WarSclerotic

Russian super-tank ‘stalls’ on rehearsal parade in Moscow
Via BBC News

(Sputter sputter clunk clunk pop. – LS)

Russia’s new high-tech battle tank has ground to a halt during a rehearsal for 9 May Victory parade in Moscow, prompting speculation of a breakdown.

(Gee, you think? – LS)

One of T-14 Armata tanks suddenly stopped on Red Square, and the driver raised a red flag – apparently to signal that he had problems.

(A white flag would have been more appropriate. – LS)

A tow vehicle was brought in, but the tank later managed to drive on.

(The tow vehicle did, however, run without incident. – LS)

The parade announcer said the stoppage had been planned to show how to “evacuate weaponry”.

(In a manner reminiscent of Baghdad Bob. – LS)

This prompted laughter from the crowds who gathered to watch the rehearsal in the Russian capital, Reuters reports.

(There will be no laughing when Boris Taxpayer gets the bill. – LS)

Alexei Zharich, deputy head of the Uralvagonzavod tank producing factory, later wrote on Twitter (in Russian) that the tank “was in full working order and left on its own”.

(With a driver I hope. – LS)

He also posted a video showing the vehicle leaving Red Square.

(Sure to go viral. – LS)

Russia’s military was responsible for the rehearsal, Mr Zharich added, and any questions should be addressed to it.

(As soon as their responses are approved by the Politburo. – LS)

The T-14 Armata has been the most talked-about innovation in Russia’s new armoury ahead of the 9 May World War Two Victory parade.

It has a remotely controlled cannon and offers additional protection to its crew, Russian military experts say.

And Russia’s RT news says the Armata could “evolve into a fully robotic battle vehicle”.

(Of course, Putin will have his very own joystick. – LS)

The experts also claim the tank is superior to the T-90 – the current mainstay of the Russian army – and also to all Western analogues.

(Rumored to be a bit more reliable than the Trabant. – LS)

Russia plans to bring in about 2,300 Armatas, starting in 2020.

(As soon as the check from Europe clears for all that natural gas. – LS)

This entry was posted on May 7, 2015 at 8:11 PM and is filed under Russia. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments.

Tags: Weapons of War