New Russian small arms displayed at IDEX 2021 exhibition
Among the weapons were the Lebedev PLK compact pistol and the Kord 6P68 assault rifle
Eyal Boguslavsky
| 28/02/2021
Photo: Rosoboronexport
Russia exhibited various small arms made by its military industry at the IDEX 2021 exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Rosoboronexport, a subsidiary of Rostec State Corporation, presented its newest assault rifle, the 7.62 mm Kord 6P68, while the Kalashnikov Group, also a subsidiary of Rostec, unveiled its Lebedev PLK compact pistol.
According to the EDR On-Line website, the Kord 6P68 is based on balanced-action mechanics that provides enhanced accuracy when firing in automatic mode. The firearm has received an ergonomic pistol grip, upper and side-mounted Picatinny rails, and extendable buttstock with rotating backplate. Unlike traditional Russian-designed firearms, the Kord 6P68 features an ambidextrous fire selector. It is fed by standard 30-round magazines made of black polymer. The new assault rifle is compatible with all red dot/optical/reflex sights with Picatinny cradles, as well as tactical flashlights and laser pointers. A suppressor can replace the muzzle device, the report said.
Two variants of the Kord assault rifle are available, 6P67 and 6P68, the caliber being the primary difference: the 6P67 is chambered for 5.45x39 cartridges, while the 6P68 fires 7.62x39 ammunition. Traditional 30-round Kalashnikov magazines can feed the two variants. According to Rosoboronexport, both firearms weigh 3.5kg without ammo and are 940mm long with extended buttstock, and 730mm long with folded buttstock. The Kord 6P67 and 6P68 are accurate at a distance of up to 800 meters, according to the website.
The Kord 6P68 is said to be intended for Special Forces and trained units that have above-average skills with small arms, but it can also serve as an assault rifle for regular forces.
Regarding the PLK pistol, EDR On-Line said it is a striker-fired weapon that is built on an aluminum slide and features ambidextrous firing controls, including bolt catch, safety, and magazine release button. Unlike the Makarov PM pistol that fires 9x18mm ammunition, the Lebedev sidearm is chambered for 9x19 Parabellum cartridges. Fitted with an ergonomic grip, the PLK pistol is 180 mm long and has a 92 mm barrel. The firearm is fed by a 14-round metal dual-column magazine with clear windows, allowing a shooter to control ammunition consumption. The Lebedev pistol weighs 0.71 kg with an empty magazine. The lower part of the pistol slide is equipped with a Picatinny rail for tactical flashlights and target designators, the report said.
Among the weapons were the Lebedev PLK compact pistol and the Kord 6P68 assault rifle
Photo: Rosoboronexport
Russia exhibited various small arms made by its military industry at the IDEX 2021 exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Rosoboronexport, a subsidiary of Rostec State Corporation, presented its newest assault rifle, the 7.62 mm Kord 6P68, while the Kalashnikov Group, also a subsidiary of Rostec, unveiled its Lebedev PLK compact pistol.
According to the EDR On-Line website, the Kord 6P68 is based on balanced-action mechanics that provides enhanced accuracy when firing in automatic mode. The firearm has received an ergonomic pistol grip, upper and side-mounted Picatinny rails, and extendable buttstock with rotating backplate. Unlike traditional Russian-designed firearms, the Kord 6P68 features an ambidextrous fire selector. It is fed by standard 30-round magazines made of black polymer. The new assault rifle is compatible with all red dot/optical/reflex sights with Picatinny cradles, as well as tactical flashlights and laser pointers. A suppressor can replace the muzzle device, the report said.
Two variants of the Kord assault rifle are available, 6P67 and 6P68, the caliber being the primary difference: the 6P67 is chambered for 5.45x39 cartridges, while the 6P68 fires 7.62x39 ammunition. Traditional 30-round Kalashnikov magazines can feed the two variants. According to Rosoboronexport, both firearms weigh 3.5kg without ammo and are 940mm long with extended buttstock, and 730mm long with folded buttstock. The Kord 6P67 and 6P68 are accurate at a distance of up to 800 meters, according to the website.
The Kord 6P68 is said to be intended for Special Forces and trained units that have above-average skills with small arms, but it can also serve as an assault rifle for regular forces.
Regarding the PLK pistol, EDR On-Line said it is a striker-fired weapon that is built on an aluminum slide and features ambidextrous firing controls, including bolt catch, safety, and magazine release button. Unlike the Makarov PM pistol that fires 9x18mm ammunition, the Lebedev sidearm is chambered for 9x19 Parabellum cartridges. Fitted with an ergonomic grip, the PLK pistol is 180 mm long and has a 92 mm barrel. The firearm is fed by a 14-round metal dual-column magazine with clear windows, allowing a shooter to control ammunition consumption. The Lebedev pistol weighs 0.71 kg with an empty magazine. The lower part of the pistol slide is equipped with a Picatinny rail for tactical flashlights and target designators, the report said.
