The chances of zero: Russia tries to sell India's amphibian tanks "Press-SDM1"

Meanwhile, India has its own development - a Zorawar tank, the initial version of which, despite problems with the engine, should be presented in December 2023. At the Dubai Airshow arms exhibition in November, the CEO of Rozoboronexport Alexander Mikheev made a statement that the company maintains the affection of the Indian initiative to create a new party of light tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.

According to the Bulgarian Militis, Michaev's words can be regarded as a desperate call to the Indian side of the light tank 2C25 "Press-SDM1", the agreement on which has never been taken place. The material of November 23 states that India, which has problems with the supply and maintenance of Russian weapons, does not seem to be intended to restore negotiations with the Russian Federation for the purchase of light tanks.

The observers reminded that in 2020, due to the exacerbation of tension on the border with China, the Government of India became interested in Russian amphibians "Press-SDM1" in order to strengthen troops in the border territories. "Given the powerful Chinese arsenal, which includes Light Type 15 tanks, the purchase of" Press-SDM1 "has become a question of strategic need," experts said. However, the agreement did not take place and was not agreed, which marked the refusal to implement the plan.

Instead, Indian engineers engaged in their own development of a light Zorawar tank, the sample of which was first presented at Defexpo 2022. And although work on Zorawar has now become staggered because In the mountains, they plan to present in December 2023. The prototype must then undergo research tests. The Russian Tank-Ampaibia 2C25M "Press-SDM1" is built on a modernized chassis of landing machine BMD-4M. Its main weapons include 125-mm smooth-bore gun 2A75 and 7. 62-mm Universal Machine gun PCT.

In this case, the combat power is strengthened by the new digital fire control system. The tank is also equipped with a combat module for launching an anti -tank managed missile 9K119 "Reflex". The tank is equipped with a 500 hp diesel engine UTD-29, which allows it to develop speeds up to 70 km/h on the highway, 45 km/h on off-road and up to 10 km/h when driving on water.