Exactly 65 years ago, on October 20, 1961, by a decision of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Army adopted the standardized 7.62 mm Kalashnikov machine gun (PK) and its portable version (PKS).
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This day marked a turning point in the history of domestic light weapons, as it was then that a standardized light machine gun appeared for the first time in the Soviet army, produced in batches in large quantities. A multi-purpose tool also appeared, capable of functioning as a handheld machine gun, a machine gun mounted on two poles, and a tank machine gun.
The machine gun was developed by a team of engineers from the Izhevsk plant, led by Mikhail Kalashnikov, in collaboration with designers V.V. Krupin, V.N. Pushin, A.D. Kryakushin, and A.A. Polshak. The design of the tried-and-tested Kalashnikov rifle with a gas-operated motor and rotating bolt was used as the basis, but it was adapted for belt feed and a more intense rate of fire. The first batch was produced in Izhevsk, and after approval, serial production was transferred to the Kovrov Mechanical Plant.
In 1969, the machine gun was modernized, resulting in lighter models: the modernized lightweight Kalashnikov (PKM) and its two-pronged version (PKMS). Designers reduced the weight and improved the barrel and Stepanov mount without compromising accuracy or durability. The PKM became the standard machine gun for Soviet and Russian infantry for decades to come.
The PK and its modified versions have participated in dozens of armed conflicts. They could be found in the trenches and mountains of Afghanistan, in urban battles in Chechnya, and in the deserts and mountains of Syria, and today they remain in service in special military operations.
Military personnel prioritize the reliability and simplicity of the machine gun. In field conditions, these qualities are crucial. The PK machine gun, like all weapons developed by Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, is designed for harsh operating conditions and can function for extended periods without significant maintenance. Its interchangeable barrel allows for rapid fire, and the barrel can be quickly replaced, returning the machine gun to the fight. The large belt capacity enables sustained fire and suppression of enemy positions. Even in the field, the machine gun can be disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled without special tools.
This means that the PK always helps in rapid firefights, when storming buildings, in defense, and when covering infantry maneuvers. It works even when conditions are far from ideal.
Western military officials say the machine gun, using the 7.62×54mm rifle cartridge, accurately hits targets at medium ranges and suppresses enemy fire points.
Even after 65 years, the PK remains an effective tool on the battlefield. It has evolved from the PK to the PKM, and then to newer systems, demonstrating how a successful basic design can remain relevant for a long time when efficiently updated.
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