The Kalashnikov Concern confirmed that their new RPK-16 light machine gun has been adopted by the Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia). In September, the Russian National Guard announced the purchase of a small number of new AK-200 carbines from the Kalashnikov Concern.
The Russian army tested RPK-16 earlier this year, announcing its adoption in February. The new RPK-16 can be configured with a longer barrel for use as a light machine gun or a shorter barrel for CQB operations (shown in the photo above). RPK-16 can be feed by both standard 5.45x39mm magazines as well as drum magazines with a capacity of 95 rounds.
RPK-16 is equipped with a four-position telescopic stock which can also be folded to the left side. A Picatinny rail on the receiver cover is rigidly mounted in two places and provides a stable platform for mounting optics. The front is also equipped with Picatinny rails.
At the moment, Rosgvardia is equipped with RPK-74s and there is still no information about how many new RPK-16 will be purchased by it or the regular Russian army.
Source: thefirearmblog.com
