Russian Army to Receive First Batch of RPL-20 Machine Guns

12 August, 2024 Russian RPL-20 light machine gun, August 2024. Photo: TASS The Russian JSC Kalashnikov Concern has produced the first batch of RPL-20 light machine guns for operational suitability tests.

This was reported by Russian media reporting from the Army 2024 defense technology exhibition. According to them, the first batch of 5.45-mm RPL-20 machine guns is ready to be handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defense for military operations and is being prepared for testing. "A batch of machine guns has now been manufactured and is ready to be handed over to the customer for military use.

The machine gun is produced in two versions: with a long barrel and a short barrel," said Serhiy Urzhumtsev, the concern's chief designer. Urzhumtsev said that the machine gun has already passed preliminary tests in the Russian Defense Ministry and was used by the Russian forces during their invasion to Ukraine. The machine gun, assures Urzhumtsev, received positive feedback and was noted for its high rate and accuracy of fire.

RPL-20

Developed by Kalashnikov, the RPL-20 fills the niche of light machine guns such as the FN Minimi and is designed to enhance the firepower of infantry units and complement the Kalashnikov single machine gun.

The RPL-20 is chambered in 5.45x39 caliber and uses belt-fed 100- and 200-round boxes. However, the company is also developing versions in 7.62x39 and 5.56x45 NATO calibers. According to the customer's requirements, the machine gun was developed with barrels of different lengths: 415 mm (like AK74/12) and 590 mm (like RPK74).

The first is designed to arm assault units and special forces, while the second is conventionally called an infantry machine gun. The weight of an empty machine gun with a long barrel is about 5.5 kg. The machine gun's automation is based on gas extraction from the barrel channel.

A gas engine with a long stroke is located above the barrel, similar to AK platforms. The barrel is locked by a rotary bolt equipped with two firing stops.

Russian RPL-20 light machine gun. Photo: JSC Kalashnikov Concern

The trigger mechanism is designed for automatic fire only, with a rate of fire of about 400 rounds/min in intensive mode.

The barrel of the machine gun is unchanged. The warranty service life for the RPL-20 is 20,000 rounds. The RPL-20 is fed with ammunition from a non-flowing steel belt with a capacity of 100 or 200 rounds, which is placed in semi-rigid boxes.

Metal belt and box for 100 cartridges for the RPL-20 machine gun.

Photo: JSC Kalashnikov Concern

The RPL-20 is normally loaded by pushing the tape "tongue" into the loading port. If the tape is not fully loaded, the receiver's cover with the fire control handle can be folded down to stow it. In its publications, the Kalashnikov Concern also mentions the standard equipment of machine guns with a specially designed sound moderator.

Unlike conventional systems, it can withstand prolonged firing in long bursts without burning out or destroying.