Russia claims to have used Armata "supertanks" in the war against Ukraine, which it has repeatedly disgraced: what is wrong with the equipment

Russian propagandists boasted that the terrorist state had begun using new T-14 Armata "super tanks" to fire at Ukrainian positions. In this way, they tried to "interrupt" the news that Western countries had supplied Ukraine with Leopard and Abrams tanks.

The Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that the occupiers would start using Armata. It was stated that this equipment has not yet "participated in direct assault operations", but is equipped with additional protection, and the calculations have undergone "combat coordination" at training grounds.

In January, the British military stated that any deployment of the T-14 would likely be a "high-risk decision" for Russia and would be made primarily for propaganda purposes.

In reality, the Russian "supertank" "barks more than it bites". Its development programme has been plagued by delays, a reduction in the planned fleet size and reports of production problems. Moreover, it disgraced itself during its first public appearance during the rehearsal of the 2015 Victory Parade on Red Square - the tank stalled and stood idle throughout the parade.

According to British intelligence, the occupiers themselves perceive the appearance of Armats at the front "without enthusiasm" because the vehicles are "in poor condition".

Military expert Oleh Katkov explained that these tanks used a significant portion of French components when Russia's relations with Europe were better. However, after sanctions were imposed in 2014, such developments stopped. That is why they are stalling and are being driven around the training grounds exclusively as propaganda vehicles, the expert said.

Those imported components that can still be bought have come with another surprise - an ever-increasing price, as the ruble has been steadily rising in recent years. As a result, Uralvagonzavod simply could not name the final cost of mass production of the Armat. The Ministry of Defence's original plan to buy 2,300 new-generation tanks, even at the first price, did not fit within reasonable budgets. And the new price tag has put negotiations on mass purchases on hold for a long time.

Other experts point to problems with the Armata's power plant, transmission and sighting system, and question the effectiveness and viability of the unmanned tower, which is controlled only by electronic and optical means. If it fails, the tank becomes inoperable.

Moreover, the production of the T-14 tank in Russia is a symbol of corruption in the country's Ministry of Defence, headed by Sergei Shoigu. The Armat divisions were supposed to be delivered to the Russian army by 2020, but in 2022, the Russian army entered Ukraine with old equipment and paper maps.

Nevertheless, it is still necessary to develop and introduce new equipment to replace the old in order to keep up with progress. As a result, the Ministry of Defence and manufacturers agreed on a batch of "more than a hundred vehicles".

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- Earlier, British intelligence said that Russia could send T-14s to Ukraine, but it would be a risky decision for it. In fact, the tanks do not meet the parameters claimed by Kremlin propagandists;

- The Armata tank was ridiculed online back in 2019, when it was reported that the design was equipped with a toilet. "You can sh*t yourself without leaving the tank. Brilliant!" - users wrote.

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