigger premature detonation of munitions like RPGs, lowering the risk of damage to the tanks.
A Familiar Move?
While not common among Western nations, the installation of protective barriers on armored vehicles has been adopted by some militaries worldwide.
For instance, Russia implemented such modifications before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with T-80 tanks seen in Crimea equipped with “slat armor” to reduce the impact of drone and missile strikes.
The Ukrainian military has also followed suit, outfitting captured Russian T-90A tanks with foldable mesh structures at the rear for added protection.
During the Iraq and Afghanistan wars of the 2000s, the UK employed a similar strategy, using protective grills on infantry armored vehicles.
In occupied #Crimea, this #Russia|n tank is fitted with what looks like a type of slat armour over the turret specifically designed to protect against top down attack like the Javelin ATGM, which are now in use by #Ukraine’s armed forces:
— Alexander Kokcharov (@alex_kokcharov) November 23, 2021
