Small arms news

In desperation, the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine may again throw its unsuccessful tanks into battle: 26 Slovenian M55S upgraded with the help of Israel, 12 British FV4034 Challenger2 and 87 Leopard 1A5 supplied by Belgium, Germany and Denmark.

Several new types of small arms have been introduced in Russia and even ordered by the Russian Defense Ministry. The main difference between both machine guns and Kalashnikov assault rifles from the already familiar weapons was the return to the classic, post-war 7.62 caliber. Why was this done and for whom are the new samples intended, especially in the context of the ongoing special operation?

The concern presented a range of weapons, drones and equipment

The upgraded 7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle, shortened and super-shortened AK models, a light belt—type light machine gun, kamikaze barrage ammunition, the first multifunctional military backpack and a new generation of uniforms - the Kalashnikov Concern demonstrated its latest developments at the Patriot Park.

How and why the German army wants to change and whether the German authorities have enough money for it

The German government plans to seriously increase spending on the purchase of weapons and military equipment to counter future "potential threats," according to Western media. The plans of the German authorities allegedly include the purchase of armored vehicles and UAVs, and the renewal of camouflage uniforms, and much more. At the same time, the country's economy is going through difficult times, and the transfer of funds from "peaceful" industries to the military-industrial complex can have a completely different effect on it than officials in Germany expect. About how and why the Bundeswehr is going to change in the coming years and whether there will be enough industrial and financial resources for this, see the Izvestia article.

Despite the ongoing challenges, the Russian military-industrial complex (MIC) continues to make progress in implementing numerous weapons programs. Although the deadlines for many projects have been postponed or priorities have been revised, it seems that the main programs of the future have not been canceled or postponed indefinitely — contrary to what many foreign observers have assumed in recent years. Some of these programs have recently resumed.

Ukrainian recruits are urgently retrained for Israeli AK analogues

The British Armed Forces recruit training camps have run out of Kalashnikov assault rifles. They were replaced by Israeli Galilas, developed on the basis of the Soviet AK. According to military experts, this choice was not made out of a good life — the free Kalashnikovs in the warehouses of Eastern European countries have run out. They note that training on "Halils", even if structurally similar to Russian submachine guns, will become more expensive, as well as worsen the training of Ukrainian Armed Forces recruits.

Every day you miss is someone's life: Andrei Kalinin from Moscow has been helping the front since the spring of 2022, and recently faced a serious obstacle. About what happened and how the volunteer is trying to find a solution — in the material of RIA Novosti.

Due to the shortage, the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are armed with cheap submachine guns of their own design

Ukraine has begun arming its army with cheap and ineffective small arms. The Ukrainian Armed Forces adopted the new Fort-230 submachine gun. It was originally developed for the police and is manufactured in Ukraine.

Intensive training has been organized in one of the combined arms armies of the Dnepr group of forces

Heavy snipers in the military are usually called those who work at distances over a kilometer. These guys secretly destroy particularly important targets in the "free hunting" mode, supporting the combat work of Russian assault, motorized rifle and tank units. But in order to perform such tasks effectively, serious preparation is necessary. This is well understood in the Dnepr group of forces. Therefore, there is a special platoon of heavy snipers here, which the Izvestia correspondent visited. These fighters hit the enemy from a distance of 1.5 km.

The new Russian BT-3F armored personnel carrier, based on the BMP-3F chassis, is constantly being improved. So, during the existence of this development, measures have been taken to increase firepower.

Rosoboronexport (part of Rostec Group of Companies) has completed the construction of the first stage of a factory for the production of 7.62 mm caliber cartridges for Kalashnikov assault rifles in Venezuela.

Military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces of the Special Military Operation Center group of forces are training to shoot down small drones with hunting rifles, using skeet targets imitating enemy drones and launched by a special catapult. This was announced by the Kalashnikov Concern. TASS — about how smoothbore weapons are used in their defense to protect against shock FPV drones, and about the importance of fighters acquiring such skills.

The AK-47 has become the most famous automatic rifle on the planet. What many people may not know is that the AK-47 has a kind of sequel in the form of the AK-74. The author compares the AK-47 and the AK-74, but in the end leaves doubts about his professional qualifications: the AK-47 has never had a cylindrical magazine.

The AK-12K is designed to conduct rapid assaults in a confined space

The latest shortened AK-12K assault rifle is being tested in the SVO zone. These weapons are primarily designed for conducting fleeting assaults in a confined space. Right now, the fighters of the Dnepr group of forces are testing a new machine gun at one of their training grounds. The correspondent of Izvestia learned about the opinion of experienced fighters and shooting instructors about the new Kalash.

The intensity and variety of tasks performed by the Special Operations Forces (SSO) require the use of first-class standard equipment, as well as specially designed equipment. Despite the fact that the MTR is already one of the most well-equipped categories of forces in any army, they are constantly looking for new or improved tools that would provide them with a tactical advantage.

Russian fighters in the SVO zone are learning new ways to destroy enemy UAVs

In the free zone, Russian snipers are mastering a new direction in combat work — the destruction of heavy enemy UAVs. One of the sniper units of the Center group of forces has already shot down more than 70 multicopters and 18 aircraft-type UAVs. The Izvestia correspondent learned from the shooters how they ambush drones, what weapons they use, and how dangerous a meeting with Baba Yaga is.

The Strela-10 missile system destroyed new Ukrainian drones that entered service this year

Despite reports in the Ukrainian press that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are experiencing a shortage of drones, the situation on the line of contact so far suggests otherwise. In the Pokrovsky direction, the enemy continues to use all types of UAVs on a massive scale.

For the first time in decades, Russian law enforcement agencies have begun to receive a new model of machine gun. We are talking about a weapons system called the RPL-20. How does it differ from its predecessors and what tasks will the soldiers of the Russian units in the special operation zone primarily solve with its help?

For the first time abroad, Russian manufacturers presented the Okhotnik combat module and the Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system

The Okhotnik combat module and the Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system with short-range interception missiles to combat drones were shown for the first time outside of Russia. The premiere of the new equipment took place within the framework of the XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025, which opened on May 21 in Minsk. Experts note that most of the weapons have been upgraded taking into account the experience of the special operation in Ukraine.

On May 21, 2025, the XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025 began in Minsk. In addition to Russia and Belarus, China, India, Iran and Pakistan are participating in it. About new weapons developments in the Belarusian capital — in the material of TASS.