The PKM (Russian: Пулемёт Калашникова, transliterated as Pulemyot Kalashnikova, or “Kalashnikov’s machine gun”), is a belt-fed general-purpose machine gun, chambered for the 7.62×54mmR rimmed cartridge. Designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia, the original PK machine gun was introduced in 1961 and the improved PKM variant was introduced in 1969. The PKM was designed to replace the SGM and RP-46 machine guns that were previously in Soviet service. The weapon remains in use as a front-line infantry and vehicle-mounted weapon with Russia’s armed forces and has also been exported extensively and produced in several other countries under license.