PUBLISHED on August 6, 2025, 11:00 AM EST – Key Points and Summary – In a head-to-head comparison, Russia’s new-generation T-14 Armata “super tank” boasts on-paper advantages over the American M1 Abrams, including greater speed and a larger main gun.
-However, the battle-proven Abrams holds a decisive edge with its superior heavy armor, continuous upgrades, and, most critically, massive numerical superiority.
-Plagued by production problems and deemed too expensive to even deploy to Ukraine, the T-14 exists in tiny numbers.
-In any realistic conflict, the Abrams would win due to its proven track record and the sheer quantity of tanks available.
M1 Abrams vs. T-14 Armata Tank Battle: Who Wins?
Though the Cold War ended 34 years ago, the game of one-upmanship in military technological capabilities between the United States of America and post-Soviet Russia continues unabated.
In addition to categories such as fighter jets, jet bombers, combat helicopters, surface warships, and submarines, this game is also played in the arena of main battle tanks (MBTs), which are defined by their ability to integrate mobility, robust protection, and heavy firepower into a single system.”
The United States has the third-generation General Dynamics Land Systems M1 Abrams, which is the most accomplished and battle-proven MBT in the world.
(NOTE: The original designer of the Abrams was Chrysler Defense, which was purchased by General Dynamics in 1982).
Meanwhile, the Russian Federation has the newfangled, highly-touted fourth-generation T-14 Armata—which some pundits have dubbed “the most revolutionary tank in a generation” and a “super tank”—built by UralVagonZavod (“Ural Wagon Factory”), which is a subsidiary of the Russian defense conglomerate Rostec.
So, with the looming specter of the current war of words between the US and Russia possibly escalating into a shooting war, the question arises: who would win in a head-to-head fight between the M1 (the proverbial old man) and the T-14 (the proverbial new kid on the block)?
T-14 Armata Advantages
Being the far newer design, it’s not surprising that the Armata (designed in 2014; entered into production phase in 2021) would have some advantages over its mechanical American adversary (designed between 1972 and 1976; entered into production phase in 1980).
Among these are:
-Greater speed, as noted by Newsweek Senior Defense Reporter Ellie Cook in a 29 January 2023 article titled “How U.S. Abrams Compare to Russia’s T-14 Armata Tanks;” the Armata has a top speed of 55 mph (88.5 km/h), which leaves “old man Abrams” (so to speak) in the dust at 42 mph (67.5 km/h) and 30 mph (48 km/h).
-Bigger, more powerful main gun; the Armata currently packs a 125mm smoothbore cannon, and moreover, Ms. Cook cites retired British Army Brigadier Ben Barry, who states that the T-14’s turret design could potentially accommodate a 150mm caliber gun, which would “overmatch the guns and armour on existing NATO tanks.” By contrast, the M1 sports either a 105mm or 120mm main gun, depending on the specific variant.
-Better thrust-to-weight ratio, i.e., the 1,500-2,000-horsepower diesel engine on the Armata drives a 55-ton tank, whereas the Abrams’s 1,500-horsepower turbo gasoline engine powers a heavier tank at 70 tons.
-Unmanned, fully automated, digitized turret, which increases the crew’s survivability prospects; the crew is embedded within an armored capsule in the hull front,
M1 Abrams Advantages
There’s more to the survivability factor of MBTs than just fancy high-tech turrets.
As noted by defense expert Kris Osborn:
“However, while the hotcars.com report cites the Aramata’s Afghanit Active Protection System, claiming it is extremely advanced, it seems very unlikely that a fifty-five-ton tank would in any way be comparable in terms of survivability compared with an Abrams tank. ..There is, at least at the moment, nothing in the world of lightweight composites ready to truly replace or match the protective functions of heavy armor, and the materials built into the Armata may not be fully known. Also, while the Abrams tank does have a Trophy Active Protection system, that does not necessarily mean heavy protective armor should disappear, at least not yet…While survivability details regarding exactly what an Abrams tank can withstand may not be available for security reasons, it seems possible that a more heavily armored Abrams might be in a position to better withstand enemy fire. “
The M1 Abrams Keeps Getting Updates
What’s more, although the basic design of the M1 Abrams may be decades old, the tank hasn’t remained frozen in time; rather, it has undergone continuous refinement, which demonstrates the American tank’s greater adaptability and flexibility.
Indeed, as noted by the General Dynamics Land Systems official info page, the latest and greatest edition, M1A2 Abrams SEPv3, boasts improvements such as additional electrical power from an auxiliary power unit, network upgrades, stronger armor for greater protection, an ammo data link to interface with advanced ammunition, and reduced maintenance strain.
M1 Abrams Has Lots of Combat experience
Experience counts, especially combat experience.
As already noted, the Abrams is the most battle-tested MBT in the world, with its deadly effectiveness first demonstrated during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, AKA Operation Desert Storm.
Conversely, in March 2024, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov finally confirmed—contrary to earlier rumors that had been swirling around—that the Armata has never been deployed in Ukraine for being too expensive.
Which makes for a convenient segue to the M1’s most salient advantage: logistics, more specifically, mass production.
At least 10,300 M1 tanks of all variants have been built thus far, with more on the way. In sharp contrast, T-14 production numbers have languished somewhere in the low teens thus far.
During their 11-year development period, the Armatas were quickly hit by a slew of hitches, “dogged with delays, reduction in planned fleet size, and reports of manufacturing problems,” as reported by the Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MOD).
In 5 Words: The M1 Abrams Tank Wins
To use a handgunning self-defense analogy, “A .22 in the hand beats a .45 left in the gun safe.”
During World War II, the American M4 Sherman was able to gain the upper hand against Nazi Germany’s more powerful Tiger tank in the Western European Theatre, thanks to the American war machine’s ability to produce and replace it in far greater numbers.
Likewise, if World War III were to break out on the European continent tomorrow, the M1 Abrams would defeat the T-14 Armata due to the sheer numbers of proverbial dogs in the fight.
About the Author: Christian D. Orr, Defense Expert
Christian D. Orr is a Senior Defense Editor. He is a former Air Force Security Forces officer, Federal law enforcement officer, and private military contractor (with assignments worked in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany, and the Pentagon). Chris holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC) and an M.A. in Intelligence Studies (concentration in Terrorism Studies) from American Military University (AMU).
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