Russia has announced that it has finalised manufacture of the first batch of Armata tanks and heavy personnel carriers.
The platform’s chief tank (T-14) sports an unmanned remotely-controlled turret, armed with a brand new 125 mm 2A82-1M smoothbore cannon. According to Russian media, the Armata tank might also come with a specially-developed 152mm gun, the most powerful-ever cannon to be mounted on a main battle tank.
The tank’s turret will also carry a 30mm sub-calibre ranging gun to deal with various targets, such as attack planes and helicopters.
A 12.5mm turret-mounted heavy machine gun is reportedly capable of taking out incoming projectiles, such as anti-tank missiles. It’s capable of neutralising shells approaching at speeds of up to 3,000 metres per second.
The vehicle is fully computerised and only needs two servicemen who are securely enclosed in a multi-layer armoured capsule to operate it.
The reduction in the British Army’s order of battle to three regular Challenger 2 regiments, 360 tanks including reserves, seems reckless.
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