In the late 1960s and 1970s, the USSR began developing active protection systems in response to the growing effectiveness of high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) munitions and anti-tank guided missiles. This eventually resulted in the development of the "Drozd," the world's first mass-produced active protection system (APS), which was designed to detect and intercept anti-tank grenades and missiles before they could hit the armor. The next stage was the "Arena" system, which was adopted in 1993. In this system, radar sensors were combined into a cylindrical module on the turret roof, and launchers were placed around the tank's perimeter to protect designated sectors. The modernized "Arena-M" version replaced the bulky sensor block with distributed sensors and equipped the countermeasures with propulsion units. This made it possible to group the launchers and increase the flexibility of target interception.

At the 2013 Russia Arms Expo (RAE 2013) in Nizhny Tagil, a T-72B3 tank equipped with the "Arena-E" APS (the export designation of "Arena-M") was demonstrated. While the exhibited vehicle was not a production model, it clearly demonstrated the direction in which Russian survivability enhancement systems for armored vehicles are developing and the potential for further modernization of the T-72 family of tanks.

The T-72B3 "Arena" was introduced as a reward for the "Paintball Arena" event. Compared to the standard T-72B3A, the tank has the "Arena-E" APS with a reduced number of countermeasures and lacks "Relikt" explosive reactive armor on the sides. It also has a less powerful engine. Its drawbacks include low reverse speed and insufficient gun depression angles. Nevertheless, the tank retains its advantages: a powerful 125-mm gun and fairly good armor.