Russian tank, the T-14 Armata, is considered too expensive to be deployed in Ukraine, according to the head of a Russian state-owned weapons manufacturer. Sergey Chemezov, the director general of the defence conglomerate Rostec, stated that the cost of the T-14 Armata, estimated to be between $5 million and $9 million, makes it prohibitive for fielding in Ukraine. Russia’s arsenal of existing tanks, such as the T-90, T-80, and T-72, which have all been deployed in Ukraine, are significantly cheaper. These tanks have also suffered heavy losses during the conflict in Ukraine.
Since its unveiling in 2015, the T-14 Armata program has faced various challenges. Delays, manufacturing problems, and a reduced overall fleet size have been reported.
Furthermore, there have been questions regarding the tank’s reliability. These issues have raised concerns among Western analysts who initially saw the T-14 as a potential rival to NATO systems employed by Ukraine, such as the M1 Abrams, Challenger 2, or Leopard 2 tanks.
In early 2023, the UK’s defense ministry noted that Russia was considering deploying its Armata tanks to Ukraine but highlighted the high risk associated with such a decision. The UK pointed out that the logistics chain would be strained due to the tanks’ heavier and larger size than other armour.
Moreover, commanders were unlikely to trust the T-14 system in combat.
Russian armor, including tanks and armored vehicles, has suffered significant losses in Ukraine since the start of the conflict. According to Britain’s defense ministry, Russia initially deployed approximately 1,300 tanks, over 5,000 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), and armored personnel carriers (APCs) in Ukraine.
However, current reports indicate Russia has lost around 2,700 tanks and 5,000 IFVs and APCs.
In addition to these armour losses, Russia has also experienced high casualty rates. Britain’s figures suggest that over 355,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded since the war started, with the highest casualty rate occurring last month, averaging 983 losses per day. This increase in casualties reflects Russia’s commitment to mass and attritional warfare. Though costly regarding human life, this strategy has intensified the pressure on Ukraine’s positions across the front line.