MOSCOW, June 6. /TASS/. The armor of the state-of-the-art Russian T-14 tank on the Armata platform ensures protection from all modern tank projectiles, antitank guided missiles and grenade launchers, the Scientific and Research Institute of Steel (makes part of Tractor Plants) told TASS Saturday.
"The armor of Armata ensures protection from all modern and promising tank ammunition having the 120-millimeter caliber," an Institute spokesman said, adding that the armor also protects from antitank missiles and hand grenade launchers with the calibers of 100-150 millimeters.
A number of existing antitank systems are capable of attacking targets not only directly but also from above, which makes it possible to destroy all types of modern tanks. Besides, most combat helicopters are armed with guided missiles that hit tanks’ upper part, which is less protected.
Armata is a heavy unified platform serving as a base for a tank and an infantry combat vehicle. The new tanks have received unmanned turrets, all digital control and isolated armored crew capsules. The key armament of Armata is a 125-mm gun, but the use of a 152-mm gun is not ruled out in the future. Earlier Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said an Armata shell "burns a meter of steel."
The Armata tanks were showcased during the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2015. These are experimental prototypes that returned to their manufacturer plant for improvement and later tests in troops, which are to be held in 2016. Serial production of Armatas is expected to start in 2017-2018.