T-14 Armata

T-14 Armata

The Russian Army initially planned to purchase 2,300 T-14s between 2015 and 2020. By 2018, production and financial shortfalls delayed this to 2025, before Russia announced the apparent cancellation of major production. It was operated on July 30, 2018. However, as of 2021, Russian state-owned TASS media agency claimed that the Armata is expected to begin mass production in 2022, with a test batch of 100 units expected to be delivered to 2nd Guard Tamanskaya Motor. The Rifle Division is expected to start in 2022. It is planned to officially transfer the tanks only after the completion of all state tests. In December 2021, Russian state holding Rostec announced the start of mass production, with "more than 40" Armata tanks expected to be delivered to Russian troops after 2023. On 4 March 2024, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov announced that the T-14 Armata had entered service with the Russian Armed Forces. However, Chemezov also stated that it would not replace the T-90 currently in service due to cost concerns.

Past

Following the cancellation of the T-95 in 2010, Uralvagonzavod began OKR Armata (Armament) design work. The work resulted in the Object 148, which was based on the T-95 (itself based on the Object 187). The Russian Army reduced orders for T-90s starting in 2012 in preparation for the arrival of the new tank.

The T-14 first appeared publicly in March 2015, when several tanks with covered turrets were seen loaded on a train carriage in Alabino. It was later revealed during the Moscow Victory Day Parade on 9 May 2015. During rehearsals in 2015, one of the tanks stopped suddenly and moved away under its own power after about 15 minutes after towing attempts failed.

The T-14 Armata was identified as a major concern for Western armies as early as 2016, and British intelligence considers the unmanned turret to offer many advantages. However, at the time, Western observers questioned Russia's ability to produce modern tanks such as the T-90 and T-14 in significant numbers.

In response to the Armata, the German company Rheinmetall developed a new 130 mm L/51 tank gun, which claimed to provide a 50 percent increase in armor penetration compared to the 120 mm L/55 used in the Bundeswehr. Germany and France have joined forces to develop an unspecified "Main Ground Combat System" (MGCS) that could compete with Armata's technological advances and replace both the Leclerc and Leopard 2 MBTs around 2030, but not until June 2018. Deployment of vehicles and systems is planned for 2035, with full operational capability planned to be achieved by 2040.