MOSCOW, July 3 The Dragunov sniper rifle (SVD) is one of the most successful developments in the field of sniper weapons in history, but its modernization potential also has limit, the Chukavin rifle (SHF) that replaces it will serve in the army for just as long, Bekhan Ozdoev, industrial director of the arms, ammunition and special chemistry cluster of Rostec, said.
Exactly 60 years ago, on July 3, 1963, the SVD was adopted by the Soviet army, which continues to be used by the RF Armed Forces to this day. This is the most massive sniper weapon in the world, which is used in the armies of more than 30 countries.
“The SVD is a reliable, well-proven rifle, it still remains relevant. However, progress does not stand still. Kalashnikov specialists (part of Rostec) are constantly improving the design, working to improve ergonomics, and increase combat performance. The result was a microwave rifle , which has absorbed all the best from its predecessor and at the same time has a number of advantageous differences. I am sure that this weapon will celebrate more than one serious anniversary, like the SVD,» Ozdoev said.
The interlocutor of the agency recalled that in the spring of 2023, the microwave was put into service and is already being supplied serially to the Russian army. According to him, the need for a new rifle is high.
Speaking about the differences between the SHF and the SVD, Ozdoev noted that the new sniper rifle has less weight due to the use of modern materials and relatively small dimensions, which increases the fighter's mobility and allows the use of the SHF in close combat.
The rifle has a telescopic butt, the ability to install any attachments. The microwave cartridge is the same as in the Dragunov rifle, but the accuracy of fire was increased by almost 30%. The microwave fuse box is double-sided, that is, it is convenient to control it with both the right hand and the left.
“On the SVD, it was one-sided, it was necessary to take your hand off the handle in order to put it in the right position,” Ozdoev explained.
The new-generation Chukavin sniper rifle developed by the Kalashnikov Concern (work code — «Reaper») should ensure the defeat of single targets with the first shot at a distance of up to a kilometer.
The semi-automatic rifle complex is designed for two cartridges — a domestic rifle 7.62 by 54 mm and a NATO cartridge 7.62 by 51. The mass of the microwave without ammunition is 4.6 kilograms, the length, depending on the version, is up to 115 centimeters, magazine capacity — ten rounds.