Yury Laskin
Russia’s latest T-14 Armata Main Battle Tank has been tested during anti-terrorist operations in Syria, according to Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, who made the announcement during an interview on Russian State TV.
He said that such tests in combat were intended to consider: “all the nuances to be implemented within the [Armata’s] final version” and that the tank had been constantly passing various tests which have resulted in design modification. Russian media have reported that a contract for 132 tanks was signed last year and is expected to be fulfilled through 2021 and Manturov claimed several foreign states have made requests to purchase the tank, but these can only be considered after the Russian Army starts receiving the vehicles as they require a special passport for overseas sale.
New generation
Russia claims that the T-14 is the world’s only third generation tank as it reportedly features an unmanned turret with the crew housed in an armoured capsule to maximise survivability, even in the event of a direct hit on the turret. While the tank also uses special coating to significantly reduce machine reflections in the thermal and radar spectra of observation, it is claimed that its armour is able to withstand any existing anti-tank weapon. It is armed with a 2A82-1M 125mm smoothbore gun to fire guided and unguided projectiles and can store 40 rounds, with 32 in the automatic loader, in addition to a 7.62mm PKTM machine gun in a remotely controlled installation with 2000 rounds. The vehicle is powered by an X-shaped turbocharged 2V-12-3A multi-fuel 1500 HP diesel with so-called “robotic” mechanical transmission to simplify the driver’s operation.
T-14 Armata Main Characteristics
Crew: 3
Combat weight: 48t
Weight with urban warfare kit: 53t
Length with gun forward: 10.8m
Width: 3.5m
Height: 3.3m
Maximum road speed: 80km/h
Average speed over rough terrain: 45-50km/h
Cruising range (without external tanks): 500km