Sources from the Uralvagonzavod military-industrial complex have confirmed that the T-14 Armata main battle tank, Russia’s most advanced design, will finally enter its completion phase, which is the process of completing or refining development, design and production of a vehicle to prepare it for its operational deployment.
In this phase, the lessons learned from their participation in combat operations as part of the South Russia combat group will be integrated. However, the source has not specified the exact nature of these planned alterations.
On July 19, 2023, the active but experimental participation of T-14 Armata main battle tanks in combat operations as part of the South Russian battlegroup was reported. However, due to the paucity of visual evidence, this information sparked discussions about the possible deployment of these tanks in Ukraine for combat purposes.
According to TASS, the main purpose of the deployment was to assess its performance in authentic combat conditions. Following this evaluation, the tanks were withdrawn from active service at the front.
In April 2023, the Army Recognition newsroom revealed the deployment of Russian T-14 Armata tanks to Ukraine, apparently in response to Ukrainian forces. However, until that time, these tanks had not been involved in direct offensive missions. Finally, in February 2023, the start of the training of Russian soldiers with T-14 Armata tanks was reported in preparation for their possible deployment in Ukraine.
In the context of military vehicles, the term “finishing” usually refers to the process of completing or refining a vehicle’s development, design, and production to prepare it for operational deployment. The importance of finishing a military vehicle is paramount for several reasons.
Completion of a military vehicle involves putting it through all essential tests, evaluations and adjustments to ensure it meets the required standards of performance, durability and reliability. This step is essential to ensure the vehicle’s readiness for deployment in various operational scenarios.
Military vehicles are designed and built with specific tasks and missions in mind. Completion involves refining the design and functionality of the vehicle to ensure the effective execution of its intended tasks, whether transport, reconnaissance, combat, logistics, or any other mission profile.
Since military vehicles often operate in harsh and dangerous environments, including areas of active conflict, the completion encompasses optimization of the vehicle’s protection features, including armor plating, blast resistance, and other survivability measures, all of which contribute to increasing the safety of personnel inside the vehicle.
Modern military vehicles are complex machines that incorporate a wide range of advanced communication, navigation, weaponry, and sensor systems. To finish the vehicle, it is necessary to guarantee the perfect integration, calibration and testing of all these systems to guarantee their harmonious operation.
After the completion of a military vehicle, the establishment of maintenance and support protocols becomes more agile. This includes preparing maintenance schedules, plans for acquiring spare parts and training programs for the personnel responsible for operating and maintaining these vehicles.
On August 5, 2023, the editorial team documented the presence of a T-14 Armata main battle tank near the Kazan Zhukov Higher Tank Command Command, an institution with a history of training specialized command personnel for Russia’s armored and mechanized forces. This tank was seen decked out in the characteristic Russian AFV tricolor camouflage.
The completion phase typically represents the final stage of a project’s development life cycle. This phase must be completed on time and within allotted budgets and deadlines to avoid cost overruns and delays.
In military operations, vehicles often collaborate with other military assets, spanning different vehicles, aircraft, and communication systems. The completion ensures the vehicle’s compatibility with other military equipment, facilitating effective communication and coordination. On August 18, 2023, the initial public demonstration of the T-14 Armata was reported during the Army-2023 event.
Throughout the development process, the vehicle’s military personnel provide feedback on its performance and functionality. Completion requires incorporating this feedback to address any issues or concerns end users report.
The T-14 Armata, a new generation advanced main battle tank developed by Uralvagonzavod, materialized from the Armata Universal Combat Platform initiative, which aimed to devise a versatile and adaptable combat system for various roles. Publicly unveiled during the 2015 Victory Day Parade in Moscow, the T-14 Armata has since undergone rigorous testing and trials. It is intended to gradually replace outdated Russian main battle tank models, in line with the country’s military modernization strategy.
The T-14 Armata features an unmanned turret that houses the main armament and autoloader, while the three-person crew is located in an armored pod at the front of the hull. This design choice prioritizes crew safety and minimizes the tank’s overall profile on the battlefield.
Equipped with a sophisticated fire control system that integrates data from various sensors such as high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging cameras, and laser rangefinders, the T-14 Armata aims to improve target acquisition and accuracy.
Based on the Armata Universal Combat Platform, its modular design allows for potential customization to fulfill various roles, ranging from infantry support and reconnaissance to heavy assault. Its defensive capabilities include composite armor, reactive explosive armor, and an Active Protection System (APS) called Afghanit, which can detect and intercept incoming projectiles.
Alain Henry de Frahan
