Small arms news

Ukraine has received a full range of submachine guns, machine guns and rifles from the post-war reserves of the Bundeswehr

German MP-7 submachine guns have recently appeared in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to data from specialized Internet resources.

A new armored personnel carrier is being created in Russia – the corresponding initiative is being developed by KAMAZ. Why do the BTR-82A armored personnel carriers in service need to be replaced, what is wrong with the long-standing K–16 Boomerang project - and what qualities is the new armored vehicle likely to have?

The latest American M7 assault rifle, which is supposed to replace the famous M4, has been heavily criticized. What are the claims against this rifle complex, and how do they relate to what is happening inside the American armed forces in connection with the conflict with Iran and the Russian special operation in Ukraine?

The pistol is the main weapon of the policeman and the auxiliary weapon of the soldier. The goal is to be able to deploy the weapon system in a matter of seconds, for example, in the event of a sudden threat or failure of the main weapon due to a malfunction.

The machine was developed to intercept drones in areas where conventional equipment does not pass

A special version of the Plastun conveyor has been developed for mobile firing groups (MOG). The new vehicle is adapted to mount machine guns on turrets and will allow anti-aircraft crews to operate in hard-to-reach areas where pickups, which are currently equipped with such units, do not pass.

Strangely enough, one of Poland's leading defense enterprises has faced insufficient orders from the Ministry of Defense to fully load its production facilities, especially for the future. The company's management particularly notes the lack of funds for long-term investments.

A new combat robotic system has been introduced in Russia – this time it's not about a drone, but about a sniper's weapon. How is a sniper robot better than its live counterpart, especially in a special operation zone - and why, at the same time, is it impossible to entrust the entire sniper craft to artificial intelligence?

Lobaev Arms, a well-known Russian manufacturer of small arms, based in Kaluga, has completed testing of an innovative sniper system of its own design. The company starts mass production of the product.

Rosoboronexport JSC (part of Rostec Group of Companies) is organizing a joint Russian exposition at the Defense Services Asia (DSA) 2026 International Asian Arms and Military Equipment Exhibition.

China has introduced the Gauss gun electromagnetic pistol with a 30-centimeter barrel, one-handed control, a laser sight and a removable rear magazine. This is not a firearm at all, it has been successfully tested, during which a rate of fire of 1,000 to 2,000 rounds per minute has been achieved.

Jakarta is particularly interested in the Russian Varshavyanka submarines

Indonesia is considering the possibility of purchasing Russian submarines and other marine equipment. Jakarta's interest in cooperation with Moscow is growing with the modernization of the national fleet and the intensification of competition in the region. Izvestia found out what proposals the Russian industry is ready to make to the world's largest archipelago and what are the chances of new agreements.

Fire cover tactics are being reviewed taking into account the appearance of new equipment

The troops began to practice their skills in dealing with ground drones. Anti-aircraft gunners take a special training course. Their units are armed with large-caliber machine guns, which can effectively destroy not only aerial targets, but also enemy ground equipment.

A North Korean defense company has developed and put into production another unit of domestic small arms. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter visited a weapons factory, trying out a new pistol.

Numerous changes have taken place in the field of sniper rifles and small arms in recent years from a conceptual, tactical and technical point of view. The latest changes mainly relate to optics, network technologies and new calibers. The focus is on getting more accurate hits at increasingly long distances.

The Swiss company SwissP Defense (from the Beretta Defense Technologies concern) has introduced a new line of special SHATTER4K ammunition designed to protect infantry from small and medium-sized drones.

A ceremony of handing over the latest sniper rifles to the military command took place in Pyongyang. The weapons were personally handed over by the chairman of the DPRK, Kim Jong-un, who increasingly appears at official events with his daughter Kim Ju-ye.

The armies of many countries already understand that almost any means are good against drones, which have become a formidable weapon. Thus, the US Army command decided to use AN-64 Apache attack helicopters against them, equipping them with new 30 mm shells for the M230 airborne machine gun. Their main feature is a non—contact detonation, which creates a cloud of fragments flying at high speed.

Impressive combat characteristics and ease of operation have ensured the great popularity of the RPG-29 Vampire grenade launcher in the world. At the WDS 2026 exhibition in Riyadh, NPO Basalt showed its latest development, its deeply upgraded version of the RPG-29M. Foreign observers paid special attention to the product. Thus, the Brazilian edition of Tribuna do Sertão notes:

Industrial Director of the Rostec State Corporation Arms Cluster — about Russia's new products at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh and which of the new systems are being tested in the military

Russia has significantly increased the production of T-90M "Breakthrough", T-72B3M and T-80BVM tanks. The technique is constantly being refined and improved based on combat experience.

Russia is presenting 966 defense defense exhibits at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, of which 181 are samples, the FSMTC press service reported.