No Orders for Armata-T-14 Tanks from Russian MoD

Despite a dire need for tanks in the war against Ukraine, the Russian MoD has not placed orders for its showpiece tank, the T-14 or Armata.

At the Army-2024 Forum, tank manufacturer UralVagonZavod (UVZ) expressed readiness to start production of the T-14s once the Russian government places an order. Currently, the company is only receiving orders for modernized versions of existing tank models.

Production of T-14 Armata tanks has been limited due to technical issues, funding constraints, and prioritization of other military programs. As of 2022, only 20-40 tanks have reportedly been produced, with some sources suggesting an even lower number. Russia initially planned to produce 2,300 tanks by 2025 but scaled back due to challenges.

The T-14 weighs 55 tons, has a three-man crew, and features a 125mm main gun with automatic loading. The latest model has advanced electronic systems, a new fire control system, and a 152-mm smoothbore gun. The robotic T-14 project appears to be put on hold due to the Ukraine conflict and increased T-90M production. No official updates have been provided by the manufacturer or Ministry of Defense, with officials remaining silent on the matter.

Despite media reports claiming deployment in Ukraine, the Kremlin denies this. Sergey Chemezov, head of Rostec, stated the T-14 is too expensive for Ukraine and the T-90 is a more efficient option.

Instead, the production of existing tanks such as the T-72, T-80 and T-90 has grown four to six-folds since February 2022, tank manufacturer UralVagonZavod (UVZ) confirmed to Defense Mirror during the Army 2024 arms fair earlier this week. This surge in production comes as Russia continues to face challenges in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Notably, the company is also undertaking the repair and upgrade of most tanks damaged in the war, with the work being carried out directly in Ukraine. This move highlights Russia's commitment to maintaining its military presence in the region.

Adapting tanks to the Ukrainian conflict

At the Army-2024 Forum, UVZ officials disclosed to Defensemirror.com that lessons learned from the Special Military Operation (Russianspeak for the war with Ukraine) in Ukraine are being applied to enhance newly manufactured Russian tanks with anti-slip coating, improving their traction and stability in varied terrain conditions. Additionally, the company is downsizing the auxiliary weapons, known as 'rifles', adjacent to the commander's cupola, yielding a threefold benefit: reduced visibility, enhanced protection, and simplified operation and handling.