Russia begins serial production of a light amphibious tank

 The light amphibious tank of the Russian army 2S25M Sprut-SDM1 enters serial production. The information was disclosed by the executive director of Kurganmashzavod Pyotr Tyukov. 2S25M Sprut-SDM1 has successfully passed state tests, and has shown high amphibious qualities in the Black Sea, says Tyukov.

He also highlighted that the light tank’s 125mm gun and weapons suite also performed well during the water tests. “The shooting tests confirmed the characteristics of the weapon” was Tyukov’s comment during the currently ongoing international defense and security exhibition Armi-2022. The exhibition is held in Moscow.

Tyukov emphasized that his company is working on “correcting the project documentation for its approval in the interdepartmental commission and assigning the designation O1”. The plant’s production facilities are currently being adjusted to start serial production of the 2S25M Sprut-SDM1, Tyurov also said.

The Sprut-SDM1 is a 125 mm self-propelled anti-tank gun. Some Western experts prefer to call it a light amphibious tank. The 125mm Sprut-SDM1 has several updates from the original version – a new add-on armor kit, as well as new versions of the fire-control system and remote weapon station.

There is no official information yet on the features of the add-on armor kit. They say the fire control system is similar to the one integrated into the T-90 main battle tank. The system includes a day and night commando sight, as well as thermovision. At the same time, what is new in the remote weapon station is the integration of a PKTM machine gun, as well as six 902V ‘Tucha’ smoke dischargers.

The original 2S25 Sprut-SD was designed in late 2011 but entered service only in 2005. The main gun is the 125mm 2A75M which is said to be very similar in performance to the 2A46M5 – the tank version. The 2A75M can fire all types of projectiles fired by the T-90 and T-72 tanks.

Sprut-SDM1 is operated by a crew of three. The vehicle is powered by a 2V-06-2S water-cooled diesel engine providing 510 horsepower. Its suspension is hydropneumatic suspension with variable height control [190 mm−590 mm]. The maximum speed is 70 km/h on the road, but on rough terrain, it varies around 45 km/h, and in water, it moves at 10 km/h. With one full tank of fuel, the vehicle can travel a distance of 500 km.

Currently, only the Russian Army is the operator of the 2S25 Sprut-SD. Although it has been in service for nearly 15 years, according to information from open sources only 30 vehicles are in service. However, Russia has placed an order in recent years for the production and delivery of an additional quantity. There is no evidence that the 2S25 Sprut-SD or Sprut-SDM1 participated in military operations, including the war in Ukraine.