For better or worse, the future of warfare involves new and more powerful weapons to tackle adversaries on a global scale. Weapons technology is a billion-dollar business, so there is plenty of incentive to continue working on new and powerful weapons that can be sold to the militaries of countries large and small worldwide.
The Future of Warfare
Now, we can’t peer into a crystal ball and know what will happen next regarding military conflict. However, we have seen the rising prevalence of electronic warfare suites, with unmanned drones being used in Ukraine, Yemen, and Armenia, among other recent wars. With that in mind, rifle-mounted jammers will likely be a standardized piece of equipment going forward.
1. QBZ-191
- Type: Battle rifle
- Country: China
One of the weapons China is known to be working on is the QBZ-191, also called the Type 20. Chongqing Jianshe Industry of the CSGC makes them. It’s set to work for several different purposes, filling the role of an assault carbine, a designated marksman rifle, and an assault rifle. It uses some rather unconventional bullets, specifically the 5.8x42mm intermediate cartridge.
2. SAKO M23
- Type: Battle rifle
- Country: Finland
Finland is also working on an upgrade. Their new battle rifle, the SAKO M23, is to be a multi-purpose weapon. It’s set to be a marksman rifle, a sniper rifle, and a battle rifle. Though set for several purposes, it will only use standard 7.62x51mm NATO rounds. It will replace some of Finland’s older weapons from the Soviet era.
3. PGM Mini-Hecate II
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Country: France
The PGM Mini-Hecate II is similar to the Hecate II. However, it’s made smaller and better suited to an infantry sniper. It’s a tactical bolt-action sniper rifle that holds multiple rounds. Some of the more common rounds it works for include the 300NM, 375 SWISS P, 300PRC, and 338L.
4. Rheinmetall SSW40
- Type: Grenade Launcher
- Country: Germany
Rheinmetall SSW40 is a German weapon. It’s a grenade launcher and is to improve the 40mm grenade launchers by expanding on grenade-firing and fire support abilities to better fit the modern era. It’s also an automatic weapon and is fed by the magazine. It’s said to be able to hit targets almost 3,000 feet away.
5. Kalashnikov AK-203
- Type: Assault rifle
- Country: India
AK-style weapons are usually more associated with Russia, but India is working to develop their version. The Kalashnikov AK-203 is a combined effort by India and Russia to improve the AK-103. The main focus is upgrading the penetration at range using 7.62mm caliber bullets. It’s also improving on the gas-operated firing.
6. NT Service UAB EDM4S (Sky Wiper)
- Type: Anti-drone rifle
- Country: Lithuania
Lithuania is working to develop countermeasures against drones. The Electronic Drone Mitigation 4 System (EDM4S) is set up similarly to a rifle with a pistol grip. However, instead of bullets, it fires electromagnetic pulses to block signals the drone receives.
7. Kalashnikov AK-19
- Type: Assault rifle
- Country: Russia
The AK-19 is set to be very similar to an AK-47, keeping the arrangement, gas-operated firing, and general design. However, this one will use slightly different rounds, specifically the 5.56x45mm NATO round.
8. Kalashnikov PLK (Lebedev)
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Country: Russia
The Kalashnikov is meant to be a counter to Western semi-automatic pistols. The PLK is meant to work with 9mm rounds. It has a semi-automatic firing action and a 14-round box magazine that detaches.
9. Lokmas PARS STUPOR
- Type: Anti-drone rifle
- Country: Russia
Like many other countries on this list, Russia is working on weapons to counter against drones. The Lokmas PARS STUPOR is their design. Similarly to other drone weapons, it’s meant to disrupt any communication between the drone and the user, giving the drone time to crash or fly somewhere else. It’s similar to a rifle with a sighting device for maximum accuracy.
10. SNT Motiv K16
- Type: General purpose machine gun
- Country: South Korea
This SNT Motiv K16 is to be the next machine gun for South Korea. It should improve the current K3 light machine gun and the M60 general-purpose machine gun South Korea currently uses. Specifically, the focus is on improving the maximum effective firing range, firing action, and design. It will use 7.62x51mm NATO rounds.
