Lukashenko to inspect development of small arms production in Belarus

The head of state will visit a production facility of the Kidma Tech company, where he will inspect the country’s own fully localized mass production of small arms. Previously, no such manufacturing existed in Belarus. The facility currently produces the first Belarusian model of combat small arms – the VSK-100B assault rifle.

Kidma Tech is a research and development company, affiliated with the State Authority for Military Industry. It focuses on the R&D, production, and sale of high-tech dual-use products, encompassing small arms, optical surveillance systems, body armor, and robotics.

Belarus launched its initiative to develop domestic manufacturing of small arms and related ammunition in 2018. This led to the creation of the VSK-100 series 7.62x39mm assault rifle, marking the first domestic weapon to enter service in early 2021. Production of the rifle originally kicked off in January 2020 utilizing semi-knocked-down assembly.

Kidma Tech has designed 5 models and 6 variants of combat small arms so far, with 4 models already entering service.

In late 2023, a presidential decree launched a project to set up a proprietary, fully localized serial production line for small arms in Belarus. This was followed by large-scale efforts to redesign and renovate existing facilities, completely upgrading engineering infrastructure to accommodate the required manufacturing equipment. The project also involved purchasing machinery, acquiring technologies, and training personnel.

Work on developing a fully localized version of the VSK-100B 7.62mm assault rifle, the country’s first domestic combat small arms model, is nearing completion.

Chambered for 7.62x39mm, the VSK-100B assault rifle is an advanced weapon utilizing an AK-based design. It supports the installation of optical and electro-optical targeting systems along with auxiliary equipment, including bipods, silencers, under-barrel grenade launchers, and knife bayonets. The design incorporates a folding adjustable stock, a storage-integrated grip, and comprises 141 individual parts.

The integration of a reinforced barrel and receiver into the VSK-100B design increases barrel durability and enhances both accuracy and shot grouping over comparable small arms. Additionally, the option for auxiliary attachments enables the assault rifle to dual-role as a light machine gun and a sniper rifle.

Beyond the VSK-100B assault rifle, the facility’s future production line is set to include the Stylet-type high-precision bolt-action rifle, the PP-919 submachine gun, and a PKM-type machine gun.

Consequently, a domestic small arms manufacturing industry has been built in Belarus virtually from the ground up. Delivering on these projects will enable the country to reach complete technological self-sufficiency in the small arms production sector over the medium term.