Tank You Very Much

(From “Russia Beyond the Headlines”)

I’d never heard of Russia Beyond the Headlines before today, but they have the first look at the T-14 Armata, Russia’s new main battle tank.

This isn’t a full reveal, but as we discussed here two weeks ago, it is a turretless design for a reduced visual profile and improved crew protection.

Here’s more from RBTH:

The Russian Defense Ministry has published inaugural photographs of prospective military hardware to be commissioned in the upcoming years. The ministry has promised to demonstrate the hardware in the parade dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the victory in WWII.

Information about the prospective vehicles and their photos were posted on the official website in the section devoted to the V-Day parade. They include a photograph of the T-14 main battle tank and the armored personnel carrier built on an integrated heavy tracked platform Armata.

Both types will be represented by ten vehicles each in a mechanized column of the May 9 V-Day parade in Moscow.

“The tank mounted on the Armata platform will be the main battle tank of the Russian Ground Forces boasting brand new performance characteristics and a new ammunition feed system,” says a caption under the photo.

As to the armored personnel carrier mounted on the same platform, “this unified heavy tracked platform has completely new performance characteristics, a new ammunition feed system, and separated crew and ammunition compartments,” it said.

This year’s May Day parade promises to be a big one, with the 70th anniversary of victory in WWII, and the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. It’s nothing but pure propaganda, and frankly it seems to be working with the Russian people.