Russian Army began trials of the first prototype/pre-production models of the new Armata (Armada) main battle tank (MBT) in late 2013, potentially leading to a limited service entry with the Russian Army in 2016.
Prime contractor for the Armata is the UralVagonZavod Research and Production Corporation - which comprises more than 20 of the major Russian facilities engaged in the design, development, and production of tracked combat vehicles.
The Armata MBT will be armed with an externally mounted 125 mm smoothbore gun with 32 rounds of ammunition, latest information indicates. In addition to conventional ammunition, the 125 mm smoothbore gun will be able to fire a laser-guided projectile with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank warhead out to a range of at least 5,000 m. Secondary armament will consist of a 30 mm cannon and a 12.7 mm machine gun (MG).