Small arms news

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.

The XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025 will start in Minsk on May 21. Ahead of the meeting, Alexander Mikheev, head of Rosoboronexport, told TASS in an interview which Russian samples were presented at the exhibition and which products might be of interest to Belarusian partners in the first place, as well as what expectations the special exporting company has with the new Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system.

BI: The era of the American MQ-9 Reaper drone has passed

The era of the American MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance and attack drones is coming to an end. These UAVs are vulnerable even to outdated air defense systems, writes Business Insider. Why the reign of the "Reapers" has come to an end, which drones will replace them and what does Russia's special military operation in Ukraine have to do with it - in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.

The other day, the American companies Colt and Northrop Grumman showed a "high-precision grenade launcher system" (PGS) during a shooting demonstration. Previously, he was only caught on camera at gun shows.

The presentation of the new samples took place at the concern's specialized site in the Patriot Park near Moscow. The AK-12K Kalashnikov assault rifles and the even more compact and lightweight AK-12SK are variants of the 5.45 mm combined arms AK—12, but with a shortened barrel. These products of Russian gunsmiths have been demonstrated before, but now they have been presented in an updated form.

According to the developer, the name of the new weapon was given "as a sign of respect to the Ukrainian soldiers" who actively use the old C90 anti-tank grenade launcher supplied by Madrid and gave it the nickname "Spaniard".

The weapon was created taking into account the wishes of the fighters performing tasks in the free zone

This year, assault units and paratroopers will receive a shortened version of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, the AK—12K. It was created taking into account the wishes of the fighters performing combat missions in the zone of a special military special operation. Other models of the AK-12 family and RPL-20 light machine guns with belt ammunition were also shown at the Moscow training ground. The Izvestia correspondent managed not only to inspect, but also to try out new items in the case.

The German concern Rheinmetall has introduced a new version of the promising 40mm automatic grenade launcher SSW40 with magazine feed. The weapon has a relatively small mass: with one round of ammunition in the chamber and a three-grenade magazine inserted, it weighs about 6 kg. This is quite an acceptable weight for infantry units, and therefore the developer assumes that the SSW40 will be widely used in the military, at the squad level, displacing traditional machine-tool counterparts.

There is a wide range of possible applications for mobile robotic platforms that move due to foot-shaped supports. For example, many countries are working on military-grade robotic systems.

The intensive UAV defense course gives fighters skills and confidence in a real-world environment

The fighters of the Center group are undergoing a three-day intensive UAV defense course. There they practice different ways of shooting from moving cars. The Izvestia correspondent, along with the fighters, tried to drive an SUV along the training track, fired 360 degrees and found out what difficulties our servicemen had to face.

How can NATO effectively deal with this upgraded air defense system?

Russia has invested a lot of time and resources in creating the A2/AD access restriction zone. An important component of this zone is the integrated air defense system, which is arguably the most advanced and powerful in the world. Its advantages are range, accuracy and mobility. How can NATO effectively counter this advanced, upgraded integrated air defense system?