Russia starts batch production of ceramic plates for new generation Armata tank

A manufacturer in Novosibirsk has started batch production of ceramic armor components for the family of new generation armored vehicles.

"Ceramic armor testing has been completed this year. All expected properties have been confirmed. Batch production has begun," the chief of the ceramic armour bureau NEVZ-Ceramics, Andrey Nikitin, told TASS on the sidelines of the 3rd international forum Tekhnoprom on Friday.

He did not disclose any production statistics. Ceramic armor components will be used for combat vehicles based on the Armata, Kurganets and Boomerang platforms. The vehicles displayed at the V-Day May 9 parade in Moscow were equipped with ceramic armor elements.

Nikitin said that combined ceramic-steel armour plates enhance the armored vehicle’s protection 50% in contrast to that of their full metal counterparts.

"For instance, a 24 mm armor roller is capable of withstanding the impact of a 14.5 mm bullet," he said. Also, the vehicle’s mass and ground pressure go down significantly noticeably enhancing its cross-country capacity.