Lukashenko presented with first fully Belarusian automatic rifle
President Alexander Lukashenko was presented with the first fully Belarusian-made VSK-100B automatic rifle during a visit to the 'Kidma Tek' factory. He praised the achievement and ordered a non-functional version for display at the Palace of Independence.
Consensus
- President Alexander Lukashenko was presented with a VSK-100B automatic rifle.
- The rifle was fully manufactured in Belarus.
- The presentation occurred during a visit to the 'Kidma Tek' enterprise.
- The gift included a plaque with the inscription: 'Not for war... For confidence in peace!'
- Lukashenko emphasized the importance of domestically produced small arms for national defense.
- The VSK-100B has been accepted into service by Belarusian armed forces.
- Work on developing Belarusian small arms and ammunition began in 2018.
- The VSK-100 series was first produced in January 2020 with full localization.
- Lukashenko ordered a non-functional version of the rifle to be placed in the Palace of Independence museum.
- The rifle is based on the AK system and features modular attachments such as optics, suppressors, and grenade launchers.
Points of divergence
- Lukashenko stated that the production of small arms in Belarus was achieved under a 'democratic dictatorship' and that it was difficult due to historical reliance on Russia and others. — vm
- Román Golovchenko, Chairman of the National Bank of Belarus, claimed there is 'no Soviet legacy' in the production of small arms in Belarus. — vm
- Lukashenko previously gifted a VSK-100B to Kim Jong-un during a visit to Pyongyang on March 26. — vm
- The VSK-100 was accepted into service at the beginning of 2021, and the company has developed five models and six modifications, with four models accepted into service. — kommersant
- The VSK-100B was developed with a reinforced barrel and receiver to improve durability, accuracy, and consistency compared to similar models. — vedomosti
- Lukashenko stated on April 20 that Belarus would use its entire arsenal if threatened, though he clarified this does not mean immediate nuclear use. — vedomosti
- Lukashenko had previously received a beehive as a gift during the 'Zov Polissya' cultural festival in Gomel Region. — vesti
Coverage (5 sources)
- Belarusian-made VSK-100B automatic rifle gifted to Lukashenko — Вечерняя Москва
- Lukashenko gifted the first Belarusian VSK-100B automatic rifle — Коммерсантъ
- Lukashenko gifted the first fully Belarusian VSK-100B automatic rifle — Ведомости
- Belarusian president given first fully domestically produced automatic weapon — Вести
- Lukashenko gifted the first Belarusian rifle. — РИА Новости (Telegram)
Key entities
- Alexander Lukashenko
- Belarus
- BelTA
- Kidma Tek
- Moscow
- VM
- Minsk Region
- Independence Palace
- BelTA
- OAO «Kidma Tek»