Deadly Russian tank T-14 "Armata" is already in production

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Although Moscow has shown the first experimental model of the new "Armata" combat vehicles back in 2015 Victory Parade, most Western analysts believe that this series is under development. However, according to a report from the head of a high-ranking Russian military-industrial complex, car family "Armata" has already put into mass production.

Asked by Wall Street Journal about whether the Kremlin will suspend the project core "Armata" battle tank in connection with the reduction of military spending because of declining oil revenues, the head of the state corporation "Rostec" Sergei Chemezov said that will only be stopped by new developments. "He's already in series production", - said Chemezov, when asked specifically about the "Armata".

According to Chemezov, the Kremlin decided that projects that are at an advanced stage of development, will be continued. "We can not retreat when he was half way - said Chemezov told the newspaper. - The money has already been invested, and if we stop before completing the work, it will be money lost. Everything that has already begun, will be completed, and the money will be allocated to it. "

The universal combat platform "Armata" includes in its membership the main battle tank T-14, BMP heavy T-15 Armoured Recovery Vehicle T-16, and many other means of fighting. The family of "Armata" also includes a heavy armored vehicle assault increased firepower, which Russian media called "tank destroyer". T-14 is equipped with a new caliber gun 2A82-1M 125 millimeters, which is set in the desert tower has serious firepower. In the "tank destroyer" it seems to be used a modified 152-mm cannon "Coalition-SV", installed on the chassis of "Almaty was" and designed for direct fire.

Meanwhile, Russian television, which showed the foundation of battle tank T-14 of the family "Armata", talked about the fact that he has bronekapsuly crew of three people, equipped with touch screens. The interface is simple and intuitive, if you look at the video. It seems that the Russian military have developed a network linking the tanks T-14 and T-90, which can send each other instant messages, video and fotoizbrazheniya. The tank is also equipped with a global positioning system GLONASS and NAVSTAR.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of "Almaty was" - a complex of active protection (KAZ) "Afghani". This system uses radar-round view with an active electronically scanned bars, as well as a powerful electronic warfare system, breaking the enemy's shells flying up guidance. The machine also has a locking system means laser-guided. In addition, the tank is equipped with mortars with shells KAZ penetrating type. This means that the complex of active protection "Almaty was" can be very effective even against armor-piercing shells.

KAZ is most effective when used against chemical energy ammunition such as missiles and rockets.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies in its Military Balance 2016 report marks another important characteristic:

"The revolutionary moment - it's uninhabited tower tank T-14 on the basis of" Almaty was. " All platforms of particular importance is attached to protection, including a complex of active protection. It talks about lessons learned and points to the Russian representation of future conditions of warfare ... ".

"When the" Armata "will go into service, it will be the first tank with an uninhabited tower and the active protection system. If KAZ be successfully used in the new machines will decrease the effectiveness of ATGM and rocket-propelled grenade. This will make your changes in the dynamics of the battlefield, raising the importance of guns, anti-tank guns and tanks. "

But the best way to survive on the battlefield - so give yourself invisible, and Russian have taken several steps to reduce the telltale signs of thermal and radar signature to the tanks was more difficult to detect and monitor them.

If the "Armata" will still be found, and the shell flies overcome protection KAZ, the tank is a system built-in dynamic protection "Malachite" and powerful passive armor. The composition of this armor is unknown but probably is a kind of layered ceramic matrix composite material. The tank also has armor plates to protect certain areas which would otherwise be vulnerable to RPGs.

"Armata" a matter of serious concern to Western armies. In direct response to the development of the T-14, Germany has recently begun work on increasing the firepower of "Leopard-2", which plans to equip its 130-millimeter cannon. It also plans to begin development of a new main battle tank, which was named "The main ground combat system» (MGCS).

Dave Majumdar - National Interest editor of Military Affairs.