RIA Novosti on April 25 quoted an informed source revealing that the T-14 Armata tank had been equipped with many advanced technologies before appearing on the front line in Ukraine.
Weighing 55 tons, the T-14 Armata tank is equipped with additional side protection and features a remote-controlled turret mounted with a 125 mm 2A82-M1 smoothbore gun.
"The three-man crew sits in a solidly armored compartment, completely separated from the ammunition compartment and the turret, which increases their survivability when the T-14 Armata tank is attacked by the enemy," the source revealed.
Western experts also consider the T-14 Armata's turret to be a pioneering innovation in tank development, overcoming the weakness of the turret being easily blown off on previous Russian tank models.
The T-14 Armata tank has a maximum speed of 80 km/h. It was first introduced at the Victory Day parade on May 9, 2015 on Red Square in Moscow.
A Russian T-14 Armata tank in Red Square in Moscow in 2015. File photo: EPA-EFE
Currently, the T-14 Armata tank has not been mass-produced by the Russian army and has not yet participated in direct combat.
"The Russian army has started using T-14 Armata tanks to fire artillery at Ukrainian defensive positions, but they have not yet participated in direct attacks," the source revealed. "T-14 Armata crews have been participating in joint combat training at a training ground in the Donbass region since the end of last year."
In January, the UK Ministry of Defense Intelligence said that Russia may deploy T-14 Armata tanks in Ukraine for the primary purpose of “image promotion.” The agency also said that “any deployment of T-14 Armata tanks in Ukraine would be a high-risk decision.”
Russian media said the Kremlin had ordered the production of 2,300 T-14 Armata tanks by 2020 but the plan had to be extended until 2025.
Interfax news agency reported in December 2021 that state corporation Rostec had begun production of about 40 tanks, with deliveries expected after 2023.
T-14 Armata tanks during a rehearsal at Russia's Alabino training ground in April 2018. Photo: RIA Novosti
In contrast to Russia's modern tanks, Ukraine still uses outdated Soviet-era tanks. The Ukrainian government has called on the West to provide them with modern battle tanks to "reclaim their territory".
The US in January pledged to provide 31 Abrams tanks, while Germany pledged to provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
Similarly, other NATO countries also pledged to send 48 Leopard 2 tanks to the administration of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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