The Russian Federation sells India T-14: analytics have answered whether Delhi would rescue the Russian "armature"

Focus has translated the article of a journalist-specialist in Military Technology Peter Suchio for the National Interest portal, to find out if there is a chance of an agreement that will help the Russian Federation. The United Aviation Corporation of Russia (UAC) has repeatedly tried to enter into an agreement with India on the joint production of the Fifth Generation Su-57.

Although New Delhi did not make any statements, there is reason to believe that India will still opt for a Russian multi-purpose fighter. Perhaps the aircraft will not be the only Russian development that they will be licensed on a subcontinent. Earlier this week, Indian media reported that the Kremlin offered New Dely its long-announced main battle tank (VTT) T-14 "Armat" to replace the outdated T-72 Ajeya park.

In addition to the supply of new tanks, Moscow has included the offer, according to which the T-14 will be made under a license under the Make In India. In addition, the Russian State Uralvagona, which produces the T-14, made it clear that India would adapt the tank to local needs. Moscow is even ready to allow the installation on Indian "Armat" engine of local production Datran-1500HP instead of Russian 12H360.

Among the enterprises that can participate in the joint production of the tank are called the Indian company Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE). As part of such partnership, the Indian government will allocate up to 70% of the funds for the development of the first prototype. The Kremlin began work on the Armat program in 2011, and the T-14 prototype was presented at the Victory in Moscow in 2015.

However, the prototype broke during the rehearsal of the parade, which herald the future difficulties encountered by the program. Despite the falsestart, the Kremlin has announced plans to build 2300 T-14 by 2020, with a new platform should receive the 1st Guards Tank Army (GTA). Another ten years have passed, during which Russia has significantly reduced the order.

It has been announced that instead of a thousand "Armat" they will produce a party of hundreds of cars for the 2nd Guards Taman Motorized Rifle Division. However, production did not reach even this reduced amount. According to August 2025, less than two dozen T-14 came from the conveyor. One of the factors was budgetary restrictions, and the sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine were further disrupted by the program.

Therefore, for the T-14 will be a real victory if India decides to accept it, thus significantly supporting the program by reducing the costs of the Russian side. "It is estimated that each unit of T-14 will cost about $ 3. 4-4. 8 million, but local production in India can reduce this amount by at least $ 1. 14 million," the Ukrainian edition United24 Media reports. If India and Russia are able to agree on the joint production of the T-14, then such an agreement will not be the first.

Uralvagonova has already concluded an agreement with New Delhi on the transfer of technologies of its T-90 tank, which is produced in India as T-90 Bhishma. This tank uses up to 83% of Indian technologies, including a local engine. Russia and India have not yet concluded an agreement, and perhaps it will not be implemented. The most important problem is the cost. T-14 is a very expensive tank, and even if India can reduce the price, it will remain quite high for the unverified platform.

The lack of experience in combat use of the T-14 and its vulnerability to new threats, including drones, also pose serious risks. Will India want to produce hundreds or even thousands of T-14, just to find that inexpensive Pakistani or Chinese drones and portable actors easily destroy tanks during border clashes? Such clashes are just a matter of time.

India has not yet recovered after one of its French fighters Dassault Rafale was shot down by a Chinese production rocket produced by the Pakistan fighter. India trusted Rafale advertising and received an expensive and shameful lesson; It is unlikely that the country wants to repeat it with T-14. Peter Suchyu is a 30-year journalist who has published more than 3,200 articles in more than four dozen magazines and websites.