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Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
What are Cope Cages? Is this the new battle tech? Ukraine war sees bizarre armor to outsmart deadly drones
Cope Cages are Ukraine's unconventional answer to one of modern warfare's deadliest threats — cheap, explosive-laden FPV drones. Born from battlefield necessity, these DIY anti-drone armors are welded onto tanks, Humvees, and Bradleys, turning them into makeshift fortresses. What began in 2022 as crude steel grids has evolved into engineered mesh shields and angled plates designed to deflect or detonate drones before impact. On the front lines, soldiers and mechanics are rethinking protection in real time, proving that in today's war, innovation isn't always high-tech — sometimes it's a steel cage, built by hand, that decides whether a vehicle survives. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Why cages are appearing on nearly every frontline vehicle The rise of 'cope cages' — steel frameworks bolted, welded, or strapped onto the tops and sides of vehicles — is directly tied to the explosion of cheap, lethal first-person-view (FPV) drones on the battlefield. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Still Chasing Random Stock Advice Online? Teji Mandi Buy Now Undo In 2024, Ukrainian military intelligence estimated that small explosive drones were responsible for disabling or destroying up to 40% of front-line armored vehicles. Russian forces reached similar conclusions, prompting both armies to adapt. The economics are brutal. A $500 FPV drone carrying a shaped charge can turn a $10 million Abrams or a Soviet-era T-72 into a smoldering wreck in seconds. The cages, often made from scrap rebar, salvaged fencing, or purpose-built steel plates, are a last line of defense against this imbalance. Live Events Cope Cages: Ukraine's strange-looking armor that's saving vehicles from drones Cope Cages are Ukraine's improvised yet increasingly sophisticated armor systems designed to protect military vehicles from deadly FPV drone strikes. These steel frames, mesh coverings, and angled plates — welded onto tanks, Humvees, and Bradleys — act as a shield to block or detonate incoming drones before they hit critical parts. First seen in 2022 as crude 'cage' add-ons, they've since evolved into battlefield-tested defenses shaped by trial, error, and necessity. From crude frames to battlefield craftsmanship The early versions of cage armor in 2022 were laughably basic — little more than welded grids that offered minimal coverage. By late 2023, workshops in Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia had transformed them into highly customized systems. Cages have been seen with angled deflectors to force drones off-course, layered mesh to detonate charges prematurely, and even rotating mounts designed to allow crews to fire through the grid. Some Ukrainian units now coordinate directly with metallurgical plants like Metinvest to source 8 mm hardened steel plates. These aren't just slapped on tanks — they're engineered to balance weight, visibility, and mobility. The goal: protect against a direct top-down strike without crippling the vehicle's suspension or blocking hatches. The Russian 'turtle tank' problem Across the front line, Russia has taken the concept to extremes. Their so-called 'turtle tanks' — T-62s and T-72s encased in full steel boxes with barely a slit for visibility — can shrug off some drone attacks, but at a price. The reduced visibility and added tonnage mean these tanks often crawl at walking speed and are easy targets for artillery or anti-tank missiles. Ukrainian soldiers joke that they're 'mobile bunkers without the mobility.' Yet, even with these drawbacks, the turtle tank concept reflects a grim truth: neither side can afford to ignore drone threats anymore. Effectiveness — and limits — of DIY armor Cage armor works best against single-strike drones with unmodified warheads. Against larger munitions, tandem charges, or multiple simultaneous hits, protection drops sharply. A Ukrainian Bradley commander admitted that while his cage armor had saved his vehicle twice from FPV drones, the third hit from a modified anti-tank grenade still penetrated. There's also the human factor. Cages can obstruct turret rotation, block optics, and slow crew evacuation. Some soldiers privately admit they feel 'safer but slower' — a trade-off that could be deadly if ambushed. The next phase: integration into official design What started as a DIY fix is moving into formal military doctrine. Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has quietly commissioned design guidelines for anti-drone protection, while Western suppliers are exploring modular cage kits for Abrams, Leopard 2, and Bradley platforms. If this war continues into 2026, I wouldn't be surprised to see NATO exercises featuring tanks pre-fitted with factory-standard anti-drone cages. What this means for modern warfare The spread of cage armor in Ukraine is more than a tactical adaptation — it's a glimpse into the future of mechanized warfare. It signals that top-down aerial threats are now a permanent feature of the battlefield, one that even the most advanced militaries must account for. The next generation of armored vehicles will likely be designed with integrated anti-drone systems, combining passive cages, active electronic jammers, and automated counter-drones. For now, though, the steel grids and welded spikes rolling across the Donbas are a reminder that in war, innovation is rarely pretty — but often necessary. FAQs: Q1. What is Ukraine's DIY cage armor and why is it used? It's a steel framework added to vehicles to stop explosive drones from hitting them directly. Q2. How effective is Ukraine's DIY cage armor? It can stop or deflect some drone strikes but isn't foolproof against heavy or repeated hits.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ET Make in India SME Regional Summit to debut in Nagpur, the ‘Orange City', on July 24
