Nakidka is a Russianradar-absorbent material (RAM) camouflage that "eliminates the use ofprecision-guided weapons".^[1] Nakidka reduces theinfrared,thermal, andradar band signatures of an object. It can be mounted onarmored fighting vehicles,^[1]field fortifications,command posts, permanent air and vehicle sheds, andammunition and fuel depots byinfantry with no special equipment.^[2]

According toNII Stali (Scientific Research Institute of Steel), which designed Nakidka, it reduces the chances of detection by day/night viewers andTV systems and seekers by thirty percent,infrared seekers by two- to three-fold, radar by six-fold, and reduces the thermal-radar signature to near-background levels.^[1] Nakidka is efficient in the optical, IR and radar wavelength bands up to 12 cm (4.7 in), and also reduces theradar cross section by 10db.^[1]

Nakidka weighs 2 kilograms per square metre (0.41 lb/sq ft)^[1] and can be deployed in 0.4–1.0 man hours per square meter. It is also capable of withstanding combat conditions, such as takingsmall arms fire or anapalm attack. It is said to have a long maintenance-free service life.^[2]

In 2006, during theRussian Expo Arms and International Defense Exhibition of Land Forces, aT-72BM "Rogatka" (an upgradedT-72B) fitted with Nakidka was demonstrated. A T-72B and aT-90S fitted with a signature reduction package based on Nakidka were also featured. Since then, that "signature reduction package" has become a standard component of the T-72B.^[1]

To reduce its visibility, the new2S19M2 artillery self-propelled howitzer uses a set of camouflage system to reduce the thermal heat of the vehicle and increase protection against radar, thermal and optical detection by more than 1.5 times, thereby reducing the effectiveness of high-precision weapons.^[3]

Because the addition ofcage armor would normally negate the camouflage properties of Nakidka, NII Stali offers special rubber side screens which would fit over cage armor and reduce the vehicle's visibility further.^[1]

Nakidka entered serial production in June 2023.^[4]

On September 18, 2022, inKharkiv Oblast,Ukraine, a T-90M equipped with Nakidka was captured by Ukrainian forces.^[5] In early 2023 a Russian T-90M was supposedly targeted by a Javelin which engaged and disabled the tank normally, despite being fully equipped with Nakidka.^[6]

• Armoured fighting vehicle equipment
• Weapons countermeasures
• Military equipment introduced in the 2010s

• CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list