Rostec-owned TsNIItochmash Supplies Ammo for Underwater Weapons to Foreign Country

Russia’s Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering (TsNIITochMash), a subsidiary of Rostec, completed the contract for the supply of a batch of ammunition for underwater weapons to a foreign customer.

“In accordance with the contract concluded between Rosoboronexport and a foreign customer, TsNIItochmash shipped 5.66-mm cartridges for special-purpose underwater assault rifles,” said Irina Semenyako, head of the department for foreign economic activity and civil projects of the institute.

Irina Semenyako noted that the ammunition had been supplied to a foreign partner who had previously purchased underwater weapons developed at TsNIItochmash: special underwater pistols SPP-1M and special underwater assault rifles APS.

Underwater weapons and ammunition have been developed by TsNIItochmash. They have been supplied abroad since 1997. The products are mainly in demand in Asia and the Middle East. “The completed contract allowed us to increase the export potential of the enterprise and, in the future, increase the share of TsNIItochmash and the Kalashnikov Group of Companies as a whole in the global market for special weapons,” Irina Semenyako emphasized.

The development of underwater weapons and ammunition for them at TsNIItochmash began in the late 1960s.

In 1971, a 4.5 mm special underwater pistol was adopted by the Soviet Navy. Subsequently, the pistol was upgraded and received the name SPP-1M. It ensures the defeat of live targets under water at a distance of 10 to 17 meters, depending on the depth of immersion, and up to 20 meters when firing in the air.

The 5.66-mm special underwater assault rifle APS was adopted by the Soviet Navy in 1975. Designed to destroy enemy combat swimmers and underwater vehicles at a distance of 10-30 meters, depending on the depth of immersion, and at a distance of up to 100 m when firing in the air. Shooting from under water at surface targets is also possible.

For firing from a pistol, a 4.5 mm SPS cartridge is used, for firing from a machine gun - 5.66 mm cartridges MPS (with a steel bullet) and MPST (tracer with a steel bullet).