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Russian-made T-72B3M main battle tanks upgraded with additional protection against drones have been spotted with the Libyan National Army (LNA).
A video and several photos showing the upgraded tanks along with other military vehicles appeared online on May 15. The footage was reportedly taken during a recent exercise by the Omar Almokhtar Battalion, an elite formation of the LNA — led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
The tanks are from the T-72B3 Obr. 2025 version, one of the latest upgrades by the manufacturer Uralvagonzavod based on experience from the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.
This upgrade focus on protection against drones, especially first-person view (FPV) suicide quadcopters. It includes the Relikt reactive armor on the hull sides and upper frontal plate, in addition to a set of cages or nets installed over the turret roof and in the rear. The upgrade also includes an anti-drone electronic warfare system.
T-72B3 Obr. 2025 of course retains other elements from the baseline B3 upgrade, like a new set of day and night capable sights, including the Sosna-U system for the gunner, as well as the brand new 2A46M-5 125 mm smoothbore cannon — capable of firing laser-guided 9K119 Refleks shells —, and the V-92S2F engine with up to 1130 horse power.
At least three T-72B3 Obr. 2025 appeared in the footage from the exercise by Omar Almokhtar Battalion. It is unclear, however, if the tanks are new, or were upgraded by Uralvagonzavod for the LNA.
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Besides the tanks, the footage shows a BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicle, also upgraded with additional protection against drones, mainly with a cage over the turret.
A Belarussian-made BTR-70MB1 armored personnel carrier also appeared in one of the photos. It was not upgraded in any way, however.
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Libya plunged into chaos following a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The country is now split between the Government of National Unity (GNU) in the capital, Tripoli, in the west, which is supported by an array of militia groups, and a rival government based in Benghazi in the east, backed by the House of Representatives and the LNA.
Over the last few years, the LNA has been boosting its capabilities, positioning itself as the most organized force in all of Libya.
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they call it tank-hijab.