Russia: Watch new high-tech armour roll through Red Square on Victory Day

The Russian Defence Industry's latest hi-tech armour and weapons rolled through Moscow, Saturday, as part of the 2015 Victory Day parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the 'Great Patriotic War'. Among them were the Armata T-14 main battle tank, the Armata T-15 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), the Kurganets-25 APC, the 2S35-SV Koalitsiya self-propelled howitzer, the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles and the BTR-MD Rakushka APC. The T-14 Armata main battle tank is Russia's most advanced battle tank and argued to be the deadliest armoured fighting vehicle in the world. It has several unique features including an unmanned remotely-controlled turret, fully automated ammunition loading and computerized targeting systems, and a cutting-edge radar system able to simultaneously track up to 40 ground and 25 air targets within a 96 km (59 mile-) radius. The T-14 is said to be armed with a 30mm sub-calibre ranging gun, 12.5mm heavy machine gun with turret, and a remote-controlled 125mm 2A82-1M smoothbore cannon, which boasts a greater muzzle energy than the German Leopard-2 Rheinmetall 120 mm. The cannon can fire a range of munitions, including guided missiles, shaped-charges and armour-piercing discarding sabot (APDS). Following trials in 2016, over 2,300 Armata T-14s are expected to be delivered to Russia's armed forces by 2020, replacing the older T-72s and T-90s. Sharing the same chassis and armour as the Armata T-14, the Armata T-15 is a heavy infantry combat vehicle. Like the T-14, the T-15 requires only a 2-person crew, but it can carry a currently unknown amount of infantry. The T-15s are rumoured to have 30mm automatic cannons near the rear of the vehicle, an automatic grenade launcher, a machine gun, and antitank guided missile system. The Kurganets-25 light tracked infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) has a new active-defence system against tank shells and is said to boast a gamepad-style controller similar to a Playstation console. Designers say they believe the unique console will allow young soldiers to familiarise themselves with the vehicle's controls in less time. Replacing steering wheels with a gamepad also offers more space within the vehicle, as well as avoiding risks associated with steering wheels during impact, such as an increased likelihood of crew members damaging their ribcages. This breakthrough, called the Epoch unmanned combat module, makes it the first Russian infantry combat vehicle in which infantry are separated from the module containing weaponry and munitions. The Kurganets-25 is expected to enter mass production in 2016. The new 2S35-SV Koalitsiya self-propelled howitzer, which is also based on the Armata platform, succeeds the 2S19 Msta-S. When using precision-guided rounds, its 152mm and 155mm calibre howitzer is said to be able to hit ground targets at a distance of up to 70km (43 miles) away. Despite being deployed in 2009, the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (NATO reporting name SS-29) will also make its public debut during the parade. Based on a 16-wheeled Kamaz mobile transporter, the MIRV-equipped ICBM has the capacity to carry between four and ten independently targetable warheads. The Yars is expected to become the main ground-based component in Russia's nuclear triad. The BTR-MD Rakushka is a new amphibious armoured personnel carrier (APC). The BTR-MD is set to replace the BTR-D air assault transporter. The BTR-MD is based on the BMD-4's chassis. It has been adapted by having the turret removed and enlarging the hull. Therefore, the Rakushka has more internal space meaning it can be used to carry more ammunition, up to 13 troops plus two crew members, cargo, fuel and other supplies if required. It is equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun and an AGS-17 30mm grenade launcher. Modernized AK-74M assault rifles, expected to be fitted with 40-mm grenade launchers and bayonets, were also be on show during the parade. Manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern say the modified model offers a 50-percent increase in accuracy at a distance of up to 300 metres (328 yards).