At the beginning of 2022, tests of the light floating tank "Octopus-SDM1" will be completed. The preparation of production for the serial production of armored vehicles has already begun.
This was reported to RIA Novosti by the industrial director of the arms complex of the Rostec State Corporation Bekhan Ozdoev. He noted that for a year and a half of testing, the Octopus-SDM1 demonstrated high water-handling qualities in the Black Sea, one of the machines has already passed 8 thousand kilometers, showing the reliability and safety of all systems.
Currently, technological processes are being worked out, the necessary equipment is selected and manufactured. Bekhan Ozdoev added that the Octopus-SDM1 is a unique machine that has no analogues in the world. It combines the qualities of a light tank and a BMD, is not inferior in firepower to the T-90MS, and is armed with a 125 mm caliber cannon, a record for its class. In addition, the tank floats well, will pass up to 500 kilometers without refueling, it can be dropped from the air together with the crew.
At the final stage of state tests, the Octopus-SDM1 will be transported on IL-76 aircraft.
Svetlana Tsygankova
