"Wide range of applications": what are the advantages of the new Kalashnikov submachine gun PPK-20

The Russian arms concern Kalashnikov has begun serial deliveries of the PPK-20 submachine gun, said the head of the group of companies Alan Lushnikov on the sidelines of the IDEX 2023 international exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

“Currently, work is underway to adopt the PPK-20 into service and at the same time serial deliveries are being carried out in the interests of the customer,” TASS quoted him as saying.

According to Lushnikov, an important feature of the PPK-20 is the ability to fire in automatic and single modes using a quick-detachable low-noise and flameless fire device.

This submachine gun has an original trigger mechanism with a double-sided safety switch that allows you to switch modes on both sides of the weapon.

In addition, the PPK-20 is equipped with a diopter sight and a telescopic buttstock made of shock-resistant polymer, which folds onto the right side of the receiver.

PPK-20 became one of the samples of Russian small arms presented at the IDEX 2023 exhibition. In this regard, in a press release from Kalashnikov, it was reported the day before that the concern had already begun to fulfill export contracts for the supply of a submachine gun.

"For self-defense in emergency situations"

As noted on the concern's website, the 9-mm PPK-20 is named after Viktor Kalashnikov, under whose leadership the PP-19-01 Vityaz-SN submachine gun was created.

It was he who was taken as the basis for the development of new weapons.

In turn, "Vityaz-SN" was created in the 2000s on the basis of the PP-19 "Bizon" specifically for the special forces detachment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation "Vityaz".

It was adopted by special units in 2005.

• "Vityaz-SN"

• © Rosoboronexport

According to Alexander Butyrin, columnist for the Firing Line magazine, this submachine gun has managed to prove itself well over the years of use.

The Vityaz-SN has proven itself well: it was and still is in service with the Russian Guard and meets all the requirements of a modern submachine gun.

It has comfortable ergonomics, a fairly large magazine, and powerful ammunition.

In addition, it provides for the possibility of using several types of ammunition, ”the analyst said in an interview with RT.

The developers state that PPK-20 has a number of important advantages compared to its predecessors.

In particular, the new submachine gun is smaller in weight and dimensions, has a double-sided fuse translator, and is equipped with a standard low-noise and flameless firing device.

As noted in the materials of Kalashnikov, the possibilities of adapting weapons to various scenarios of use have been significantly expanded, it is possible to install various sights and sighting systems, as well as to accommodate a variety of attachments.

The use of a pistol cartridge in the PPK-20 made it possible to abandon the gas venting scheme and use simple and reliable automatic blowback, the concern emphasizes.

The main type of ammunition for this submachine gun is the 7N21 high-impulse armor-piercing cartridge.

At the same time, the PPK-20 can also use most other 9 × 19 mm cartridges of domestic and foreign production.

To mount optical sights on the PPK-20, a Picatinny rail is used, located on the receiver cover.

To install other accessories, the submachine gun is equipped with Picatinny rails on the bottom and top of the forearm and an M-Lok interface on the sides of the weapon.

The weight of the PPK-20 with an empty magazine is 2.7 kg.

The store is designed for 30 rounds.

The rate of fire of the submachine gun reaches 800 rounds per minute, and the aiming range is 200 m.

In early reports on the development of the PPK-20, it was noted that this weapon was intended, among other things, for the pilots of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

It was reported that the submachine gun was adapted to a portable emergency supply and can be used in the cockpit.

According to military observer retired colonel Viktor Litovkin, such weapons can be useful to pilots in emergency situations when their plane crashes over enemy territory.

“A pilot needs a machine gun for self-defense in emergency situations, when he is shot down and he will shoot back from enemies who will pursue him and attack him on the ground.

That is why it is included in the arsenal of the means of defense and protection that the pilot has, ”the expert said in a conversation with RT.

In turn, retired Major General Vladimir Popov, Honored Military Pilot of the Russian Federation, noted that the personal weapons of pilots must meet a number of requirements.

“Firstly, it is important that such a submachine gun is comfortable to use with one hand.

It is also necessary that the stock of ammunition be at the level of the ammunition of Kalashnikov assault rifles - 30 rounds.

Such weapons are stored in an emergency stock, which is located in the ejection seat or in the parachute system.

Sometimes it is worn directly with unloading, so the developers need to make the machine both light, compact and at the same time convenient to use.

The weapon must be silent enough and equipped with a flash suppressor so that it is more difficult to track it at dusk and at night, ”the source said.

The Kalashnikov concern notes that the PPK-20 can be used by various law enforcement agencies.

“The successful design of the new submachine gun makes it universal for use by representatives of any law enforcement agencies in need of a small-sized automatic weapon.

The flight personnel of the airborne forces, crews and crews of military equipment, police and special forces - for all these categories, the PPK-20 will become an effective tool for solving various problems, ”the press service of the group of companies stated.

They also noted that the new submachine gun is of interest in the PDW niche (personal self-defense weapon) for various support units and as an effective weapon for special forces units performing tasks in crowded conditions, in urban areas, buildings or transport.

• Submachine gun PPK-20 at the exhibition of weapons of the International military-technical forum "Army-2021"

• RIA News

• © Ramil Sitdikov

"Modern and technological weapons"

PPK-20 was first presented to the public at the Army-2020 forum.

Subsequently, the submachine gun successfully passed state tests and confirmed its compliance with modern requirements for weapons of this class.

“We believe that this is the best submachine gun in the world for the next 20 years,” said Alan Lushnikov in August 2022.

It is worth noting that the PPK-20 is already entering the troops and is being used during a special operation in Ukraine.

According to Lushnikov, the specialists of the Kalashnikov concern are studying the combat experience of using weapons.

“We constantly receive feedback from our military who take part in the NWO.

And this is precisely the task that the president sets before us.

In our concern, such feedback has been established with the military, and based on feedback on combat use, we are constantly making changes to our products ... And according to our new products, which are already being delivered to the NVO zone, this is a Chukavin sniper rifle (SHF) and a pistol - Kalashnikov machine gun (PPK-20), - feedback is also carefully studied and taken into account, ”he said at the end of December 2022.

According to Alexander Butyrin, the new submachine gun will be in demand in many law enforcement agencies.

“Given the characteristics of the PPK-20, it could be used, among other things, in various special units, such as the National Guard, the FSB Special Purpose Center, and the FSO.

PPK-20 has a fairly wide range of applications, the expert said.

- Although in the first place it will be used to equip pilots of the Russian Aerospace Forces, since the previously used AKS-74U and the Stechkin pistol are already obsolete.

These models are good in their characteristics, but time is moving forward, more modern and technologically advanced weapons are needed.”