11. SNT Motiv STC16
- Type: Modular assault rifle
- Country: South Korea
Many of South Korea’s current weapons, especially small arms, are outdated. Currently, the country is working on creating more modern versions for many of them, including a modular assault rifle. The SNT Motiv STC16 is meant to bring their assault rifles into the modern world. It’s set to work with the 5.56x45mm NATO rounds. It will also operate using a gas-operated piston. The gun can be mounted on several different accessories and optics.
12. SNT Motiv STSM21
- Type: Modular submachine gun
- Country: South Korea
South Korea is also working on a modular submachine gun. The SNT Motiv STSM21 is set to work with 9mm rounds. It doesn’t have many features that are breaking the mold but instead focuses on incorporating all of the modern features and specs for a reliable submachine gun. It’s said to work for personal defense and close-quarters combat.
13. SNT Motiv STSR23
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Country: South Korea
This South Korean weapon is meant to be a marksman rifle. The SNT Motiv STSR23 uses a gas-operated piston to help it fire. Though it’s meant to work with 7.62x51mm NATO rounds, the weapon can have variable barrel lengths to make it more versatile.
14. Kvertus Technology Antidron KVSG-6
- Type: Anti-drone rifle
- Country: Ukraine
Ukraine is currently working on making anti-drone rifles. The KVSG-6 is set to be their next response to drones. It works by sending radio signals toward the drone, and scrambling signals, specifically those received by the machine. Generally, this weapon should be able to create a partial or even complete communication block, leading the drone to crash or just fly around without command.
15. IXI-EW Dronekiller
- Type: Anti-drone rifle
- Country: United States
As you might expect from the name, the IXI-EW Dronekiller is used to take down enemy drones. It is set up like a normal rifle with a pistol grip. It can reach distances over 3,000 feet and works by stopping any communication between the drone and the user. It weighs just under 9 pounds.
16. K&M M17S
- Type: Battle rifle
- Country: United States
This battle rifle is a semi-automatic based on the Bushmaster used in the 1990s. The K&M M17S works with many rounds, such as .208 Winchester, 7.62x51mm NATO, .330 Blackouts, .223, and 5.56x45mm.
17. M250
- Type: Squad automatic weapon
- Country: United States
The M250 is a rifle developed by the United States for the Army. It’s meant to be an upgrade on SAW (Squad Automatic Weapons). SAW weapons are used when rapid firepower is needed, such as for suppression or support. It’s a direct upgrade to the M249 but with a few changes. One of the biggest is that it uses high-caliber rounds, like 6.8x51mm SIG Fury, instead of the 5.5x45mm NATO rounds that older generations used.
18. MCX Spear
- Type: Battle rifle
- Country: United States
The MCX Spear, also known as the XM5, is made by SIG-Sauer and is said to reach a maximum effective range of 1,700 feet. This is set to succeed the current standard issue M4 that the US Army uses. Despite replacing the M4, it builds on AR-15 technology. The main difference is that it uses 6.8x51mm SIG Fury rounds.
19. MK-22 Sniper
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Country: United States
The MK-22 is meant to be so good, it can replace both the M107 and the M2010 sniper rifles in the Army. The Military is also considering using this sniper rifle, replacing all of their older bolt-action sniper rifles. The MK-22, called MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design rifle) by the manufacturer, will be able to fire a few different rounds. Some examples include the common 7.62mm, .300mm, and .338 Norma Magnums.
20. Precision Grenadier System
- Type: Grenade launcher
- Country: United States
This is meant to upgrade the M320, an older grenade launcher. There were previous attempts to make an upgrade, but the contracts didn’t work out. Though the details of this upgrade haven’t been announced yet, the army is supposedly looking to be easily portable by soldiers and have efficiency and accuracy even at over 3,000 feet.
22. SIG XM7
- Type: Assault Rifle
- Country: United States
First tested in 2019 as part of the US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon Program, the SIG XM7 will eventually look to become the standard issue rifle across the Army. As of March 2024, the XM7, which underwent years of tests, is in the hands of the 101st Airborne Division, 75th Ranger Regiment, and the 506th Infantry Regiment for hands-on testing.
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