MILEX 2025 – Kalashnikov manufactures the first serial batch of RPL-20 light machine guns

The Kalashnikov Concern manufactured the first serial batch of 5.45 mm RPL-20 belt-fed light machine guns in the interests of the customer. This was reported to the media by the general director of the defence holding company, Alan Lushnikov, at the International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX-2025

As EDR On-Line learned at the Kalashnikov stand, the RPL-20 is the first belt-fed light machine gun created in the concern’s design and technology centre. It was modified based on the customer’s recommendations obtained from the results military operations in Ukrainian theatre of operations. The improved machine gun was tested in combat and received a positive assessment from experts.

The 5.45×39 mm RPL-20 is an open bolt, fully automatic light machine gun with a rotating bolt and a long-stroke gas piston, which is much lighter than 7.62 MGs in Russian service, thanks to the use of a smaller calibre ammunition. Belt-fed, as the name indicates, RPL being the acronym of Belt-fed Machine Gun in Russia, its mass with a long barrel, without cartridge box, belt, suppressor, and front handle does not exceed 5.5 kg. It is designed to complement heavier PK machine guns and should be delivered at squad level for short-medium range engagement against enemy manpower and light vehicles. Two types of ammunition box can be attached under the weapon, hosting respectively a 100 or 200 rounds non-disintegrating belt. is fed from a belt placed in a box that is attached to the machine gun. It can be loaded by pulling the belt without opening the receiver.

The RPL-20 is fitted with a folding, length-adjustable telescopic stock, with lifting cheek and a shoulder rest. As the machine gun cover opens downwards, this allows to have a long Picatinny rail for installing sighting devices, the 46 slots ensuring maximum flexibility in the use of sighting systems for daytime and night use. The disassembly of the Kalashnikov machine gun does not require re-adjustment of the optical sights.

Thanks to its 800 rounds per minute rate of fire the RPL-20 is capable of creating a high density of rounds in front of the enemy. To allow intense fire, it is designed with a quick changing barrel system that allows maintaining sustained fire for longer time.

The RPL-20 light machine gun is available with two different barrels, a 590 mm long one for combined arms operations and a 415 mm one for assault units, which give the weapon a length of respectively 1,100 and 950 mm.

Photos by N. Novichkov @ MILEX 2025