The Russian SAW - The Kord 5.45 Light Assault Machine Gun

In December 2010, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs initiated the Tokar research and development program, followed by Tokar-2 in 2016, to create a 5.45mm light assault machine gun. This initiative was likely influenced by the capture of IWI Negev light machine guns from the Georgian Army during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. One of the primary requirements for the Tokar-2 was to integrate a dual or combined feed system that would utilize both a magazine and a belt. JSC "V.A. Degtyarev Plant" (ZID) developed the Kord 5.45 light machine gun.

The Tokar R&D machine gun had its first patents filed in 2011, with the initial prototypes emerging in 2013. However, in 2016, the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued new requirements for a 5.45mm light machine gun, codenamed Tokar 2. These updated requirements dropped the selective rates of fire but introduced a dual feed mechanism and the addition of a sound suppressor. The maximum empty weight requirement was also increased from 14.5 lbs. (6.5 kg) to 15.4 lbs. (7 kg). In 2017 ZiD presented the new Kord-5.45 light machine gun built to the Tokar-2 requirements.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has not expressed any interest in a 5.45mm machine gun as the 7.62x54mm rifle cartridge is fundamentally superior to the 5.45x39mm machine gun cartridge in terms of effective firing range and kinetic energy. This makes it impractical to consider 15.4 lbs. (7 kg) 5.45mm machine gun when there is a PKM machine gun at 16.5 lbs. (7.5 kg). However, if the program progresses further, the 5.45mm machine gun might still be an option for Russian law enforcement agencies such as the MVD and Rosgvardia National Guard. But now, this system could compete with the Kalashnikov Concern RPL-20 light machine gun.

The Gun

The Kord-5.45 Light Machine Gun is a long-stroke gas piston gun. It features a multi-lug rotating bolt for locking and fires fully automatic from an open bolt. Fully ambidextrous controls include the charging handle, which can be swapped from left to right.

The weapon has a quick barrel change feature with short and long barrels available. This is another new Russian trend to have configurable barrels instead of having two of the same barrels. This is not a big deal in this application, but this trend has gotten into some Russian military requirements. It is shown with very light-fluted profile barrels to meet the weight requirements. According to the 2011 patent, the bolt carrier assembly is very reminiscent of the IWI Negev bolt carrier assembly. This patent application was filed only one month after the MVD requested the Tokar project.

The Kord-5.45 features a dual-feed system, allowing it to accept AK-74-compatible magazines. This includes the ZID 60-round double-stack magazines explicitly developed for the program; the weapon comes with six magazines. The machine gun uses non-disintegrating, connectable 50-round belt segments and feeds with the brass to the grass, from left to right.

The belt box attaches to the magazine well and uses the magazine catch to secure the ammunition box. It can hold boxes of 100 or 250 rounds. The weapon features a nearly full-length feed tray cover assembly, which allows for the mounting of various optics. Given the size of the feed tray cover, it is likely that most reloads are performed by pulling the belt starter tab through the gun to load the ammunition and opening the feed tray cover left to clear malfunctions.

Thoughts and Conclusion

The necessity for a dual-feed light machine gun is debatable; while it offers unique features, it also adds complexity, cost, and weight for the user. A 5.45 light machine gun does not achieve the range and kinetic energy that a PKM provides, which should be regarded as the standard for a squad automatic weapon. However, the Kord 5.45 machine gun could benefit certain law enforcement agencies in Russia, where the need for overmatch is typically unnecessary. Currently, the system is limited to domestic sales in its existing configuration.

The Kord 5.45 light machine gun represents a significant improvement over the RPK-74, specifically in its sustained fire capability due to a higher ammunition capacity. It meets all the necessary contractual requirements effectively. However, considerations about the caliber may affect its overall appeal, especially given the established preference for the 7.62 caliber in squad automatic weapons, as demonstrated by the PKM. This preference emphasizes weight limitations, keeping the gun under 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg). As a result, the Kord 5.45 will be mainly for domestic law enforcement, potentially limiting its future military interest. As of 2019, there has been no new information, but we look forward to further developments and additional publicly available information.

Sources:

https://patents.google.com/patent/RU2458304C1

https://patents.google.com/patent/RU2638885C1