Russia is highly likely not to use Armata tanks in combat operations in Ukraine, says the British Ministry of Defense, citing intelligence data.

"On March 4, 2024, Sergei Chemezov, the chair of Russia's defence manufacturer Rostec, stated that Russia's most advanced Main Battle Tank (MBT), the T-14 Armata, had entered service in the Russian military but would not be deployed to Ukraine. Chemezov stated this was due to the high cost limiting manufacturing of the Armata MBT at scale," the intelligence said on X.

The ministry also said the Armata MBT made its debut on Victory Day 2015, stalling during a rehearsal. The First Guards Tank Army was due to receive the T-14 Armata MBT in 2021, but it is unlikely that the tanks were delivered to any frontline unit. Additionally, the MBT was spotted during exercises in southern Russia in December 2022, and Kremlin news agencies said it would be used in Ukraine.

"To date, it is almost certainly that the T-14 Armata MBT has not been deployed to Ukraine. This is highly likely due to the potential reputational damage of losing the 'prestige' vehicle in combat and the requirement to produce greater quantities of MBTs which can only be satisfied by other variants," the intelligence said.