Rostec develops potential Makarov replacement
Rostec’s Central Scientific Research Institute of Precision Engineering (TSNIITOCHMASH) has developed a 9x21mm pistol for the Russian Ministry of Defence and law enforcement services, Rostec announced on 16 October.
The new pistol, currently in testing, has been developed as a replacement for the Makarov handgun which has been deployed by Russian military forces since the 1950s. The decision as to whether it will be supplied to Russian forces will be made when testing completes in December 2018.
Sergey Abramov, conventional armament, ammunition and special chemistry cluster industrial director of Rostec, said: ‘This project proves again that Russia has all knowledge and capabilities that are necessary to create high-quality small arms, including short arms. Such a product requires a wide range of expertise from basic sciences to metallurgy. Many countries with developed machine industries can’t afford to develop their own pistols. There is no doubt that the project of our specialists will be noticed on the market.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
AUSA 2026: Hanwha receives howitzer top-up order to meet US Army’s fast delivery demand
Less than two months after winning a contract from the US Army for six prototype K9 mobile howitzers, Hanwha Defense USA has received an order for another three. The company will show a platform at AUSA 2026.
-
AUSA 2026 preview: Uncrewed systems and platforms to defend against them set to feature
The Association of the US Army’s flagship conference and exhibition takes place in Washington, DC from 12 to 14 October. Shephard takes a look at what might be in store at the 2026 show, with uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems and platforms under the spotlight.
-
New uses for proven weapons: adapting the Chain Gun for CUAS
Northrop Grumman’s M230LF Chain Gun is finding a growing role in countering uncrewed aerial systems, with the 30mm weapon already deployed to Ukraine and adopted by US forces.
-
KNDS points RCH 155 towards longer-range artillery future
KNDS Deutschland has fitted a tracked RCH 155 with a new KNDS France 155mm/58cal ordnance, opening a potential path towards significantly longer-range artillery and a future beyond the current NATO standard.
-
Companies downselected for British Army vehicle programme
It is believed that three companies did not make the downselect but a dark horse in Spain’s Iturri is believed to have got through.