T-14 Armata

The T-14 Armata is a Russian fourth-generation main battle tank developed by the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Machine-Building (Uralvagonzavod). Development began following the 2010 cancellation of the T-95 project under the OKR Armata design study, resulting in the Object 148. The vehicle first appeared publicly in early 2015 and was officially revealed during the Moscow Victory Day Parade in May of that year. State trials commenced in early 2020. In March 2024, the state conglomerate Rostec announced that the vehicle had officially entered service with the Russian Armed Forces.

The tank is based on the Armata Universal Combat Platform and features an unmanned turret. The three-man crew is positioned in an internal armored capsule at the front of the hull, isolated from the ammunition and engine. Main armament consists of a 2A82-1M 125 mm smoothbore cannon utilizing an autoloader. This gun is capable of firing Vacuum-1 armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds, Teknik high-explosive fragmentation shells, and guided anti-tank missiles such as the 9M119M1 Invar-M and 3UBK21 Sprinter. Secondary armament includes a 12.7 mm Kord machine gun and a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun, both mounted in remote weapon stations.

Protection is provided by 44S-sv-Sh steel, composite materials with ceramic layers, and integrated Malachit dual-explosive reactive armor (ERA). The vehicle integrates the Afganit active protection system (APS), which employs millimeter-wave radar to detect, track, and intercept incoming munitions via hard-kill and soft-kill measures. Stealth features include radar-absorbing paint and a turret geometry designed to reduce radar and thermal signatures. Situational awareness is maintained through multispectral sights for the commander and gunner, alongside a 360-degree closed-circuit television camera system.

Power is supplied by a 12N360 twin-turbo diesel engine coupled with a 12-speed automatic transmission. The chassis utilizes a hydropneumatic active suspension system with seven road wheels per side.

The T-14 is operated by the Russian Army and has been produced in limited numbers. The vehicle underwent testing in combat conditions in the Syrian Arab Republic in 2020. During the invasion of Ukraine, reports indicated the tank was utilized in indirect fire roles and for performance assessment in frontline areas by the southern battlegroup before being withdrawn. In 2024, defense officials stated the vehicle was not deployed for direct assault operations due to high unit costs. Russia has offered the T-14 for export, including proposals for technology transfer and local production in India.