Russia debuted its new Armata T-14 tank on Monday, as the armored vehicles rumbled through the streets of Moscow on their way to a rehearsal for this weekend’s Victory Day parade.
Monday marked the first time that the Armata T-14 tank has been publicly revealed in full, according to U.S. News and World Report . While the Russian Defense Ministry released images of the tank last month, the vehicle’s turret was shrouded, leaving little more than its platform visible.
#Armata main battle tank leading the way in cutting edge military technology… #Russia pic.twitter.com/5ZfwpqPJmp
— The Daily Agenda (@Dissident_News) May 5, 2015
Set to be the centerpiece of Saturday’s military parade, the Armata will reportedly sport a list of technological advancements that will make it superior to current Western tanks. Piloted by a three man crew, the Armata is the first tank to feature an interior armored capsule to protect its occupants, separate from its remotely controlled turret. The weapons systems are loaded automatically, further enhancing both efficiency and the level of protection offered to the tank’s crew.
Russia’s new main battle tank, the Armata T-14, appeared during a practice for a parade. http://t.co/MzqZkx7qtm pic.twitter.com/ZQ9AiT9R53
— CNN (@CNN) May 5, 2015
Though it represents a pioneering weapons system, the Armata’s designers hardly envision the platform being limited to the T-14 tank, as the Sydney Morning Herald reports. They hope to one day see the Armata platform expand to include a heavy armored infantry vehicle, a self-propelled howitzer, and a combat support vehicle. While technical support and maintenance would be cut and production would be streamlined under such a plan, it is unclear whether Russia’s weapons industry will be able to meet production goals for the new tank, which are ambitious.
Russia’s military is currently in the midst of an aggressive modernization plan that would see it acquire 2,300 Armata tanks by 2020. It is unknown whether those plans can be sustained amid Western sanctions and a slump in oil prices, however. Reports also surfaced last month that Russia plans to purchase a fleet of 80 large scale transport planes as part of its military modernization, as the Inquisitr previously reported.
Modernized Military: Russia shows off hardware before V-day (PHOTOS) http://t.co/pNboswLQnC pic.twitter.com/m9I5uPp7Oe
— RT (@RT_com) May 5, 2015
The Armata is set to enter active service next year, according to Oleg Bochkaryov, a deputy head of Russia’s Military Industrial Commission. The Armata T-14 tank will also not be sold abroad for a period of five years following its official introduction into the Russian military.
[Image via Twitter ]
