The T-14 was dispatched to Ukraine temporarily in 2023, likely for propaganda purposes rather than real combat experience.
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine rages on, tank losses on both sides continue to amass. From World War II-era relics and Soviet-designed models to more modern successors, the main battle tank (MBT) has taken major hits throughout the last three-plus years of fighting. In fact, open-source intelligence trackers estimate that Moscow alone has conservatively lost at least 4,000 MBTs, although the accurate figure is likely much higher. Russian forces have been forced to turn to their storage of decades-old tank models to replenish their rapidly diminishing fleet on the frontlines. Despite these losses, however, it is noteworthy that the nation’s newest MBT platform has not played a role in its offensive efforts. The T-14 “Armata” is touted by the Kremlin as top-tier and unparalleled in capability, yet its absence in the war has caused many to wonder if these statements are in fact reality.
The T-14 was dispatched to Ukraine temporarily in 2023, likely for propaganda purposes rather than real combat experience. As one of the only fourth-generation MBTs in service across the globe, the Armata should certainly be serving as Moscow’s primary tank in the force. According to a UK assessment, the tank may not be as stellar as the Kremlin would like to purport. “Any T-14 deployment is likely to be a high-risk decision for Russia,” said the UK’s Defense Ministry. “Eleven years in development, the program has been dogged with delays, reduction in planned fleet size, and reports of manufacturing problems.” Russian officials have tried to paint the Armata’s absence in the war as a consequence of its value. Last year, the CEO of Russia’s state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec claimed that the T-14’s role in Ukraine has been limited since it is “too valuable.” Sergey Chemezov added that the latest Russian MBT is the most “revolutionary tank in a decade.”
What We Know About Russia’s T-14 Armata
Designed by the Russian Defense manufacturer Uralvagonzavod, the Armata was officially launched back in 2013. The tank made its first public appearance two years later during the 2015 Moscow Victory Day Parade. In 2016, Russia’s Defense Ministry revealed that it had greenlit a contract to procure a “test batch” of 100 T-14s to be delivered by 2020. According to analysts, the Armata features an unmanned, remotely-operated turret design which can carry up to three crew members. Russian state-run media outlets claim that Russia’s newest tank can be fitted with the 152mm-caliber gun, which is notably larger than the 120mm main gun fitted on the American-made M1 Abrams MBT platform. The Armata is reportedly well-protected to prioritize survivability. As detailed by Military Watch Magazine, “The tank’s frontal base armour protection of over 900mm, paired with Malachit explosive reactive armour and the AFGHANIT active protection system, provides an extreme degree of survivability,” which combined marks a huge improvement when compared to preceding tank models.
No matter how formidable the T-14 really is, the platform will be difficult to accurately gauge until it is deployed in combat.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
