Czech Republic Tests Replacement for Soviet-Era Amphibious Vehicle PTS

Czech rescuers have tested a new amphibious vehicle, KALAN, which can replace the Soviet PTS.

The Czech Fire and Rescue Service reported the test in a Facebook post.

During the tests, KALAN was compared with the Czech modification of the Soviet PTS-M under the local index PTS-10.

The development is funded by the Czech Technology Agency under the TREND program.

KALAN is designed for search and rescue operations, cargo and personnel transport, and modular configurations for various missions.

The maximum speed on roads is 60 km/h, cruising speed is 35 km/h, and on water – up to 12 km/h. The vehicle is equipped with a Tatra V12 diesel engine.

The vehicle is 10.2 meters long, 3.3 meters wide and 3.07 meters high.

KALAN weighs 20 tons and has a maximum payload of 9 tons.

The equipment includes a hook loader for containers, a winch with rollers, a Loyd container securing system, a hydraulic boom and anchor elements for cargo.

The developers have provided for the installation of military modules, including multiple launch rocket systems and air defense.

The use of such transportation is critical for the Czech Republic, given the possibility of major flooding.

Previously, in September 2024, Militarnyi reported that the Czech Armed Forces would deploy army aviation and engineering units to conduct search and rescue and food supply operations in flooded regions.

Neighboring Poland, which was also suffering from floods at the time, was using PTS-M to evacuate civilians and conduct search and rescue operations.