The Israeli company Plasan has announced three new protection systems for military vehicles designed to address threats that are becoming increasingly common in modern conflicts, such as FPV drones, top-attack munitions, and landmines.
The new systems have been named LAPS, ATHENA, and TAPS, each focused on a specific type of threat. According to the company, the initiative reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts, especially in Ukraine, where low-cost drones and guided munitions have become a constant challenge for armored vehicles.
The LAPS (Leg Active Protection System) was designed to reduce leg injuries caused by mine blasts and improvised explosive devices. The system detects the explosion in milliseconds and lifts the occupants’ legs before the shock wave reaches the vehicle interior, reducing the risk of fractures and amputations. According to Plasan, the technology does not add significant weight or take up extra space inside the vehicle.
The ATHENA (Advanced Thickening Energetic Armour) was developed to protect the upper section of armored vehicles against vertical-attack munitions and shaped charges, threats that have gained prominence with the proliferation of kamikaze drones and loitering munitions. The system aims to reinforce one of the traditionally most vulnerable areas of military vehicles: the roof.
Finally, the TAPS (Top Attack Protection System) offers an additional layer of protection against attacks from above and has already been tested by several Western armies, having been approved for operational use. The solution is part of the layered-defense concept, considered increasingly necessary amid the evolution of low-cost aerial threats.
According to the website Defence Blog, the solutions will be officially presented during the Eurosatory 2026 defense exhibition in Paris, which runs from June 15 to 19.
The presentation of the new systems comes at a time when armed forces around the world are seeking to adapt their armored vehicles to a scenario in which drones, guided munitions, and precision attacks are challenging traditional protection concepts.
Experts point out that the trend is to combine passive armor, active systems, and electronic warfare resources to increase vehicle survivability on the modern battlefield.
Photos: Plasan / Handout. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
