JSC Concern Kalashnikov has announced that it will begin mass production of the new 5.45 mm RPL-20 belt-fed light machine gun in 2025. The weapon was presented to the public during the Army-2024 International Military-Technical Forum.
+ Watch the presentation video of the new RPL-20 light machine gun
According to the company, technological processes for large-scale production are already underway, with the installation of necessary equipment and industrial components to meet the planned demand.
Kalashnikov’s first belt-fed light machine gun
The RPL-20 marks a milestone for the Kalashnikov Design and Technology Center, as it is the first belt-fed light machine gun developed by the company. The design was modified based on feedback from soldiers operating in the Special Military Operation (SVO) zone, making it more suitable for real battlefield conditions.
The weapon is designed to neutralize enemy troops, firing positions, and vehicles. It uses 5.45 mm ammunition fed by a non-detachable belt, stored in a box attached to the side of the gun.
Technical features
Key features of the machine gun include:
- direct belt reloading without opening the receiver;
- folding and length-adjustable stock with cheek rest and foldable shoulder support;
- standardized Picatinny rail with 46 slots for maximum flexibility in mounting sights and accessories.
According to Alan Lushnikov, General Director of Kalashnikov Concern and member of the Bureau of the Russian Union of Mechanical Engineers, “the RPL-20 is highly anticipated in combat zones.” The modified weapon has already undergone field testing and received positive reviews from military experts.
Source and images: Kalashnikov News (Telegram). This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
