Production of the Dragunov rifles was launched in 1963 and has been continued for more than 60 years

Photo: Kalashnikov Concern

Rostec’s Kalashnikov Concern is completing the shipment of the 7.62mm Dragunov sniper rifles (SVD) included in the order for 2024. According to the contracts for 2025, the output of these products will grow by several times.

Production of the SVD designed by weapons engineer Evgeny Dragunov in 1958–1963 was launched at Izhevsk Machinebuilding Plant (now — Kalashnikov Concern) on 1963 and has been continued for more than 60 years. The Dragunov sniper rifle is still up-to-date nowadays: together with the Kalashnikov assault rifle, it is still popular in the Russian enforcement agencies as reliable and effective small arms designed for assured engagement of personnel and soft-skinned targets at ranges up to 1,000 m.

«Advantages of the Dragunov sniper rifle have been proved over the decades of operation,» pointed out Alan Lushnikov, President of Kalashnikov Concern. "Semiautomatic, compact and light design, high accuracy and precision are the undeniable advantages of the SVD. Despite its considerable age, the iconic Dragunov sniper rifle is still on duty and helps carry out missions in the special military operation zone.