29.05.2020.

The final stage of testing of the new small arms systems

A meeting of the Team for the Development of New Small Arms was held today at the training ground of the “Zastava Arms” factory, where the results of the development so far were summarized, and final tests of the system were performed by the Technical Test Centre.

The presentation, chaired by the Assistant Minister of Defence for Material Resources, Nenad Miloradović, was attended by team members, representatives of the Army Command, the Development and Equipping Department (J-5) of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, the Defence Technologies Department of the Ministry of Defence, and representatives of defence industry factories participating in the project.

A demonstration of weapons and new ammunition, as well as optical devices, was performed at the firing range, and the attendees had the opportunity to see their capabilities, functions and advantages.

Speaking about the new weapons, Assistant Minister Nenad Miloradović pointed out that it is a complete family of the new generation of small arms.

- This is a system whose task is to significantly enhance the capabilities of the infantry of the Serbian Armed Forces, by up to 30 percent according to some estimates. We expect significant improvements in the systems that are made up of weapons, appropriate ammunition, optical and optoelectronic aiming systems - Miloradović explained and added that the representatives of the Technical Test Centre informed the Development Team today about the test results.

According to him, the testing of the main element of the new small arms system, the 6.5 and 7.62 mm modular rifle, which has passed most of the tests so far, is nearing completion.

- It has passed almost 95 percent of tests, mechanical tests and tests in various weather conditions, tests of reliability and durability of both calibres, and so far the results are satisfactory. The Technical Test Centre will eventually submit an appropriate report, which is expected in the next week or two - the Assistant Minister for Material Resources pointed out and added that the testing of the short-barrelled rifle, submachine gun or "crew rifle" will follow, after which the testing of three types of sniper rifles and the modernized M84 machine gun will be continued.

According to him, the first element of the new system, the 6.5 mm bullet, has already been introduced into the armament of the Serbian Armed Forces, and the introduction of other types of that ammunition is being prepared.

- Also, the 7.62x54 bullet for the new generation of sniper rifles was introduced into the armament, as well as the sniper bullet for 12.7 mm long-range rifles before it. It is expected that, after a successful test, all these types will be introduced into the armament and that an infantry battalion will be initially equipped with a new generation of small arms by the end of the year - Miloradović pointed out and explained that this development is "in line with the standards and reputation of our three oldest weapons factories".

- With such a tradition, we can set such revolutionary demands and apparently, our designers, engineers and manufacturers have managed to achieve them, so the operational capabilities of our infantry soldiers will be at a much higher level, and such progress is not possible without a new generation of optoelectronic systems, primarily thermal imaging sights, which will enable efficient shooting both during the day and at night - said the Assistant Minister for Material Resources.

Aleksandar Mladenović, Development Director of “Zastava Arms” factory, pointed out that today we attended a demonstration of all types of weapons which, according to program documents, are intended for equipping the armed forces.

- It is a program ranging from modular rifles and submachine guns, which are practically a completely new concept in small arms, to M-84 machine guns and 12.7 mm calibre sniper rifles. As a manufacturer, we have shown that this is a big jump compared to the previous generation of products, in terms of efficiency and ergonomics, as well as in terms of the ease of use of the new generation of products - said Mladenović, adding that he thinks there will be a significant jump in the efficiency of the use of weapons on the battlefields, and during the execution of combat missions.

Another advantage that he highlighted is that the armed forces will not have to spend a lot of resources on additional training of people, because the new assets are chiefly based on the old ones, which have proven to be reliable.

- Like any experienced manufacturer, we have not changed anything, we have only made improvements, and brought our large family of small arms to the world level, and I think that in some respects we are even ahead - said the Development Director of "Zastava Arms" and concluded that our armed forces will be equipped with assets that will increase their efficiency to a large extent.