Rostec delivers underwater pistols and assault rifles to a foreign partner.

Rosoboronexport of Rostec State Corporation has completed the delivery of 4.5 mm SPP-1M underwater pistols and 5.66 mm APS underwater assault rifles to the foreign partner. The weapons were developed by TSNIITOCHMASH of the Rostec State Corporation for arming special forces and combat divers.
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Combat divers armed with SPP-1M pistols and specialized underwater 5.66-mm APS assault rifles (Picture source: Rostec)

The SPP-1M pistol is capable of hitting underwater targets at a range of up to 17 meters when also fired underwater or up to 20 meters when fired above the surface. In turn, the specialized underwater 5.66-mm APS assault rifle hits targets at a range of up to 30 meters under the surface, as well as at a range of up to 100 m when firing in the air.

“Water, in comparison with air, has a higher density, so it is impossible to use traditional firearms in an aquatic environment. This is why divisions of combat swimmers and scuba divers are armed with specialized small arms. Due to their characteristics and reliability, underwater weapons, like many other Rostec products, are in strong demand abroad, such as the countries of the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region,” said a speaker from the Rostec Armaments cluster.

A batch of ammunition was supplied to the customer together with the weapons. The weapons fire steel darts with a caliber of 4.5 mm and a length of 120 mm. The ammunition has a pointed conical head, with a special blunted tip. This design creates a cavity of air in front of the bullet when it moves underwater at high speeds, reducing water resistance and stabilizing the cartridge.

Combat diver armed with an underwater 5.66-mm APS assault rifle (Picture source: Rostec)

Combat divers armed with specialized underwater 5.66-mm APS assault rifles (Picture source: Rostec)