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Russian defence manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern has announced it will showcase a 7.62mm RPL-7 belt-fed light machine gun and KUB-SM guided munitions reconnaissance and strike system at the IDEX 2025 international defence exhibition next month.
The new systems will be shown in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 17 to 21 February. The expo features more than 1,350 exhibitors from more than 65 countries to cover military equipment in land, sea and aerospace sectors of the global defence industry.
The ambidextrous 5.5-kilogram, 80-round RPL-7 machine gun is designed to engage enemy personnel and unarmoured vehicles using 7.62mm ammunition fitted with either regular steel core or tracer rounds. The company has also confirmed the RPL-7 can be fitted with a suppressor, sling, a removable bipod and a front handle, as well as ammunition belts and boxes.
Also debuting at the exhibition, Kalashnikov Concern will showcase the KUB-SM (super-manoeuvrable) reconnaissance and strike system fitted with guided munitions.
“The system consists of two main groups: 14 guided munitions in transport and launch containers and two UAV-R, drone-based reconnaissance relays, also in TLCs. Both types of drones are released using a launcher installed in an armoured vehicle. The drones are launched from the TLCs using gas dynamics,” the company said.
“The guided munition carriers a multi-factor warhead to engage targets. The UAV-R is responsible for reconnaissance and surveillance. It also transmits information from the GM to the ground control station and vice versa.
“The combat vehicle provides accommodation for the crew, one GM and UAV-R ammunition set and the necessary equipment for preparing and using the set. It also provides for their movement on the march, to a launch position and back.”
The system is designed for mobile operations and is able to engage unarmoured and lightly armoured vehicles, command posts of divisions, battalions, batteries and anti-aircraft missile systems, including vehicles with electronic warfare equipment and personnel wearing body armour, according to the company.
“It can also be used to attack air defence and anti-missile defence facilities, electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare systems such as ATM radars, counter-battery radars and ground moving target reconnaissance radars.
“Additionally, it can target rear support facilities, launch sites of enemy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems and enemy aircraft or helicopters located outside shelters at airfields.
“The KUB-SM system is designed to use highly manoeuvrable guided munitions effectively in combat. It can be used at any time of day, in both favourable and challenging weather conditions, including wind gusts up to 15 m/s.”
The KUB-2-E light and medium class guided loitering munition developed under a joint project between Kalashnikov Concern JSC and the Izhevsk Unmanned Systems Scientific Production Association will also be showcased at IDEX 2025.
“The KUB-2-E light class system is designed to engage enemy personnel down to individual soldiers and unarmoured military equipment,” Kalashnikov said.
“The GLMs are highly manoeuvrable and equipped with advanced optronic systems. These systems allow operators to accurately guide the munition to the target, even if it is on the move.
“Both munitions weigh over 10 kilograms. They can be used by day or night, in favourable or challenging weather, in smoky and dusty settings, with wind gusts near the ground of up to 15 metres per second, in areas with passive and active interference.”
