Kalashnikov Presents RPL-20 Belt-Fed Machine Gun for First Time at ADEX 2024.

Kalashnikov Concern JSC will present its new belt-fed light machine gun, the RPL-20, internationally for the first time at the 5th International Defense Industry Exhibition, ADEX 2024, which will take place in Baku from September 24 to 26.
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The RPL-20 belt-fed light machine gun. (Picture source: Kalashnikov)

This 5.45 mm machine gun is designed to engage human targets, enemy equipment, and vehicles. The cartridges are fed through a belt stored in a box attached to the weapon. One of the standout features of this model is the machine gun cover that opens downwards, allowing for the installation of a long Picatinny rail for sighting devices. This design allows for reloading and partial or full disassembly of the weapon without requiring the optical devices to be re-adjusted.

The RPL-20 also stands out for its ability to deliver a high firing density due to its belt capacity, which can hold 100 or 200 rounds. Additionally, the design enables barrel replacement and firing from the rear position of the movable system, increasing the duration of fire in automatic mode, and optimizing performance during extended firing sessions.

Two versions of this machine gun are available, with barrel lengths of 590 mm and 415 mm. It is also equipped with a folding telescopic stock, featuring an adjustable cheek rest and shoulder support, providing additional comfort for the shooter. The RPL-20 allows the installation of a wide range of modern equipment, meeting the demands of contemporary combat situations.

The key technical specifications of the RPL-20 include the use of 5.45x39 mm cartridges and a belt-fed system. The box can hold between 100 and 200 rounds, and the weapon's weight, with a long barrel but without the cartridge box, belt, silencer, or front handle, does not exceed 5.5 kg. The total length of the weapon varies depending on the version: 1,100 mm with a 590 mm barrel and 950 mm with a 415 mm barrel.

The development history of the RPL-20 marks a return for Russia to a belt-fed machine gun at the military section level. Since the retirement of the RPD in the 1960s, Soviet and then Russian armed forces have relied on the magazine-fed RPK. However, the RPK, while ideal for individual use, showed limitations in sustained fire. The RPL-20 is designed to address this shortfall by offering greater suppressive fire capability through its belt-fed system, using 5.45x39 mm cartridges.

This new Kalashnikov model fits within a series of innovations aimed at improving the effectiveness of armed forces on the battlefield by combining maneuverability, modularity, and firepower.