A year ago, Kalashnikov Concern announced the PPK-20 SMG, which is the next iteration of the PP-19 Vityaz 9mm SMG that is named after Victor Kalashnikov, the son of the Mikhail Kalashnikov and designer of the PP-19 Bizon who died in the 2018. The Vityaz is based on the Bizon and according to the Russian weapons company, the PPK-20 completed state trials in July 2020.

But it looks like the company did major redesign to the PPK-20 making it more compact. For the “ARMY-2021” International Military-Technical Forum, which is being held from the 22nd to the 28th August at the Patriot Expo at the outskirts of Moscow, Kalashnikov Concern will unveil a new PPK-20 protoype designed it is more compact. This design change was made in consideration for pilots, vehicle crews, and special operations units operating in an urban environment. The first PPK-20 prototype has a folded length of 46cm, this new prototype is even more compact at 41cm folded.

The other design changes from the first PPK-20 prototype, is that this time the adjustable buttstock of the new prototype folds to the right instead of to the left. Just like the AK-12’s pistol grip, the second prototype’s pistol grip was also redesigned. It has a narrower circumference and the finger cutouts have been removed. Furthermore, it has Picatinny and M-Lok interfaces for mounting accessories. An additional feature to the new prototype is the trigger safety lock which does not entail the hand to be removed from pistol grip.

As the PPK-20 completed state trials, they are just waiting for approval before they can start mass production. Press release about its unveiling at the “ARMY-2021” below:

Kalashnikov To Unveil PPK-20 Submachine Gun

For the first time, at the International Military-Technical Forum, “ARMY-2021” Kalashnikov Group is going to unveil a prototype of the 9 mm submachine gun PPK-20.

New submachine gun was independently designed as a part of “Vityaz-MO” R&D project.

The PPK-20 has completed state trials, and is now awaiting the final decision of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in regards to adoption by the Armed Forces.

The PPK-20 was significantly modified to make it more compact, and now it is under consideration to become a new weapon system. If the trials are successful, Kalashnikov Group is ready to start production of the PPK-20, which also has significant export potential.

The PPK-20 can also serve as PDW (Personal Defence Weapon), a firearm for combat vehicle crews or various support units, and for Special Forces units that operate in urban areas, inside structures and vehicles, and in crowded environments.

The length of the PPK-20 with the folded butt stock is only 41 cm. The trials showed that when 7N21 ammunition is used, PPK-20 could penetrate Level 3A body armour (NIJ standard). With this round, the muzzle velocity of the PPK-20 is nearly 470 m/s, and the point blank range at a full-height target is 360 m.