New RPK-16 light machine gun will enter in service with Russian army

The Kalashnikov Concern of Rostec State Corporation and the Russian Defense Ministry signed a contract for the delivery of the latest 5.45mm RPK-16 machine guns, company CEO Alexey Krivoruchko said. The weapons have successfully passed test operation in the troops, Rostec said.

RPK-16 light machine gun was unveiled at Army-2016 International Military Technical Forum near Moscow, Russia. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The RPK-16 is a 5.45mm caliber light machine gun (LMG) designed and manufactured by the Russian small arms manufacturer Kalashnikov Group, a subsidiary of the Russian ROSTEC state corporation. The RPK-16 was unveiled during Army-2016, the International Military Technical Forum which was held near Moscow in September 2016.

"The multifunctional RPK-16 machinegun combines the characteristics of a light machinegun and assault rifle. The design allows replacing the barrel. RPK-16 with a short barrel can be used as an assault rifle and with a long barrel as a portable machinegun," Rostec said.

A 95-catridge magazine was designed for the weapon which is compatible with Kalashnikov rifle. The machinegun fires single shots and short bursts to a distance of 600 meters and long bursts and uninterrupted fire - 300 meters. The fire rate is 700 shots per minute. The weapon weighs 4.5kg which is only half a kilo heavier than standard AK-74M.

The RPK-16 light machine uses the standard design and layout of Kalashnikov assault rifle family. it uses traditional gas operated action with rotary bolt locking. The RPK-16 has barrel change capability, so it can be uses as a standard light machine gun with a long barrel or as an assault machine gun with a short barrel.