The Russian Defence Ministry has just released a video recording of a recent tank drill that shows, for the first time ever, the capabilities of the T-14 Armata. Russia’s newest tank is shown in the footage skilfully negotiating hillocks and trenches.
The video was recorded at a private demonstration during the Army 2016 military and technology forum, held in the Moscow Region between September 6 and 11.
The clip also includes footage of tank “battles” that took place nine years ago, during the Vostok-2007 strategic exercises.
The Т-14 tank, built on the ‘Armata’ platform, debuted at the Victory Day parade in Moscow’s Red Square on May 9, 2015.
The first batch of 100 ‘Armata’ tanks will enter into service with Russia’s ground troops in 2017-2018, said Vyacheslav Khalitov, deputy head of the Uralvagonzavod research and production corporation, the tank’s manufacturer, to the Ekho Moskvy radio station.
The published price of a Т-14 Armata tank is around 250 million rubles ($3.8 million). The basic model has a 125-mm gun. According to the tank’s designers and manufacturers, the Armata can be upgraded to accommodate a 152-mm gun. The Т-14 is capable of firing 10 shots a minute at an effective range of up to 4.5 miles.
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