Russia joins the race to supply light battle tanks to the Indian Army

Russia will field its Sprut-SDM1 light amphibious tank for the Indian Army’s upcoming tender for light tanks.

• The projecthas received in-principle approval and is planned to be procured under the ‘Make-I’ acquisition category of the Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2020.
  • ‘Make-I’ refers to government-funded projects while ‘Make-II’ covers industry-funded programmes.
  • Make-Iwas involved in the development of big-ticket platforms such as light tanks and communication equipment with Indian security protocols.
• This is in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
• The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council is expected shortly.
  
  

About Sprut-SDM1 Light Amphibious Tank:

• Project Type: Light amphibious tank
• Manufacturer: Tractor Plants Concern
• Crew: Three
• Length:08m
• Maximum Amphibious Speed: 7km/h
• Maximum Road Speed: 70km/h
• Maximum Range: 500km

Armament and protection feature of Sprut-SDM1:

• The primary armament of the tank is a 125mm gun fitted to the remote-controlled weapon station.
• The secondary armament of the tank consists of a 7.62mm machine gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.
• Guided missile weapon system: To defeat explosive reactive armour (ERA)-equipped targets and armoured fighting vehicles at ranges up to 5km.
• Protection of the onboard crew from nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) threats.
• Fire control system: A next-generation digital fire control system (FCS) is integrated in the amphibious vehicle.
• Hydro-pneumatic type suspension system: It offers improved driving comfort over all types of terrain.

Other Capabilities:

• Cross water obstacles and fire its gun while afloat
• Disembark from a ship

• Operate in high mountains in conditions of thin air, at very high and low temperatures.

Need for light tank:

• After a standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army is prioritising the procurement of a light tank, named ‘Zorawar’, for deployment in the mountains.
• The army had issued a Request For Information (RFI) for the procurement of 350 light tanks weighing less than 25 tonnes in a phased manner.