russian t14 main battle tank?trackid=sp-006

Preliminary tests on the T-14 began in 2019, and in April 2021, Russia's industry minister said they had been tested in 'field conditions' in Syria. The T-14 Armata was revealed for the first time in 2015 during the Red Square's Victory Day Parade. In an updated intelligence post on Wednesday, the MOD referenced these reports, but suggested Russian forces 'were reluctant to accept the first tranche of T-14 allocated to them because the vehicles were in such poor condition.'Īlthough unable to go into detail on the precise reasons behind the unwillingness to utilize the new main battle tanks, the MOD pointed to concerns over the engines of the T-14s Armatas, as well as their thermal imaging systems. If any of the relatively few available tanks were deployed, it would likely be most useful for 'propaganda,' the MOD argued, saying that Russian commanders 'are unlikely to trust the vehicle.'

NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty ImagesĪ program 11 years in the making, the development of the T-14 Armata was 'dogged with delays, reduction in planned fleet size, and reports of manufacturing problems.' A bigger and bulkier tank than others in Russia's possession, the T-14 Armata also poses logistical challenges.

Russian soldiers are reluctant to accept the first tranche of T-14 Armatas in Ukraine because of their 'poor condition,' according to the British Defense Ministry. Above, a T-14 Armata tank rides through Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2017.

Russian t14 main battle tank?trackid=sp-006