| PTS-M | |
| Type: | Tracked amphibious transport |
| Manufacturer: | Lugansk teplovoz LTvZ, Soviet State Factories |
| Production: | Begun 1965 |
| Assembly: | Soviet Union |
| Class: | Tracked amphibious transport |
| Body Style: | Waterproofed hull |
| Layout: | Front engine (under floor), front drive sprocket[1] |
| Engine: | A-712P V12 water-cooled diesel (PTS) or V-54P V12 water-cooled diesel (PTS-M) 250hp 350 hp (PTS-M) |
| Transmission: | Water: PTO propeller drive |
| Length: | 11.52m (37.8feet) |
| Width: | 3.32m (10.89feet) |
| Height: | 2.65m (08.69feet) |
| Weight: | 17700kg (39,000lb) |
| Range: | 300km (200miles) |
The PTS is a Soviet tracked amphibious transport. PTS stands for Plavayushchij Transportyer - Sryednyj or medium amphibious transport vehicle. Its industrial index was Ob'yekt 65.
Introduced in 1965,[1] it is large, with a substantial payload of 10 tons, two to four times the capacity of the BAV 485, and better cross-country performance, at the cost of somewhat higher purchase costs because it is tracked. The most common model is the improved PTS-M that is powered by a 350 hp diesel engine.
The PTS has a boxy, open watertight hull, with six road wheels per side,[1] front drive sprocket,[1] rear idler sprocket, and no return rollers. Like the BAV 485, and unlike the DUKW, it has a rear loading ramp. The crew is seated at the front, leaving the rear of the vehicle open for a vehicle, which can be driven (or backed) in, rather than lifted over the side. The engine is under the floor.[1] Propulsion in water is by means of twin propellers, in tunnels to protect them from damage during land operations.[1]
The PTS-M also has a companion vehicle, the PKP, a boat-like amphibious two-wheeled trailer, with fold-out sponsons providing stability on water;[1] the combination allows the PTS-M to accommodate an artillery tractor, field gun (up to medium caliber),[1] its crew, and a quantity of ammunition, all in one load.[1]
In 2014, the Russian Defense Ministry intends to purchase an undetermined number of PTS-4s, which underwent acceptance trials in 2011. The vehicle will be fitted with a remotely operated 12.7mm machine gun and a multi-fuel engine. The PTS-4 weighs 33 tons, with a payload of 12 tons on land (18 tons on water). Projected maximum road speed is 60km/h, with an expected maximum speed in water of 15km/h.[2] Unlike its predecessors, it uses T-80 suspension components. The fully enclosed cab offers protection against small arms fire and splinter. Production began in 2014.[3]
The PTS-M was adopted by the Soviet Army and Warsaw Pact forces,[1] and has been supplied to Egypt,[1] the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Uruguay, and other nations.
Algeria
Egypt - PTS-M[1] (used during operation Badr)[4]
Georgia
Indonesia (Indonesian Marine Corps)
Iraq
Sudan[6] 
Uruguay - 2 PTS in service
Poland - 282 PTS-M [8]
Ukraine - 15 PTS-2
Czech Republic
Latvia
Slovakiahttps://www.valka.cz/SOV-PTS-PTS-M-t13003