According to information published by Cable News Network “News18” on February 12, 2023, several videos are circulating on the internet and social networks showing Russian soldiers carrying out live fire training with the latest generation of Russian-made main battle tanks, T-14 Armata. Citing Russian sources, T-14 Armata tanks will be deployed in Ukraine to counter Leopard 2A6 and M1A2 Abrams tanks promised by the United States and European countries.
Indeed, the United States and European countries have agreed to deliver modern Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) to Ukraine. The United States has approved the supply of 31 M1A2 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, while the United Kingdom announced on January 14, 2023, the delivery of 14 British-made Challenger 2 tanks, and Germany has approved the donation of 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks with ammunition.
Other European countries have also made the decision to supply other variants of the Leopard 2 tank and more than 200 Leopard 1A5 tanks from Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Neither the Leopard 2A6 nor the T-14 Armata has ever been deployed in actual tank combat during a conflict. It will be interesting for tank manufacturers and armed forces to discover the strengths and weaknesses of these new tank generations during a real conflict.