According to media reports, the RPK-16 rifle, caliber 5.45 × 39 mm, which was to be the successor of the RPK-74 in the Russian army, did not successfully pass state tests.

Modifications suggested by the soldiers would force too extensive and costly changes of the weapon, so it was decided to reject the design and start work on another model, which was presented not so long ago by the company during the Army-2020 exhibition near Moscow. We are talking about the RPL-20 rifle, caliber 5.45 × 39 mm.

After even a brief analysis of the design, it can be safely stated that the caliber of the ammunition is probably the only feature is identical to the RPK-16 and the RPL-20. The new RPL-20 is fed a new design of a non-disintegrating ammunition belt and, like in the PK/PKM machine guns, it is fed into the right side of the rifle, and used cartridges are ejected to the left. The tape is fed from 100-round material magazines.

The RPL-20 is equipped with a quick-change barrel, available in two lengths. The side-folding and extendable stock has an adjustable cheek rest and is based on the new stock design seen in the AK-19 and the updated AK-12 rifles. The pistol grip with an integrated trigger guard also looks identical to the updated AK-12.

The new LKM also features an ambidextrous safety/selector, a dust cover for the shell ejection port, a folding front sight, upper and lower Picatinny rails, M-LOK slots on the stock, and a Picatinny rail mounted transport handle. The total weight of the RPL-20 is 5.2 kg or 5.5 kg depending on the barrel length.

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Sources: modernfirearms.net , popularairsoft.com , en24news.com , israeldefense.co.il  kalashnikovgroup.ru