Russia's T‑14 Armata Tank: A Groundbreaking Design Hindered by Cost and Capability Issues

Chemezov, in a discussion with RIA Novosti, a Russian news service, conceded that the T-14 Armata tank is “generally expensive.” He elaborated, saying: “In terms of functionality, it certainly surpasses existing tanks, but its high cost precludes its current use by the army. They find it more economical to purchase the T-90s instead.”

According to the head of Rostec, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation shares this lack of interest in the T-14 Armata, primarily due to budgetary constraints. “Right now, the focus is on funding the production of new, potentially more affordable, tanks and weapons. So, if there’s an option to acquire something less costly, why not pursue it,” he explained.

A similar stance was earlier voiced by former President Dmitry Medvedev. He pointed out the T-14’s absence from the conflict in Ukraine, succinctly stating: “Parades are one thing, and war is another. They are vastly different scenarios.” Medvedev, like Chemezov, also highlighted the economic concerns tied to the tank's production, describing the T-14 as a less cost-effective choice among Russian armored vehicles.

The Kremlin disclosed its intentions to build the T-14 Armata back in 2011. The prototype was unveiled at military exhibitions in 2013, and in 2015, an official presentation showcased the tank. Russia had ambitious plans to manufacture over 2,000 units by 2020, boasting that the T-14 would outperform the T-90—often celebrated as “Putin’s pride”—in firepower. Yet, a decade later, such aspirations remained unfulfilled, with barely 20 units produced by 2022.

The financial woes and technical malfunctions plaguing the tanks have played a significant role in this predicament. Among the issues are problems with the engine and thermal imaging systems. Initially designed by the Uralvagonzavod company to succeed the discontinued T-95 tank, the T-14's promising specifications have, regrettably, led to financial missteps for Russia. Instead of gaining renown on the battlefield, the tank has become infamous for malfunctioning during parade preparations.

The T-14 stands out with its approximately 55-ton weight, dimensions of 35.43 feet in length, 11.48 feet in width, and a height of 10.83 feet. It features an innovative unmanned turret in a serially produced modern main battle tank for the first time. This design change, as reported by Norbert Garbarek, a WP Tech journalist, aims to remedy a critical weakness in Russian tanks—detachment of the turret upon armor breach and subsequent ammunition explosion. The T-14 is reported to reach speeds up to 56 mph, cover around 310 miles on a full tank, and is armed with a 2A82-1M 125 mm smoothbore cannon and 7.62 mm machine guns.