The Russians and/or Chinese seem to have come up with a defence
for armoured vehicles against ATGM, they use laser to 'dazzle' the
guidance unit of the missile.
The turret-mounted system carried by the Type 98 is very similar
to a tripod-mounted laser weapon that was seen for the first time
at an arms exhibition in Manila in 1995. Identified at the
exhibition as the "Laser Interference Device," it matched the
description of a known Chinese laser weapon called the ZM-87.
According to its promotional information, one of the ZM-87's major
uses is to "injure or dizzy targeted individuals." The ZM-87 can
reportedly injure the human eye at 2-3 kms, this rising to over 5
kms using a 7-power magnification device. Additionally, short-term
"flaring blind-ness" can be inflicted on the human eye at up to 10
kms. The ZM-87 and the laser weapon carried by the Type 98 should
not be confused with electro-optical "dazzlers" like those
turret-mounted de-vices used by the Iraqis during Operation Desert
Storm. Those Iraqi devices (some of which are believed to
have been supplied by the Chinese), are designed to confuse the
tracking systems of Western/NATO anti-tank guided missiles
(ATGMs), without directly attacking the controlling optics
or the eyesight of the weapon's gunner. The available photos of the
Type 96 have also confirmed that the laser weapon can be elevated
to a higher angle than the tank's main gun, indicating that the
engagement of attack helicopters is possible.
Source: http://www.china-defense.com/armor/type98/type98_3.html
