A Ukrainian serviceman with an FGM-148 Javelin, a US-made portable anti-tank missile, near Kharkiv on March 23, 2022. AFP
A Ukrainian serviceman with an FGM-148 Javelin, a US-made portable anti-tank missile, near Kharkiv on March 23, 2022. AFP
A Ukrainian serviceman with an FGM-148 Javelin, a US-made portable anti-tank missile, near Kharkiv on March 23, 2022. AFP
A Ukrainian serviceman with an FGM-148 Javelin, a US-made portable anti-tank missile, near Kharkiv on March 23, 2022. AFP

How Javelin missiles penetrate Russian tank cage armour


Robert Tollast
  • English
  • Arabic

In November 2021, defence analysts noticed that Russian tanks were sporting strange cages on top of their turrets.

Unmistakably, this was “slat armour”, or cage armour, designed to deflect incoming anti-tank missiles or shells, knocking them off trajectory, crushing their fuses before they hit the tank’s main armour or detonating them before they reach the tank.

Evidently, the armour has not been effective, as shown by conflict monitors who have identified hundreds of destroyed Russian tanks, many with the cages lying idly beside the wrecks.

  • In the courtyard of their house, Vlad Tanyuk, 6, stands near the grave of his mother Ira Tanyuk, who died because of starvation and stress due to the war, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
    In the courtyard of their house, Vlad Tanyuk, 6, stands near the grave of his mother Ira Tanyuk, who died because of starvation and stress due to the war, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
  • A Ukrainian soldier walks with children passing destroyed cars due to the war against Russia, in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
    A Ukrainian soldier walks with children passing destroyed cars due to the war against Russia, in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
  • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy surveys the destruction in Bucha. AFP
    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy surveys the destruction in Bucha. AFP
  • Residential buildings damaged during fighting in the southern port city of Mariupol. Reuters
    Residential buildings damaged during fighting in the southern port city of Mariupol. Reuters
  • A bridge damaged by shelling in Bucha. EPA
    A bridge damaged by shelling in Bucha. EPA
  • A soldier stationed in Bucha, after the city was the recaptured by the Ukrainian army. EPA
    A soldier stationed in Bucha, after the city was the recaptured by the Ukrainian army. EPA
  • Chervona Voloshin kisses Varvara Statenova goodbye as she heads home to Kyiv after being housed at a shelter for displaced people in Lviv, Ukraine. Getty Images
    Chervona Voloshin kisses Varvara Statenova goodbye as she heads home to Kyiv after being housed at a shelter for displaced people in Lviv, Ukraine. Getty Images
  • Parts of a destroyed aircraft at the Antonov airport in Hostomel, outskirts of Kyiv. AP
    Parts of a destroyed aircraft at the Antonov airport in Hostomel, outskirts of Kyiv. AP
  • A Ukrainian territorial defence serviceman walks past a destroyed Russian armoured personnel carrier in the town of Borodianka, north-west of Kyiv. AFP
    A Ukrainian territorial defence serviceman walks past a destroyed Russian armoured personnel carrier in the town of Borodianka, north-west of Kyiv. AFP
  • Tanya Nedashkivska recounts how her husband Vasyl Ivanovych, who served in Ukraine’s navy, was killed by Russian soldiers, in Bucha, Ukraine. He was arrested by Russian soldiers. Tanya looked for him for days and found him in a building's basement where two bodies were lying. She recognised him by his shoes and trousers. AP
    Tanya Nedashkivska recounts how her husband Vasyl Ivanovych, who served in Ukraine’s navy, was killed by Russian soldiers, in Bucha, Ukraine. He was arrested by Russian soldiers. Tanya looked for him for days and found him in a building's basement where two bodies were lying. She recognised him by his shoes and trousers. AP
  • Damaged residential buildings in the southern port city of Mariupol. Reuters
    Damaged residential buildings in the southern port city of Mariupol. Reuters
  • Families arrive to board a train at Kramatorsk central station as they flee the eastern city, in the Donbas region. AFP
    Families arrive to board a train at Kramatorsk central station as they flee the eastern city, in the Donbas region. AFP
  • Romanian politicians listen to President Zelenskyy’s speech by video link, on a screen in the parliament in Bucharest. AP
    Romanian politicians listen to President Zelenskyy’s speech by video link, on a screen in the parliament in Bucharest. AP
  • The remains of a Russian Su-35 aircraft that was hit by the Ukrainian armed forces in Kharkiv. Reuters
    The remains of a Russian Su-35 aircraft that was hit by the Ukrainian armed forces in Kharkiv. Reuters
  • A damaged monument to Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko in the besieged city of Mariupol, southern Ukraine. Reuters
