"Armata" is strong on paper, but what about in practice? An American analyst compared the two tanks
American military commentator Isaac Seits compared Russia's T-14 "Armata" tank with the British Challenger 3 tank. According to his assessment, the design of the "Armata" appears superior in terms of protection and mobility. However, there is insufficient independent data to confirm this superiority in practice.
"Armata" is strong on paper, but what about in practice? An American analyst compared the two tanks
It discusses to what extent the design advantages of the promising tank can serve as a basis for drawing conclusions about its capabilities in real combat.
According to the commentator, on paper, the T-14 looks more advanced in terms of protection and mobility, while the capabilities of the two vehicles are almost equal in terms of firepower. However, due to the limited possibility of independently verifying the declared characteristics, it is too early to speak of the undisputed superiority of the "Armata".
Seitz did not say exactly which tank would win in a potential clash. In his opinion, the result is determined not only by the equipment, but also by crew training and the conditions of use.
"It all comes down to crew skill and tactics. That is the most important thing," the commentator wrote.
What is the main difference of the "Armata"?
The internal structure of the two tanks differs significantly from each other. According to "Rostec", the turret of the T-14 does not accommodate a crew: the tankers sit in an armored capsule inside the hull, separated from the ammunition, and control the weapons remotely.
Such a solution changes the approach to accommodating the crew and equipment. However, the presence of an armored capsule does not mean that the tank or the people inside it are completely protected from impact.
The Challenger 3, on the other hand, is being created on the basis of a deep modernization of the Challenger 2 tank. It retains a four-person crew.
According to the manufacturer Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land, the program includes the introduction of a new turret, an L55A1 smoothbore gun, new thermal imaging sights for the commander and gunner, and digital workstations. The suspension system, engine cooling, and protection systems will also be improved.
Britain has chosen the path of upgrading an existing tank. The T-14, however, differs from previous vehicles primarily in the structure of the crew compartment.
Challenger 3 is still in the testing phase
Official data from the British Army also shows why the comparison is still theoretical for now. Challenger 3 prototypes are being tested in various regions of the country, with their equipment and software being verified.