Russian Marines To Get New Tracked Amphibia

10.10.2011 Russian defense ministry ordered a new tracked combat vehicle to be designed specially for the Navy but not refitted from army hardware. According to Izvestiya, new self-propelled vehicle will be capable to move both on land and at sea staying afloat even in strong sea disturbance. The new naval combat vehicle will be designed by JSC Kurganmashzavod.

New vehicle will be based on multipurpose tracked carrier which will be also used in other types of combat vehicles for the Army, Airborne Troops, and air defense mounts. Naval version will be equipped with engine-driven screw making possible to sail at speed up to 25-30 kph.

By initial estimates, naval tracked combat vehicle will be fielded in 2015-2016. The military expect new vehicle to widen the range of tasks. In particular, landing troops will reach coast in half an hour during over-the-horizon discharge. Currently used BMP-1 and BMP-2 are non-effective in sea disturbance, so are not frequently used in landing drills.

At present, landing troops are mostly delivered by navy-adapted BTR-80 armored personnel carriers, landing ships or boats. According to a source, defense ministry does not order the latter ones focusing on procurement of French Mistral-class assault landing docks capable to put afloat troops beyond the horizon.

It was reported late in 2009 that all marine units would be completely rearmed by 2015. Procurement of new hardware will be carried out under State Arms Program 2011-2020. The document provides deliveries of main battle tanks T-90, infantry combat vehicles BMP-3, armored personnel carriers BTR-82A, combat reconnaissance landing vehicles BRDM-3, 120-mm self-propelled guns 2S31 Vena, modernized small arms, grenade launchers, and antiaircraft assets.