RPD: The 80-year-old light machine gun that can clear trenches seen in Ukraine
A light machine gun that was designed eight decades ago is turning up on the frontline in Ukraine.
The RPD can be used in the section support role but can also be operated by a single soldier to assault a position, including a trench.
It was designed back in 1943/44 but only made it into large-scale production in the Soviet Union in 1953.
Jonathan Ferguson, keeper of firearms at the Royal Armouries Museum, explains why this 80-year-old design might be a weapon of choice for Ukrainian soldiers, rather than one of necessity.
More: https://www.forcesnews.com/technology/weapons-and-kit/rpd-80-year-old-light-machine-gun-given-new-life-ukraine
#forcesnews #ukraine #russia #army #military #weapons #royalarmouries #jonathanferguson
Subscribe to Forces News: http://bit.ly/1OraazC
Check out our website: https://www.forcesnews.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForcesTV
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forcesnews/?hl=en
X: https://twitter.com/ForcesNews
25 comments
Assault machine gun ? that is weird term – if we call them non violence guns could they be sold to general public lol ? if used against russia – call it PEACE GUN !
Just wait until they rediscover ppsh41 smg. Trench broom at its finest.
It's a nice looking weapon
This is the weapon of choice because the Ukrainian Front is significantly short of machine guns. Not because the old stuff is special.
I have seen these cutdown in use by US sof in Vietnam
Weapon of choice ? Never seen a video featuring it in Ukraine
British say, “To Fire in Anger”.
In my opinion, the coolest looking gun ever made.
A belt box is also a magazine. Anything that holds ammo outside of the chamber on a weapon system is a magazine.
Ukraine troops poor. Begging begging weapons and vehicles. For free? Suggest white flags 🏳️
I love rpd
when you wanted to be Poland but ended up being Libya ….. west you are cowards.
Cope ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
Vietnam still produce them till today and it still main squad lmg , it interest how we ditch tul-1(vietnam rpk copy ) to switch back to producing the rpd
we are awake, semper fi, who wah ! we are awake ! God bless take care
Yeah where the weastern ammo west? 😂
Soviet era machine guns are so beautiful. It's like the Soviets were trying to seduce the enemies into its iron sights.
Just out of curiosity…., how can it be made in 1943, if cartridge 7.62×39 was introduced in 1945 ???…
Pkm is m60 of Russia
Rpd is m249 of Russia
We grunts often referred to it as the Rapid People Destroyer MG.
Look at all the Russian guns 😮😮😮😮
справа в тому, що всі 30-ть років в Україні препизденти і влада злочинців розграбовували і продовжуюють дограбовувати державу Україна. І нам доводиться воювати тим чим є, бо запаси, зброя, ракети, арта, танкі було розпродані в Африку і по світу злочинцями -казнокрадами препиздентами України усі 30 років. Дякую всім Людям планети , які допомагаюють ЗСУ зброєю і літаками!
So why is Ukraine losing so badly?
Leever
The avt 40 is more interesting to me
I like the way that MACV-SOG teams used the RPD. They would cut the barrel down, just in front of the gas block. It would make it a great short-range weapon for jungle combat.