According to Russian officials, Putin and leaders of the former Soviet Union will unveil a state-of-the-art main battle tank during the Victor Day Parade in Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 (it’s the final product of the concept depicted in the video above).

Known as the “Armata Y-14”, it was designed and is being manufactured by Uralvagonzavod or UVZ (the largest main battle tank maker in the entire world) who have reportedly already delivered some to the Russian Armed Forces for training purposes.

By 2020, the producer plans to pump out 2,300 T-14 models with large deliveries of 500 or more commencing in 2017.

So what makes the tank so special/formidable?

Please allow The Diplomat to explain:

First, the active defense system deserves special attention. It is an individual anti-missile and anti-projectile tank defense system, supposedly capable of intercepting any type of anti-tank ammunition.

 

“It defends the vehicle from strikes, including those from the air. Thus, even the most modern Apache helicopter will not have a 100 percent chance of destroying a T-14 with its missiles. Active defense is situated along the entire perimeter of the turret at various levels, which ensures complete protection of the tank’s most important elements,” according to a Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO) report.

 

Second, the location of the crew is also quite unique for a Russian tank (as is the vehicles unmanned remotely controlled turret).

 

The crew of three men is located in an armored capsule in the forward portion of the hull. According to the specialists, the forward projection has multilayered, combined armor protection which can withstand a direct hit of any type of rounds which exist today, [including] sub-caliber and cumulative rounds.

The FMSO report also brings to light one crucial yet simple point that supports the pedestal this brand new tank has already been put upon within the international military community.

It’s truly the world’s first third-generation tank. Ever.

In other words, as fifth-generation fighter jets fly around on virtually every continent at this current moment in time, a third-generation armored land war machine is just being born.