In order to increase the protection level of T-54/T-55/T-59/T-62 tanks, they can be fitted with additional armour modules on the hull glacis plate, turret front part, explosive reactive armour (ERA) on hull and turret, as well as hull side screens with ERA.

When upgrading the tanks, the modular design of armouring is used. This design has the following advantages:

possibility of re-equipping the tank later on as the armour as improved armour materials become available and new protection means emerge;
new approach to restoration of the armour hit by projectiles: the damaged module can be repleced in field conditions;
possibility of tank operation with the armour modules and ERA array removed in the peace time (in order to save fuel and to prolong the equipment service life), whenever necessary, the protection array can be quickly restored up to the full combat level;
as far as production is concerned: the modules will be manufactured at special production facilities separately, while only mounting elements will be welded onto the tank hull.

Installation of additional armour modules and explosive reactive armour

on the hull glacis plate

on the turret

hull side screens

Placement of ERA explosive components inside of armoured containers enables them to avoid being damaged by 7.62mm and 12.7mm bullets or by artillery shell splinters.The ERA explosive components do not detonate when hit by projectiles fired from automatic gun with calibre of up to 30 mm, nor they detonate when affected by incendiary mixtures of Napalm type or when exposed to damage effects of fuel-air explosive explosion.

Characteristics of Additional Protection

This design of protection makes it possible to considerably increase the tank protection against chemical energy attack weapons and kinetic energy attack weapons while the vehicle weight will not increase dramatically.The protection array consists of steel plates and ERA explosive components and makes it possible to reduce the piercing effect:

of chemical energy attack weapons - by 2.5...3;
of kinetic energy attack weapons - by 1.8.

The additional armour increases the protection level within the course angles of +35 degrees (for turret) and +20 degrees (for hull).

The hull and turret protection levels are shown on the diagram

Legend:

b	protection level
g	course angles
	level of T-55 tank protection against chemical energy attack weapons
	level of protection against chemical energy attack weapons after modernization
	level of T-55 tank protection against kinetic energy attack weapons
	level of protection against kinetic energy attack weapons after modernization

Thermal Protection of Power Pack

In order to make the tank less liable to be detected in the infra-red band and to decrease probability of being hit by heat-seeking warheads, the power pack compartment top deck is fitted with thermal protection devices. Due to the fact that the exhaust gases are mixed with the ejection-type cooling system air and ejected behind the turret rear, the hottest area is located not on the tank power pack compartment, but on a place located two meters behind the tank, and the thermal contrast is lower than that of T-54/T-55/T-59/T-62 tanks.

The offered thermal protection makes it possible to reduce the range of tank detection by 1.5 and to decrease 2-3 times the probabilityтof being hit by homing warheads of the SKEET type which selects a target according to its thermal contrast.

Optronic Countermeasures System

In order to increase protection of T-54/T-55/T-59/T-62 tanks against anti-tank guided missiles having semi-automatic tracer-guided control systems or semi-active laser-guided homing head, the tanks can be equipped with an optronic countermeasures system.

The system ensures the following:

decoyng away anti-tank guided missiles by means of setting light interference;
decoyng away incoming laser-beam riding anti-tank guided missiles having semi-active laser-guided warheads by means of laying quickly-generated aerosol screens.

The optronic countermeasures system includes an optronic suppression station and an aerosol screening system.

The optronic suppression station includes:

two illuminators;
two modulators;
control panel.

The illuminators and modulators are located outside the tank, while the control panel is installed inside the tank.

The aerosol screening system includes:

four sensors to detect laser beams directed at the tank. The sensors are installed on the turret roof in protective housings;
control unit, control panels and indicator which are installed inside the tank;
twelve aerosol grenade launchers to lay an aerosol screen. The launchers are installed either side of the turret (six on each side).

Fire Suppression System

In order to increase the protection of T-54/T-55/T-59/T-62 tanks and their crew members in case of fire in the crew compartment or power pack compartment, the quick-to-respond fire suppression system can be installed. The system ensuresтreduction of the response time in the crew compartment down to 150 ms, which reduces irretrievable losses by 20 %.The fire suppression system consists of:

optical sensors and heat sensors;
bottles with fire-extinguishing compound;
control equipment.

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