The Russian army replaces its traditional light machine gun Kalashnikov RPK-74

The Kaláshnikov consortium has signed a contract to supply the advanced RPK-16 machine guns to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The Kalashnikov consortium, the main supplier of light arms infantry of the Russian Army, has closed the contract for the supply of a first batch of RPK-16 light machine guns with the Russian Ministry of Defense, said Alexéi Krivoruchko, general director of the company, cited by TASS.

The RPK-16 light machine gun has been developed by the company's own initiative to replace the traditional RPK-74 that entered service in 1974 and uses 5.45 mm caliber cartridges.

The first Kaláshnikov RPK-16, of 5,45 mm. of caliber, was presented at the international arms fair 'Army 2016'. The design of this weapon offers the possibility of replacing the cannon and using it in light infantry machine gun mode [with long barrel] and in assault weapon mode, with the shorter cannon. The 'kit' includes a silencer for special operations.

The new machine gun also incorporates the improvements included in the design of the new AK-12 assault rifle, including better ergonomics, quick and easy installation of any targeting device, the Picatinny rail, etc.