The ET Make in India SME Regional Summit will be held for the first time in Nagpur on July 24, 2025. The city's central location positions it as an ideal hub for MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), especially for those engaged in manufacturing, services, and agriculture-based industries. Nagpur, also known as the Orange City, has seen the development of various clusters, such as the Nagpur Dall Millers Cluster Pvt Ltd, which comprises 100 small-sized enterprises working together to promote growth, quality, and food security. The city also boasts industrial parks and dedicated MSME clusters, showcasing a well-developed industrial infrastructure that fosters a conducive environment for the growth of MSMEs. Register here for Nagpur summit by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hate Unclear Trade Tips? You're Not Alone Teji Mandi Buy Now Undo As per the open data government platform, the number of Udyam-registered MSMEs in Nagpur district is 268,599, with 264,548 micro, 3,708 small, and 343 medium enterprises. The ET Make in India SME Regional Summit in Nagpur will begin with a keynote address on the topic 'Opportunities in Orange City: Vision for MSME-led growth in Nagpur and beyond.' This will be delivered by Shivkumar Muddamwar, GM DIC, Nagpur. Live Events There will be a special address by Manohar Pote, Regional Head-Nagpur region, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). This will be followed by an exclusive fireside chat with Nagaraj Garla, Executive Director, IDBI Bank , on the topic 'Catalysing 'Make in India' Growth: IDBI Bank 's Strategic Imperatives for Empowering MSMEs.' Following this, experts and industry leaders will come together for an engaging panel discussion titled 'Unlocking Vidarbha's potential: Building a stronger MSME ecosystem in central India.' Present at the panel will be Prashant Mohta, Managing Director, Gimatex Industries (Textiles) & President, Vidarbha Industries Association; Julfesh Shah, Chairman, Chamber of Small Industry Associations (COSIA), Vidarbha chapter; and Prashant Waghmere, Deputy General Manager (DGM) and Regional Head, at Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The SME summit will also serve as a platform providing networking opportunities to local small businesses and industry leaders. They can engage, connect, and have an open dialogue. This endeavour will be conducted under the theme of 'Empowering MSMEs: Driving India's Century of Sustainable Growth,' to champion, acknowledge, and fortify the Indian MSME sector. It will be conducted by with IDBI Bank as the Banking & Lending Partner and Canon as the Tech Enabler. Each summit will comprise a diverse array of discussions and sessions, including panel discussions, masterclasses, and showcases of MSME solutions. This is the third annual edition of the ET Make in India Regional Summit series. In this edition, 20 cities will be covered, including Thane, Nagpur, Dehradun, and Noida. In the inaugural year, the programme covered Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad. The ET MSME Awards, India's most coveted awards programme celebrating the achievements of the MSME sector, is back with its sixth edition. Register here to be recognised as India's top MSME. Register here for Nagpur summit
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rupee holds near 86.75 against USD as investor focus shifts to rising crude prices
The rupee and attendant hedging costs to minimize the impact of its volatility have hitherto shown little susceptibility to the Middle East conflict, with investors focused on the potential retaliation by Iran to predict the pricing direction for crude oil. The rupee weakened to 86.86 per dollar Monday, before closing at 86.75/$1, about 17 paise weaker. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) likely sold dollars above 86.80/$1 levels, traders said. The rupee traded between 86.66/$1 and 86.86/$1 on Monday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Short-Term Trades Need Real Direction Teji Mandi Buy Now Undo Brent crude oil prices hit a five-month peak of $81.40 per barrel earlier in the day but pared gains to be last quoted at $77.4 per barrel, according to Reuters. A rise in crude oil prices is detrimental for inflation in India as the country is a large importer of the commodity. 'The Rupee fell to 86.86/$1 due to higher oil prices in the morning. Oil prices cooled a bit, rupee also strengthened, which gave importers an opportunity to buy dollars for their near term imports. However, strong dollar demand from oil companies put pressure on the currency and the rupee could not appreciate past 86.66/$1,' said Anil Bhansali, head of treasury at Finrex Treasury Advisors. Traders are expecting the rupee to be in the range of 86.50/$1 to 86.90/$1 on Tuesday, assuming that oil prices do not rise substantially. Live Events 'With every $10 per barrel increase in oil prices increasing India's current account deficit by 0.4% of GDP… India's current account deficit will likely rise above 2% of GDP if oil prices were to spike,' MUFG Bank said in a note on June 23. India's current account deficit was at 1.1% of GDP during the October-December 2024 quarter, the latest data shows.
