The new T-14 Armata tank is considered by many analysts to be the
most advanced tank Russia has ever produced and a match for the best
Western tanks. Germany has accepted the challenge and begun work on
upgrading their Leopard 2 as well as a new design. The Leopard I was
widely regarded as the premier battle tank in the world.
Still,
even though the Armata seems formidable, the price will likely prevent
Russia from producing very many. “The high cost of the Armata tank is
expected to limit procurement,” writes Dmitry Gorenburg, a scholar at
Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University.
This is especially the case given the current troubles in the Russian
economy.
“According to unofficial sources, the cost per tank is
approximately 400 million rubles, which is more than double that of the
German Leopard-2 and about 60-75% higher than that of the French Leclerc
and U.S. M-1 Abrams. Yuri Borisov, the deputy defense minister
responsible for procurement, has indicated that the cost is about 2.5
times higher than stated in the State Armaments Programme.”