During the visit, President Lukashenko announced that the small arms had already entered Belarusian service. He called for their “continuous improvement and modernization.” Following his inspection of the facility, the company’s management presented the president with a WSK-100B assault rifle.
During Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s first official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a gift exchange ceremony was held. Among the gifts presented by the Belarusian president to North Korean Chairman of State Affairs Kim Jong Un, one was particularly notable. The North Korean leader received a WSK-100B assault rifle—the first small-arms model to be produced entirely in Belarus / Photo: BELTA
According to BELTA, work on the development of small arms and ammunition in Belarus has been under way since 2018. The first weapon to enter production was the WSK-100 series assault rifle chambered for 7.62×39 mm ammunition, which entered service in early 2021. Its manufacturer, Kidma Tech Joint Stock Company, has already developed five small-arms models and six modifications, four of which have entered service. At the end of 2023, in accordance with a decree by the President of Belarus, construction began on a fully modern facility for serial production of small arms. Extensive design and reconstruction work was carried out on existing buildings and structures, while power infrastructure was replaced and upgraded to accommodate the necessary equipment. Technologies were acquired and specialists trained.
Work on a fully domestically produced version of the 7.62 mm WSK-100B assault rifle is now in its final stage.
WSK-100 assault rifle and its tactical and technical specifications / Photo: REFORM.news
According to BELTA, the WSK-100B assault rifle is a promising weapon design based on a system similar to the Russian AK family. It can be fitted with optical and electro-optical sights as well as additional equipment, including bipods, suppressors, an underbarrel grenade launcher and bayonet. It features a folding telescopic stock, a pistol grip with an integrated storage compartment, and consists of 141 parts. A reinforced barrel and receiver are said to improve durability, accuracy and firepower compared with similar small arms. In addition, an auxiliary mounting element allows the WSK-100B to be used in light machine gun and designated marksman configurations.
In addition to the WSK-100B assault rifle, production of other small arms is also planned, including the Stiletto precision bolt-action rifle, the PP-919 submachine gun and the PKM machine gun.
WSK-100 WR assault rifle and its tactical and technical specifications / Photo: REFORM.news
As a result, Belarus has effectively built up its small-arms production capability from scratch. According to the report prepared by BELTA, implementation of these projects is expected to provide full technological independence in this segment in the medium term.
Interestingly, the company has not yet managed to update its portfolio with information on its current small-arms production, despite having already developed more than a dozen designs, as indicated by available press reports. During his first official visit to North Korea in March this year, the Belarusian president, much like the management of Kidma Tech JSC, presented the Korean leader with a WSK-100B assault rifle—the first small-arms model to be produced entirely in Belarus. The moment was documented by photographers present at the event for both Korean and Belarusian audiences.
