For years, the Russian military has relied on the adage \u201cif it ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix it\u201d \u2014 especially proven by its dogged use of weapons originating in the 1950s and 60s, since updated to fulfill modern roles but still retaining their basic designs from back in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One example of that tendency can be seen in the continued use of the Dragunov SVD \u2014 a designated marksman rifle developed in the early 1960s from the AK platform, and still in widespread use with Russian infantry and special ops units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Produced by Kalashnikov Concern (previously known as IZHMASH), this rifle has served its country and a number of export nations faithfully over more than 50 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But now it seems as though the company which spawned such great hits as the AK-47, the SVD, and the PM pistol<\/a>, has decided it\u2019s time to put its old DMR out to pasture<\/a> with a new gun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enter the SVCh Chukavin, a new and highly modern (compared to the SVD) DMR which Kalashnikov Concern hopes will finally replace the SVD and give Russian infantry units a formidable and versatile ranged weapon amidst a massive effort to modernize the Russian military and fully bring it into the 21st century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n