MOSCOW, August 10. /TASS/. The Kalashnikov Group is upgrading the BK-16 transport and landing craft based on the special military operation experience, so its design will include a fixed machine gun for the first time, Kalashnikov Group CEO, board member of the Union of Russian Machine-Building Enterprises Alan Lushnikov said in an interview with TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov.

"Based on the Navy’s experience in the special military operation, the BK-16 boat is being upgraded. At the end of the year, the BK-16M boat’s technical design review and approval will take place. For the first time, it will include a fixed weapon - a gyro-stabilized 12.7-mm machine gun module. I would like to emphasize that customers are already placing orders for the modernized BK-16 boats," he said.

The BK-16 high-speed transport and landing craft of Project 02510 (known as the BK-16E in its export version) is designed for off-shore operations, transporting personnel, landing up to 19 troops on open beach and providing them with fire support, medical evacuation, providing assistance to vessels in distress, and counter-piracy and counter-terrorism operations.