Armata Tank Heads Russia’s Rearmament Program

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As part of its massive $500 billion rearmament program, Russia is likely to focus major efforts on developing unmanned military systems, which could become its secret weapon.

One of the unmanned systems, dubbed Platform-M, was recently showcased in Crimea. The system is designed to carry out reconnaissance, patrol, cargo-carrying and combat missions. Trial tests of another robotic platform, capable of transforming into an array of useful units, ranging from a route clearance vehicle to electronic warfare system, are expected to start in late 2015.

Another unmanned system, causing great hype, is the Armata T-14 tank, which even has the capability to become completely automated – making it the first fully robotic tank in the world. With state of the art weaponry, armed with a remote control turret, and equipped with outer armour that explodes on impact to stop shells reaching the crew inside, the Armata represents a huge leap forward in Russian design, but also comes at a huge cost as it is significantly more expensive than the current models. The previous Russian tank, the T-90, was designed to have a low profile, light armour, and to be extremely manoeuvrable on the battlefield. It weighed 20 tons less than the American Abrams tank, but that meant it was also extremely vulnerable if hit by high-explosive rounds.

By comparison, the new Armata T-14 has a high ground clearance and increased armour, especially on the tank’s traditionally soft underbelly in order to protect the crew from mines. According to the Daily Mail, the Russian government claims it is protected by a shield of high-tech weaponry, including sensors which can detect incoming rounds, then automatically fire countermeasures to knock them off target.

The new tank is the result of Vladimir Putin pouring money into the country’s defence budget which has risen by around 33%. However, Putin’s expensive arms build-up faces major hurdles as Russia’s economy sinks under the weight of Western sanctions and falling oil prices.

The Armata’s price hasn’t been announced, but some speculated that the new tank could be as expensive as a fighter jet, too heavy a burden for the struggling economy. Regardless of the question of whether the tank will be used or not, it, more than anything, signifies Russia’s efforts to arm its military to unmanned platforms. Along with the U.S. and China, which seem to be striving for the same goal, many fear this might result in a robotic arms race.

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