    A damaged monument to Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko in the besieged city of Mariupol, southern Ukraine. Reuters
  • A man removes a door covering the opening to an underground concrete enclosure in which bodies of civilians killed by Russian forces, residents say, were dumped as people were unable to transport them to a cemetery in Bucha, Ukraine. AP
    A man removes a door covering the opening to an underground concrete enclosure in which bodies of civilians killed by Russian forces, residents say, were dumped as people were unable to transport them to a cemetery in Bucha, Ukraine. AP
  • A Ukrainian soldier tries to convince a puppy to drink milk as residents wait for distribution of food products in Motyzhyn, Ukraine, which was until recently under the control of the Russian military. AP
    A Ukrainian soldier tries to convince a puppy to drink milk as residents wait for distribution of food products in Motyzhyn, Ukraine, which was until recently under the control of the Russian military. AP
  • The pain of war is evident as women wait for food aid in the village of Motyzhyn. AP
    The pain of war is evident as women wait for food aid in the village of Motyzhyn. AP
  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appears on screen during the 64th Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. AFP
    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appears on screen during the 64th Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. AFP
  • The gutted interior of a theatre in central Mariupol, destroyed in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict. Reuters
    The gutted interior of a theatre in central Mariupol, destroyed in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict. Reuters
  • Desolation in Mariupol which has suffered intense bombardment. Reuters
    Desolation in Mariupol which has suffered intense bombardment. Reuters
  • A Ukrainian soldier walks in front of the remains of an Antonov An-225 Mriya cargo plane, the world's biggest aircraft, destroyed by Russian troops at an airfield in the city of Hostomel, in the Kyiv region. Reuters
    A Ukrainian soldier walks in front of the remains of an Antonov An-225 Mriya cargo plane, the world's biggest aircraft, destroyed by Russian troops at an airfield in the city of Hostomel, in the Kyiv region. Reuters
  • A local woman salutes Ukrainian soldiers in the Chernihiv region. Reuters
    A local woman salutes Ukrainian soldiers in the Chernihiv region. Reuters
  • A woman hugs a Ukrainian soldier after a convoy of military and aid vehicles arrived in the formerly Russian-occupied town of Bucha, near Kyiv. AP
    A woman hugs a Ukrainian soldier after a convoy of military and aid vehicles arrived in the formerly Russian-occupied town of Bucha, near Kyiv. AP
  • Smoke rises after an attack by Russian forces in Odesa. AFP
    Smoke rises after an attack by Russian forces in Odesa. AFP
  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presents an award to an injured Ukrainian service member at a military hospital in Kyiv. Reuters
    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presents an award to an injured Ukrainian service member at a military hospital in Kyiv. Reuters
  • A destroyed building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. AFP
    A destroyed building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. AFP
  • People, mainly women and children, pass through the Medyka border crossing on their journey out of Ukraine and into Poland. Getty
    People, mainly women and children, pass through the Medyka border crossing on their journey out of Ukraine and into Poland. Getty

For small missile and rocket-propelled grenade warheads, analysts say this kind of cage armour has a decent chance of success and is used by militaries the world over.

But why was it placed on the tank’s roof?

The type of shoulder-launched weapons that cage armour can stop, such as the rocket-propelled grenade launcher (RPG) are typically fired horizontally at the front, back or sides of a tank.

Some modern anti-tank missiles supplied to Ukraine, such as the Javelin and Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon (NLAW) are designed to explode above a tank's thin roof armour – leading some observers to think the cages were a haphazard DIY defence against this "top attack".

But this might not be the case. In December, one Russian defence analyst had observed how cage armour would not stop a modern anti-tank missile.

Dmitry Litovkin told Russia's Tass news agency that slat armour was "less effective against tandem-charge high-explosive munitions", or weapons that have two explosive charges, one to blast away defensive armour, and a bigger, main charge.

That is exactly how Javelin and NLAW missiles work, suggesting the Russians might have had another defence in mind, possibly drones with small missile warheads attacking from above, or RPGs being fired from rooftops in urban battles, a problem Russia encountered in Chechnya.

