Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) have reinforced their Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) with chains to enhance protection against drone attacks, a response to the increased threat from Russian kamikaze drones. Originally produced in 1989, the Marder 1A3 features additional armor to guard against 30mm caliber rounds and improved resistance to cumulative munitions. However, reports indicate that previous anti-drone net designs proved ineffective, prompting the adoption of a more robust protective strategy. Photographs reveal that the UAF has adapted the vehicles with a distinctive double-decker metal frame, shielding the turret and hull, and laden with numerous steel chains to disrupt aerial threats. Despite these adaptations, concerns remain about the Marder’s off-road mobility, particularly noted by a Russian soldier involved in the recovery of a captured vehicle, who remarked on the poor traction due to the lack of aggressive tread patterns on its tracks. This innovative adaptation illustrates the ongoing adaptations in battlefield tactics and highlights the critical need for effective countermeasures against unmanned aerial threats in modern conflicts.
