
British military intelligence officers have issued a warning over a new Russian 'super tank' which they claim is far superior to anything which is available to Nato.

The document claims that Britain's Challenger II main battle tank could be overpowered by the Kremlin's new Armata tank.

Officials believe the new Russian tank is 'revolutionary' and blames the government for failing to provide a proper response.

Russia displayed its new Armata main battle tank at the Victory Day parade in Red Square in May this year

The new tank has several highly advanced features including an un-manned turret which makes the machine safer for crews

Military analysts have warned the tank is more advanced than Nato's current heavy armour including Britain's Challenger II

The new Armata is the first Russian tank which considered the crew's ability to survive

The current policy is to not consider a new main battle tank for at least 20 years as heavy armour is not suited to countering the threat posed by lightly-armed Jihadis.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, the internal military document said: 'Without hyperbole, Armata represents the most revolutionary step change in tank design in the last half century.'

'Unsurprisingly, the tank has caused a sensation.'

The Russians showed off their new Armata tank at the annual May Day parade.

Intelligence experts believe the new Russian tank has a lower profile than Western heavy armour, is faster and lighter.

The turret has the ability to self-load its ammunition, including high explosive and armour piercing rounds. It also has the ability to fire anti-tank missiles.

British officials believed the main battle tank was obsolete and ineffective against jihadis

British defence planners had initially decided to abandon plans to replace the Challenger II

Also, the Russian machine has an unmanned turret and for the first time, Russian tank designers have considered the the ability for their crews to survive a hit as part of their design.

The document also assesses the Russian tank's potential armament and claims it could be far superior to the current Nato offerings.

It adds: 'For the first time, a fully automated, digitised, unmanned turret has been incorporated into a main battle tank. And for the first time a tank crew is embedded within an armoured capsule in the hull front.'

The document warns that Vladimir Putin presents a threat to countries surrounding his borders and this new tank will be crucial to his expansionist aims.

The Armata is the first totally new Russian tank since the introduction of the T-72 in 1973.

The crew of three is smaller than most Nato tanks who normally have four people on board.

The vehicle's hull is made from steel, ceramics and composite materials. It is also protected by explosive reactive armour.

The tank's 125mm main gun loads itself an is capable of firing anti-tank missiles.

The missiles have a range of approximately five miles.

Western government have expressed concern about the Russian government's attempt to replace much of the Soviet Union.

Nato has accused Moscow of trying to undermine the former Soviet states such as its policy towards Ukraine.

Officials from the military alliance have expressed concern over Russia's intentions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said: ' he truth is, however, that Russia is not going to attack anyone, that’s ridiculous.’

Putin has ordered the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean do enable airstrikes in Syria

Russian leader Vladimir Putin, pictured, has been accused of trying to undermine the US presidential electiion.

He added: ‘Russia values its independence and own identity

‘We don’t want world domination or expansion or confrontation with anyone.’

Mr Putin’s assurance came as Russia launched a new super stealth submarine which will be deployed to the Black Sea.

The Veliky Novgorod is the latest addition to the Balck Sea fleet and is capable of striking land, sea and underwater targets.

And pictures also emerged of of elite Russian ‘super’ soldiers dressed in black who can parachute out of a plane before using special equipment to plunge 100ft below water with underwater machine guns.

Putin’s Special Operations Forces divers are armed with night vision goggles and underwater submachine guns APS and SPP-1, which can send bullets several metres through the water.

Video footage showed them swimming for long distances below the water before coming onto land to launch an assault.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon announced on Wednesday that Britain would send warplanes, drones, tanks and 800 troops to Eastern Europe to deter Russian aggression.

The armoured force, deployed next year, will be part of the Nato’s biggest military build-up in the region since the Cold War.

British troops took part in international military drills in Germany yesterday in a show of force.

RAF pilots joined forces with seven other EU allies for a major exercise involving 600 troops from across the continent.

The unit will test the NATO member’s readiness to deploy a multi-national task force at short notice.

The start of the exercise saw British troops from RAF Leeming’s 90 Signals Unit establish communications, navigation aids, a mobile air traffic control tower and mobile radar facilities at the fictional air base in southern Germany.

Personnel from 1 Air Control Centre then set up a temporary landing zone and provided enemy air activity warnings in the staged drill.

They provided enemy air activity warnings and directed helicopters, fighter jets and drones to their landing targets.

Last month,Putin ordered the deployment of the aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean to continue his was war in support of Bashar Al-Assad.