The Kalashnikov Concern continues to develop a line of pistols based on the latest Lebedev pistol. The developers plan to create a submachine gun that will replace the legendary Stechkin, as well as the production of miniature weapons.
They intend to produce an ultra-compact modification of the newest Lebedev pistol in Russia. As Sergey Urzhumtsev, Deputy General Director and Chief designer of Kalashnikov Concern JSC, said in an interview with TASS, there will be such a sample in the Lebedev pistol line. He noted that it is not yet possible to accurately name the time when the new product will appear on the market. This will be determined by the needs of the structures that will order it. "In any case, it will appear a little later than the existing versions - the MPL, MPL-1 and PLC pistol-will enter the market," Urzhumtsev said.
Manufacturers are convinced that the creation of an ultra-compact pistol is necessary for the development of the market niche of this weapon. Now almost all the world's pistol brands have such a version of the pistol. Kalashnikov also does not intend to keep up with global trends. "To meet the entire spectrum of the potential market, such a version is necessary," Urzhumtsev said.
In addition, the concern will develop a subcompact submachine gun to replace the legendary Stechkin pistol. According to Urzhumtsev, the new model will use the technologies of the latest Lebedev pistol. Now Stechkin is out of production, and there are no analogues of this automatic pistol in Russia yet. Kalashnikov is ready to occupy this niche. According to the designer, the weapon being created will not be an improved copy of Stechkin. "This is more likely to be a category of a subcompact submachine gun," Urzhumtsev explained.
Now the technical requirements for the new model are being worked out. The developers find out the requirements of potential customers who are interested in such weapons.
Alexander Stepanov