All firearms in this batch were delivered in Multicam camouflage, which is considered less conspicuous in various terrain conditions, according to the company’s management. The RPL-20 is a modern Russian belt-fed light machine gun, developed at the Kalashnikov Concern’s design and technology center. During a weapons demonstration in war-affected, Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, Kalashnikov specialists presented the new product to Russian soldiers (Russian VDV assault units switch to shortened AK-12K rifle).
5.45 mm RPL-20 Light Machine Gun / Photo: Kalashnikov Concern
According to information shared on a Telegram channel, the Kalashnikov Joint-Stock Company Concern has delivered the first serial batch of 5.45 mm belt-fed RPL-20 light machine guns to the end user under a 2025 government contract.
It is worth noting that soldiers equipped with Multicam camouflage and a matching-colored machine gun benefit from a high level of concealment across various types of terrain and engagement distances.
The RPL-20 machine gun is capable of saturating a wide area with dense fire thanks to its use of a 100-round (or 200-round) belt. Its design and mounting system allow for rapid barrel changes and firing from the rear position of the bolt carrier group, which extends the weapon’s sustained fire capability in full-auto mode. The machine gun is designed in two variants: one with a 590 mm barrel (for general military units) and another with a 415 mm barrel (for assault units) (First Use of the AMB-17 Special Rifle in the War in Ukraine, Chukavin Rifle Gets A New Telescopic Sight).
