File image.
The Russian military’s Yug Group of Forces had used the advanced T-14 Armata main battle tank in combat, a source in the Russian defense industry told TASS on July 19.
“Members of Yug [group] actively used Armata in combat. Several vehicles participated in combat to see how the tank would perform. After that, they were withdrawn from the frontline,” the source said.
Another source told the Russian news agency that the tank has already entered service with units of the Southern Military District. “The necessary trials of the T-14 tank still continue,” the source added.
The T-14, which was developed by the Uralvagonzavod defense manufacturer, is Russia’s most advanced tank. It was unveiled to the public for the first time at Red Square’s Victory Day Parade on 9 May 2015.
The main feature of the tank is its unmanned turret. The tank’s crew of three is seated in an armored capsule in the front of the hull. This substantially improves the crew’s survivability in combat.
The the 2A82-1M 125 mm smoothbore cannon, the main armament of the T-14, can fire highly-effective Vacuum-1 armor-piercing rounds, controlled-detonation Teknik high explosive shells and anti-tank guided missiles like the the 9M119M1 Invar-M.
The T-14 is powered by a ChTZ 12N360 diesel engine with a displacement of 34.6 liters delivering up to 1,500 hp. The engine’s theoretical maximum power, which is not normally used, is 2,000 hp. The tank has a 12-speed automatic gearbox, with a top speed of 80–90 kilometers per hour.
Another key feature of the Armata tank is the advanced Afganit active protection system, which includes hard and soft kill measures.
The T-14 is also equipped with a day/night capabel targeting system, in addition to an active electronically scanned array radar.
It is believed that at least dozens of T-14 tanks are currently in service with the Russian military. Testing the tanks in the special military operation zone will help further refine the design before mass production. The tank’s capabilities, especially its high survivability, will be also of great help to Russian troops.