On a Russian T-72 tank, frontal armour is the equivalent of about 500mm of steel, but on the roof it is far less – as little as 30mm.

Top attack weapons

Modern anti-tank weapons such as the Javelin, which was already in service in Ukraine before the invasion, have what is called a “top attack” mode precisely for this reason – targeting thin top turret armour.

A number of analysts recently explained that the problem with these cages is that a lot of anti-tank weapons in use in Ukraine do not have a fuse in the nose – negating one of the cage’s protective methods of crushing the fuse.

The principle behind cage armour dates back to the Second World War when German tanks were fitted with “spaced armour” to destroy or deflect incoming anti-tank shells.

Arms research service Calibre Obscura describes the usual circumstances where the armour can work.

“Essentially the main thing with these cages is that they seek to replicate slat, or cage armour, which has genuine effectiveness when it comes to armoured vehicles, as it has the ability to disrupt some (but not all) RPG variants, such as the PG-7V and reduce the likelihood of a successful hit,” according to Calibre Obscura.

US forces briefly experimented with cage armour during the Vietnam war but decided it limited vehicle mobility because of its bulk and weight.

Lightweight cage armour variants, including aluminium armour, were later used by coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Why the cages can't stop Javelins

In the late 1980s, modern anti-tank weapons were developed to target tank turret roofs.

Some Russian tanks subsequently have explosive armour on their roofs to deflect missiles, but modern anti-tank weapons have a "tandem charge" that explodes to detonate the armour, before the more powerful main warhead detonates.

For the main warhead, missiles such as the Javelin and the NLAW use what is known as a shaped explosive charge which concentrates explosive power to defeat armour.

Test videos of American Tow missiles in top attack mode against Soviet era T-72 tanks show the missile exploding far above the tank’s roof – well above the height of any cage.

Sensors in the missile know exactly when it is flying over the target.

The Tow missile explodes several metres above the T-72, causing a catastrophic explosion. Similarly, the top attack mode of the NLAW and the Javelin have a proximity fuse, meaning that it does not have to make contact with cage armour before detonating.

In both cases, a jet of superheated metal is directed into the tank – capable of penetrating hundreds of millimetres of steel. Any cage therefore, would be rendered useless.

Calibre Obscura believes that even in cases where the slat armour could be useful, perhaps against small "kamikaze drones" or small munitions fired or dropped from drones, the DIY nature of the Russian cages could still be a fatal flaw.

Quality engineering "does not apply to the 'cope cage'," the group wrote, using a popular online term for the armour.

"The 'grill' appears to be less dense than proper cage armour and constructed from random household materials in some cases."

The US recently sent Ukraine Switchblade 600 loitering munitions, or "kamikaze drones", which can be used to attack the roofs of tanks, although there is no evidence they have been used in the conflict so far.

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

Biog:

Age: 34

Favourite superhero: Batman

Favourite sport: anything extreme

Favourite person: Muhammad Ali 

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1. Jordan Spieth (USA) 65 69 65 69 - 12-under-par
2. Matt Kuchar (USA) 65 71 66 69 - 9-under
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T4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71 68 69 67 - 5-under
T4. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 67 73 67 68 - 5-under
T6. Marc Leishman (AUS) 69 76 66 65 - 4-under
T6. Matthew Southgate (ENG) 72 72 67 65 - 4-under
T6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 65 72 68 71 - 4-under
T6. Branden Grace (RSA) 70 74 62 70 - 4-under
T6. Alexander Noren (SWE)  68 72 69 67 - 4-under

THE SPECS

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE

Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors

Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode

Power: 121hp

Torque: 142Nm

Price: Dh95,900

Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
Three stars

Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Anxiety and work stress major factors

Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.

A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.

Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.

One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.

It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."

Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.

“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi. 

“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."

Daniel Bardsley

Scores in brief:

Boost Defenders 205-5 in 20 overs
(Colin Ingram 84 not out, Cameron Delport 36, William Somerville 2-28)
bt Auckland Aces 170 for 5 in 20 overs
(Rob O’Donnell 67 not out, Kyle Abbott 3-21).

Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea
 Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)

Profile Idealz

Company: Idealz

Founded: January 2018

Based: Dubai

Sector: E-commerce

Size: (employees): 22

Investors: Co-founders and Venture Partners (9 per cent)

Updated: April 07, 2022, 10:05 AM