Relikt and similar ERAs with big heavy flyer plates do have anti KE penetrators abilities. Look at pictures of Ukrainian tests of their homegrown ERA against french rounds.
The main issue is with how Gaijin models this kind of ERA. The APFSDS needs to strike at an angle where it would get disturbed / even cut in half by the flyer plates. If the dart comes in contact with the ERA at a perpendicular angle, it should do nothing against it.
And exactly this isn’t modeled. They treat it essentially as if it is just a piece of metal.
wester tanks usually don’t have heavy anti-KE ERA because the doctrine is different. Western ERA is mainly designed to take out threats like RPGs and ATGMs. Main reason being as these heavy ERAs like Contakt-5 are extremely violent and can act as a sort of grenade which can maim and even kill friendly infantry which is in close proximity to the tank.
You assert Challenger 2 TES and OES have lighter ERA than Contakt-5? yet Contakt-5 is more efficent?
It’s basically a stack of cutting charges using the same principals as a shaped charge and copper jet but shaped into a “V” blade instead of a cone spike.
There can’t be that much difference in the explosives and metals used, it’s not top secret physics.
OK upon further research: The AI says Often mistaken for ERA; confirmed to be non‑explosive composite.
OK so why do they explode when hit like ERA? fishy design and misleading.