Russia Debuts Tanks, Putin Claims To Have ‘Most Powerful Tank In The World’
Russia debuted its tanks and showcased the nation’s enhanced military might to the world. Vladimir Putin‘s country is expected to publicly unveil “several high-tech combat vehicles” during the country’s World War II Victory Day celebrations scheduled on May 9.
The Russian tanks and other weapons will reportedly be the highlight of the annual celebration to honor the victory of the former Soviet Union of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany in 1945.
Although Russian officials have reportedly been rather quiet abut the World War II Victory Day celebration details, a parade rehearsal in Moscow revealed some of the new Russian tanks for the very first time. An Armata T-14 battle tank has become the “most talked” military vehicle shown at the parade rehearsal.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Vladimir Putin claims his nation will boast “military superiority” over the West until at least 2020. The Russian leader is allegedly moving moving forward with plans to enhance Russia’s nuclear arsenal despite recession prompted by decreasing oil prices and sanctions levied by the United States.
Valery Gerasimov, a top Russian military general, recently said that Vladimir Putin’s army will receive more than 50 new nuclear missiles with intercontinental capabilities in 2014. A multi-billion military modernization plan is also reportedly underway in Moscow.
“Support for our strategic nuclear forces to ensure their high military capability combined with growth of the military potential of the general forces will assure that [the United States and NATO] do not gain military superiority over our country,” General Gerasimov said. “Western countries are actively using new forms of aggression, combining military as well as non-military means. Political, economic and information methods are also being used.”
The Armata T-14 tank is the “most powerful tank” in the world, Russian media reports quoting military leaders’ claim. The Russian tank features an unmanned turret and a 125-mm cannon that can fire both shells and guided missiles. The Armata T-14 tank can hold two soldiers inside a shatterproof chamber. The Russian tank also reportedly has shooting range of more than 2.17 miles, American and German tanks reportedly have a range between 1.86 miles and 2.17 miles.
The Kurganets-25 Russian infantry fighting vehicle comes in both BTR and BMP variations – both are armored personnel carriers. The Kurganets-25 is reportedly armed with a 30-mm cannon that has a range of up to 2.5 miles, a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun, and 4 Kornet-EM anti-tank guided missile launchers with a maximum range of up to 6.2 miles.
The Bumerang 8X8 is a newly designed infantry fighting vehicle that comes with a rear door and rooftop hatches to help a three-person crew exit quickly.
The 2S35 Koalitsija-SV is a new self-propelled artillery system with a 152-mm cannon. The Russian tank weighs about 55 tons and is designed to destroy an enemy’s armor and defense. The 2S35 Koalitsija-SV can reportedly hit targets 43 miles away.
What do you think about the Russian tanks’ debut?
[Image via: Spencer Platt/Getty Images]
