T-14 Armata, Russia’s new super tank: driving it is like ‘playing a computer game’

Originally published on 23 June, 2015

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Russia’s fifth-generation main battle tank is so advanced its designers are telling Western media outlets that operating it is like “playing a computer game.”

The T-14 Armata tank, which features an automated gun turret and a new type of reactive armor, was shown off by Russia during its May 9 Victory Parade in Moscow celebrating the 70th anniversary of the fall of Nazi Germany.

Ilya Demchenko, deputy chief designer, told Sky News: “A new philosophy of these machines is that they have a remote controlled combat module, multi-spectre channels, new algorithms and, if I may draw an example, it's as if the crew, roughly speaking, plays a computer game.

According to reports in Jane’s Defence and RT, the T-14 will be faster than America’s Abrams tank and will enter service next year. The new tank features a 125 mm smooth-bore cannon that fires missiles as well as shells, a remote-controlled machine gun and an advanced armor package along three-quarters of its length. For increased survivability, its three crew will be protected by a multilayer armor capsule that is separate from the ammunition container. This marks a departure from Soviet-era main battle tank designs, where crew safety, or “survivability,” did not appear to be a primary concern. The T-14 will replace Russia’s T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks.

Russia plans for more than 2,300 Armatas to enter service with its military over the next 15 years. The official cost of the new tank has not been disclosed, but observers say it may cost as much as a fighter jet.

The acquisition of 2,300 Armatas is part of a 22 trillion rouble ($400 billion) programme to upgrade Russia’s military that also includes hundreds of new aircraft and missiles and dozens of new navy ships.

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