Military and Commercial Technology: Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) orders RPK-16 light machine guns

Friday 16 February 2018

Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) orders RPK-16 light machine guns

Kalashnikov RPK-16 screenshot - RUSSIA BEYOND

Russia orders RPK-16 light machine guns

Aditya Jadhav, Bangalore and Nicholas Fiorenza, London - Jane's Defence Weekly

14 February 2018

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a contract to Kalashnikov for its RPK-16 light machine gun, the company’s blog on 8 February quoted its director, Alexey Krivoruchko, as having told the TASS state news agency on 6 February.

The RPK-16 is a development of the latest version of the AK-12 assault rifle, designed to provide a higher rate of fire. According to Kalashnikov, it has a bipod but can be fired by a moving soldier. It has a changeable barrel and a more sturdy trunk.

The MoD contract follows one on 29 January for AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles.

Original post: janes.com

RPK-16 light machine gun

Kalashnikov RPK-16 screenshot - RUSSIA BEYOND

The 5.45mm Kalashnikov RPK-16 light machine gun is a prototype of the new Squad Automatic weapon proposed by “Kalashnikov” Concern. Based on traditional Kalashnikov layout and design, it has several novel technical and ergonomic features derived from the AK-12 program, as well as some specific “machine gun” upgrades such as detachable barrels that are available in two lengths, long and short.

Kalashnikov RPK-16 screenshot - RUSSIA BEYOND

First displayed to the public at Army-2016 expo, it is still in development. Eventually this gun is intended to replace old 5.45mm RPK-74 light machine guns / squad automatic weapons.

Kalashnikov RPK-16 screenshot - RUSSIA BEYOND

Kalashnikov RPK-16 light machine gun uses traditional gas operated action with rotary bolt locking. It fires from closed bolt, in single shots and full auto. It has interchangeable barrels in two configurations. Long barrels are useful for standard military operations, while short barrels are intended for close combat and Special Operations. Barrel replacement requires partial disassebly of the gun and takes about 2 minutes.

Kalashnikov RPK-16 screenshot - RUSSIA BEYOND

To further improve versatility of the gun, RPK-16 has several integrated Picatinny rails that can mount variety of sights and accessories, and can be equipped with sound suppressor. Special high capacity drum magazine is being developed for RPK-16 to give its users additional firepower.