2022 Nizh ERA enhances Ukrainian tanks’ defense

The protection of Ukraine's tanks was strengthened by the Ukrainian Nizh explosive reactive armor. It was produced in 2022. This was told by the Ukrainian tank crewman, who is known in Ukraine for his "Shawshank Redemption" YouTube channel.

The explosive reactive armor (ERA) demonstrated by the tank crewman was made in January 2022, even before the start of a full-scale invasion. The military also added that he has not yet seen the Nizh ERA of 2023. The third-generation Nizh ERA was developed by Ukrainian enterprises in 1997-1998, and adopted by the Ukrainian army in 2003.

Nizh KhSChKV-34 and KhShKV-19 ERA modules, which were manufactured in January 2022.

Ukraine. Photo credits: Shawshank Redemption

This ERA affects the attacking ammunition, creating an oncoming shaped charge. It occurs when detonating elongated shaped charges (i.e., "shaped charges knives") laid in modules of reactive armor.

Such an impact is able to destroy or destabilize the attacking ammunition, significantly reducing its striking characteristics. Before the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian army mounted Nizh ERA on T-64BM Bulat and ?-84 tanks.