In Russia unveils in action a new Sprut-SDM1 airborne light tank

[Zarvan]

Jun 16, 2016
52

Sprut-SDM-1 at Army-2015 defense exhibition near Moscow (с) VLAS
In Russia perform firing exercises of new Sprut-SDM1 airborne light tank at the Struga Krasnie range in Pskov region, according by military-informant.com.

The Sprut-SDM1 is an airborne self-propelled tank destroyer or light tank developed and manufactured by the Russian defence company, Volgograd tractor factory joint stock company. Airborne light tank was designed for the Russian airborne troops.

The first version of the 2S25 Sprut-SD was based on a chassis using the technology of BMD-3 / BMD-4airborne infantry armoured vehicle, the new version, the Sprut-SDM1 uses components of the BMD-4Mchassis as well as the same engine.

The Sprut-SDM1 able to destroy main battle tanks and armoured vehicles. The main armament of the Sprut-SDM1 is the same as the previous version, but the vehicle is fitted with a new fire control system and new panoramic sight mounted to the rear top side of the turret. The panoramic sight is similar to the system used on the T-90MS main battle tank.

The Volgograd tractor factory will present a series of trial on state tests in 2017 and the production of the new Sprut-SDM1 could be started in the beginning of 2018.

http://defence-blog.com/army/in-russia-unveils-in-action-a-new-sprut-sdm1-airborne-light-tank.html

 

[Penguin]

I'm surprised this isn't seeing more exports: very nice combination of firepower and mobility (air portable, air dropable, amphibious, nimble on the ground). Not quite sure about protection levels.

Supposedly: "Through the frontal arc of 40° left and right the armour provides protection against attack from fire up to 75 mm and through the remainder of the vehicle against attack from 30 mm."
http://www.armyrecognition.com/russ...data_sheet_specifications_description_uk.html

Incidentally, Spruts SDM-1 news and pic above are from Army-2015 defense exhibition near Moscow:
http://www.armyrecognition.com/weap...ured_tank_destoyer_at_army-2015_12106151.html

Recoil? What recoil?

Photo by Andrey Kryuchenko

 

[born]

I'm surprised this isn't seeing more exports: very nice combination of firepower and mobility (air portable, air dropable, amphibious, nimble on the ground). Not quite sure about protection levels.

Supposedly: "Through the frontal arc of 40° left and right the armour provides protection against attack from fire up to 75 mm and through the remainder of the vehicle against attack from 30 mm."
http://www.armyrecognition.com/russ...data_sheet_specifications_description_uk.html

Incidentally, Spruts SDM-1 news and pic above are from Army-2015 defense exhibition near Moscow:
http://www.armyrecognition.com/weap...ured_tank_destoyer_at_army-2015_12106151.html

Recoil? What recoil?

Photo by Andrey Kryuchenko

Dont you think IFVs equipped with anti-tank missiles be a better option ?

 

[masud]

Dont you think IFVs equipped with anti-tank missiles be a better option ?

sir, don,t you think ATV equiped with SPIKE, HJ-12, JAVELIN would be much more batter option .........rather then IFVs equipped with anti-tank missiles.

I'm surprised this isn't seeing more exports: very nice combination of firepower and mobility (air portable, air dropable, amphibious, nimble on the ground). Not quite sure about protection levels.

Supposedly: "Through the frontal arc of 40° left and right the armour provides protection against attack from fire up to 75 mm and through the remainder of the vehicle against attack from 30 mm."
http://www.armyrecognition.com/russ...data_sheet_specifications_description_uk.html

Incidentally, Spruts SDM-1 news and pic above are from Army-2015 defense exhibition near Moscow:
http://www.armyrecognition.com/weap...ured_tank_destoyer_at_army-2015_12106151.html

Recoil? What recoil?

Photo by Andrey Kryuchenko

this is the one and only platfrom... i would love to see in our army arsenal rather then mbt-2000. but the chance is zero..............

 

[Penguin]

Dont you think IFVs equipped with anti-tank missiles be a better option ?

Not for all jobs, no. Besides, this 125mm cannon can also fire ATGWs (laser guided missiles Refleks, Invar, Invar-M)

 

[mustafa erkan]

Isnt it has a high profile for a light tank?

 

[Penguin]

Isnt it has a high profile for a light tank?

It features hydropneumatic suspension with a variable height clearance of 190–590mm (i.e. 40 cm variability)

Height 2.72 m v Height 2.55 m for M8 Armored gun system, 2.98 m for Bradley IFV, or Height 2.7 m for CV9040.
BMP-3 Height 2.4 m
BMD-3 Height 2.17 m (7 ft 1 in) (minimum) to 2.45 m (8 ft 0 in) (maximum)

 

[Desertfalcon]

I'm surprised this isn't seeing more exports

I'm guessing one reason may be vulnerability. It's chassis is just aluminium composite that is only rated to withstand a 25mm shell fired from beyond 500 yards. That's pretty thin skinned. I'm guessing that about any light hand-held anti-armour rocket will penetrate it.

 

[Penguin]

I'm guessing one reason may be vulnerability. It's chassis is just aluminium composite that is only rated to withstand a 25mm shell fired from beyond 500 yards. That's pretty thin skinned. I'm guessing that about any light hand-held anti-armour rocket will penetrate it.

Yeah, but how hard can it be to bolt on a bunch of slat? The BMD-4M can be fitted with add-on armor kit for improved protection.

 

[SQ8]

I'm surprised this isn't seeing more exports: very nice combination of firepower and mobility (air portable, air dropable, amphibious, nimble on the ground). Not quite sure about protection levels.
Photo by Andrey Kryuchenko

The protection levels are possibly not what deter exports, rather the general lack of effective airborne divisions in most nations besides the US and Russia. Till the 90's(and to a sense even today), British airborne forces lacked any effective recce and their support systems were pretty outdated. Airborne CONOPS for the US and Russia were much more evolved in terms of support equipment and deployment options.

Sure, the French had both the Chasseurs and RiMA using Airborne manoeuvre elements but none that well developed as say that of the 101st or the VDV Divisions which were able to operate totally independent if needed. Hence, there arent many customers for this particular type of element.

 

[Penguin]

BMD-4 and family, incl Sprut, is also very 'sea worthy' so could be of interest to marine units, not just airborne units. See e.g. Indonesian navy, which also uses BMP-3F (as does Russian navy. Russian naval infantry furthermore uses BMMP = BMP-3 with BMP-2 turret). And, with multinational humanitarian and peacekeeping ops having become more frequent, strategic deployment should also be considered.