During the Russian Army 2021 exhibition (forum) held on August 22-28, 2021, the Kalashnikov company has presented the latest version of the 9x19mm PPK-20 submachine gun intended for aircraft and armored vehicle crews and special forces operators.
The submachine gun was designed as part of the Vityaz-MO project. The weapon has successfully passed tests, including those that confirmed that it can be transported in ejected pilot seats. The PPK-20 is currently waiting for the decision of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation regarding its possible introduction into service.
Compared to the previous version, the SMG has been significantly modified to increase the modularity and decrease the size of the weapon - with the stock folded it is only 41 cm long and fits in a standard EDC backpack.
And so on the gun we find picatinny rails (on the cover of the receiver, the gas tube and at the bottom of the handguard) and M-Lok slots (on the sides of the handguard) for installing optics and other accessories. The weapon also received a new type of iron sights with a rear sight closer to the shooter's eye.
The PPK-20 has also received a right-folded, adjustable stock with a QD suspension system mounting socket on the left side. Watching the presentation of Kalashnikov, we have also learnt that the weapon is to be equipped with a silencer, also with a quick release system (QD).
The fire safety/selector switch has also been redesigned, which can now also be used on the left side of the weapon, somewhat similar to the AR15 platform.
According to the manufacturer's assurances, the weapon can use a wide range of 9x19mm ammunition, including the 7N21 cartridge with a steel core, which can penetrate the the Level 3A (NIJ) standard ballistic plate.
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Sources: kalashnikov.media, cctvplus.com
