Russia’s Sprut-SDM1 Light Amphibious Tank Completes State Tests

Russia’s Sprut-SDM1 light amphibious tank has passed tests in the sea and in subtropics.

The tank will be used by airborne troops. It is built by specialists from the Volgograd machine-building company VgTZ and Kurganmashzavod, which are part of the Rostec’s High-Precision Complexes holding.

During state tests, the tank demonstrated high navigability in the Black Sea and proved its reliability afloat. Serial production of these tanks is expected to begin soon, Rostec said in a release today.

“Given its purpose, the machine must meet very serious requirements. During state tests, the light tank underwent extreme checks at sea, in central Russia and the subtropics, where the air temperature reached +40 degrees, and passed them successfully. Testing at low temperatures is scheduled for early next year. Sprut-SDM1 is primarily intended for Russian paratroopers. It can be expected that the capabilities shown by Sprut will interest foreign customers as well,” said Bekkhan Ozdoev, industrial director of the armaments complex of the State Corporation Rostec.

The Sprut-SDM1 possesses the firepower of the main battle tank and is capable of disembarking from a ship and operating day or night in terrain impassable for other similar vehicles. is designed to provide fire support to infantry, engage armored targets, destroy enemy strong points and fortifications, and conduct battlefield reconnaissance and security.

The Sprut-SDM1 has an armament suite, corresponding to the main battle tank, and includes a 125-mm gun, a 7.62-mm remote-controlled machine gun, and a 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun. The vehicle is equipped with a guided missile weapon system designed to engage armored targets, including ERA-equipped ones, at ranges up to 5 km.

Its automated digital fire control system enables target detection, recognition and destruction on the move and at the halt, in poor visibility conditions, day or night, using different types of gunner's and commander's sights.

Its low weight and capability to cross water obstacles afloat ensure a high level of terrain passability. It is capable of fighting in the highlands and hot tropical climate, firing its gun while afloat.