Rostec Plans Cannon-Armed Wheeled Amphibious Armored Vehicle

Russia’s State Corporation Rostec plans to develop a wheeled amphibious Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) featuring a 125-mm cannon.

Vladimir Budaev, deputy chief designer of the Volgograd Tractor Plant (part of Kurganmashzavod, High-Precision Weapons holding company of Rostec State Corporation), said the plans would see a Sprut-SDM1 module installed on an amphibious wheeled chassis:

“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.”

Budaev added that a wheeled Sprut will be export-oriented, as the Russian Armed Forces traditionally prioritize tracked systems as they are more suitable for the geography of Russia. 

Sprut-SDM1 has been created by PJSC Kurganmashzavod – part of the High-Precision Weapons holding company. The Sprut-SDM1 is armed with a 125-mm artillery-cannon, can be transported by ships and planes, and can be dropped by landing and parachute methods. Sprut-SDM1 has a speed of up to 70 km/h on land and up to 9 km/h on water.