PTS stands for Plavayushchij Transportyer - Sryednyj or medium amphibious transport vehicle.

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; the combination allows the PTS-M to accommodate an artillery tractor, field gun (up to medium caliber), 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.

[4] 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.