Kalashnikov Presents The New Belt-Fed RPL-20 Light Machine Gun At ADEX

Kalashnikov Concern JSC presents its new RPL-20 belt-fed light machine gun for the first time outside Russia at the 5th International Defense Industry Exhibition, ADEX 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan from September 24th through the 26th. The rifle was first revealed during the Army 2020 Expo four years ago when it was still in development. Since the RPD was retired in the 1960s, the Soviet, and later Russian, go-to machine guns have been the magazine-fed RPK light machine gun and the belt-fed PKM general purpose machine gun. If adopted the RPL-20 would mark the return of the belt-fed machine gun for the Russian military.

The RPL-20, chambered in 5.45x39mm, is fed via non-disintegrating belts in 100 or 200-round quick detach boxes. The light machine gun can be loaded quickly by pushing a new belt through the feed block and pulling the starter tab until the first round seats. A unique feature of the RPL-20 is that the machine gun cover opens downwards, allowing for reloading and partial or full disassembly of the weapon without any need to re-adjust aiming devices attached to the full-length Picatinny top rail. Additionally, it includes fixed front and rear iron sights with built-in sight protectors.

The RPL-20 meets the demands of contemporary combat by allowing a wide range of attachments at the front of the rifle, with additional Picatinny sections at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. The handguard is a monolithic continuation of the upper receiver, connected to the barrel at the 2-position adjustable gas block, adding rigidity to the chassis and maintaining zero for devices such as IR laser designators. The barrel is also fitted with a short Picatinny mount just behind the muzzle break, allowing a more forward tripod mount if the shooter prefers. The threaded muzzle device accommodates an optional suppressor attachment.