russian propagandists have claimed that a comprehensive modernization program has been carried out on the T-14 Armata tanks, which have yet to take part in combat operations during russia's nearly five-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The announced upgrades reportedly include the integration of a 152mm gun capable of firing Krasnopol guided artillery shells. This, in turn, supposedly transforms the T-14 Armata into what russian propagandists describe as a "short-range air defense system." The claim was highlighted by Andrii Tarasenko, a researcher specializing in the history of armored vehicles and weapons.
Read more: russia Equips New Geran-5 Drones With Kh-101-Style Navigation: Why Darkness Could Be Problem
russian propagandists also claim that the T-14 Armata's 152mm smoothbore gun has received a chrome-lined barrel. This allegedly allows it to fire Kornet anti-tank guided missiles with a claimed range of up to 10,000 meters.
Other reported upgrades include the integration of a Pterodactyl reconnaissance drone and a new fire control system into the tank’s onboard equipment.
The tank reportedly carries 40 rounds of ammunition, 24 of which are stored in its autoloader. Meanwhile, russia's Rostec state corporation is allegedly already working on an unmanned version of the T-14 Armata.
Defense Express highlights several important points here. First, there is a certain irony in the russian claim that the T-14 Armata has been transformed into a vehicle with the "capabilities of a short-range air defense system," as if russian forces genuinely intend to shoot down Ukrainian deep-strike drones with Krasnopol shells.
However, the sheer scale of the upgrades russian propagandists are attributing to the T-14 Armata illustrates a more fundamental problem: russia still appears to have little understanding of the role a tank should play on the modern battlefield.
Read more: How Many Cluster-Warhead ATACMS Missiles Would It Take to Cover Entire Drone Port Launching russia's Geran-4 and Geran-5?
