Rostec to Develop Wheeled Variant of ‘Sprut’ Light Tank for Export

Russia’s state-owned Rostec announced that it plans to create a wheeled variant of Sprut SDM1 light amphibious tank specifically for export.

High-Precision Weapons Holding, a subsidiary of Rostec, is currently researching a design for wheeled amphibious armored fighting vehicle (AFV) with 125-mm cannon based on Sprut.

“We have an idea to install the Sprut-SDM1 module on a wheelbase chassis, which is also likely to be able to float. What specific wheelbase we will use is still an open question; there are several very effective variants available in Russia and it all depends on the final purpose of the vehicle and which kind of troops will use it,” said Vladimir Budaev, deputy chief designer of Kurganmashzavod’s Volgograd Tractor Plant, which is part of High-Precision Weapons Holding.

Budaev added, "We assume that the wheeled Sprut will be export-oriented. In the Russian Armed Forces, the use of wheeled vehicles is less likely. Priority is traditionally given to tracked chassis which is more suitable for the geography of Russia.”

The unofficial name for a family of armored combat vehicles on a wheelbase, armed with tank-caliber cannons, which are installed in a rotating turret is "Wheeled Tanks.” Usually, these combat vehicles have poor protection compared to tanks, but have significantly greater mobility when used on general roads. They are also generally transportable by air. Wheeled tanks, for example, include French armored vehicles AMX-10RC, Italian Centauro or Japanese MCV. All of them are equipped with 105 mm guns in production versions.

Sprut-SDM1 is armed with 125-mm artillery-cannon, can be transported by ships and planes, and can be dropped by landing and parachute methods. Sprut-SDM1 has speed on the highway at 70 kmph, afloat – up to 9 kmph. Now the combat vehicle is undergoing state tests.

An upgraded variant of the Sprut-SDM1 self-propelled anti-tank gun was recently dropped from a special tower in order to test the vehicle for the ability to withstand overload during airborne insertion.