Russian Sprut-SDM1 acceptance trials to begin in December.

Acceptance trials of the prototypes of self-propelled antitank gun 2S25M Sprut-SDM1 produced by the tractor plant in Volgograd for the airborne troops will begin in December, Airborne Commander Colonel-General Andrey Serdyukov said. "Acceptance trials of the vehicle which we are waiting for will take place in December. They will take place next year and we expect the vehicle to be supplied in 2020," he added.

2S25M Sprut-SDM1 ready for air dropping, displayed at Army-2018 near Kubinka (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The airborne troops are to receive a battalion set of 2S25M Sprut-SDM1, according to the arms program up to 2028. "The troops have already received five battalion sets of BMD-4M combat vehicles and BTR-MDM Rakushka APC. This year we have to receive another two battalion sets," Serdyukov said.

The Sprut-SDM1 differs from the 2A75M gun which actually corresponds to 2A46M5 tank gun in combat characteristics. It carries 40 rounds of munitions. The ordinary set of ammunition comprises 20 fragmentation high-explosive projectiles, 14 armor-piercing fin-stabilized shells, and six antitank guided munitions (can be replaced by six cumulative projectiles). Additional weapons include coaxial PKTM machinegun. Its remotely-controlled module is mounted on top of the combat compartment. Sprut-SDM1 has six smoke dischargers Tucha 902V. The pointer is equipped with Sosna-U sight and standby PDT sight.