PP-2011 Kedr-Para submachine gun. Old design and new cartridge
An early version of the PP-2011 "Kedr-Para" submachine gun with a silencer. Photo "Zlatmash"
Several years ago, on the basis of the serial submachine gun PP-91 "Kedr", a new product PP-2011 "Kedr-Para" was created, which had a number of important differences. Subsequently it weapon was repeatedly demonstrated at exhibitions and offered to potential customers, incl. foreign. The prospects for PP-2011 remained uncertain so far, but it is now known that Russian security agencies are interested in it.
Under the new cartridge
In 1993, the Zlatoust Machine-Building Plant (Zlatmash) mastered the serial production of the newest submachine gun PP-91 Kedr. This product was adopted by various structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Federal Security Service, etc. Over time, security and cash collection companies showed great interest in him.
As a result, a light and compact weapon with fairly high characteristics, using a gross cartridge 9x18 mm PM, has become widespread. Until now, "Cedar" is the most common example of its class in our country.
Almost immediately after the launch of the series, the process of improving the design began. So, back in the mid-nineties, by order of one of the law enforcement agencies, a modification of the PP-919 "Kedr-2" was developed for the 9x19 mm "Parabellum" cartridge. Also, the unified PP-9 "Wedge" underwent a similar revision as an experiment. For various reasons, both of these samples did not reach production, and the idea of reprocessing "Kedr" under a new cartridge was temporarily postponed.
Modern version of PP-2011 with new equipment. Photo "Zlatmash"
At the turn of the 2011s and XNUMXs, Zlatmash developed a new version of the Cedar for the Parabellum cartridge. This product received the index PP-XNUMX, which reflects the year of creation, and the name "Kedr-Para", indicating the basic design and a new cartridge.
Such a submachine gun was repeatedly demonstrated at various exhibitions - in search of a future customer. Later, Zlatmash received permission to sell such weapons abroad, and Kedr-Para was included in the Rosoboronexport catalog. However, all these measures until recently did not lead to the desired results. As far as we know, the updated "Cedar" under 9x19 mm has not yet gone into production and has not been shipped to customers.
Latest news
On the Day of the Armourer, September 19, the current state of the Kedr-Para project and its possible prospects became known. RIA News published information received from the head of the Zlatmash small arms sales bureau Vadim Astashin. The representative of the enterprise recalled the goals of the project and the characteristics of the product, and also spoke about the current activities and plans for the future.
It is reported that the PP-2011 was developed as a modern replacement for the first version of the Kedr, which is in service with the security forces. In the recent past, he attracted the attention of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, which led to the start of relevant events. In August this year, "Kedr-Para" was tested in unnamed units under the supervision of the PKU NPO "Special Technics and Communications". The tests ended in success. At the same time, wishes were received for improving the design - the corresponding improvements have already been carried out.
Serial PP-91 "Kedr". Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
State tests are scheduled for the beginning of next 2022. After they are held, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will decide on the introduction of the new PP-2011 into service. At the same time, the exact dates for the appearance of the corresponding order and orders for the series are not named. The circle of future operators of the new weapon has not been revealed either.
Technical features
The aim of the PP-2011 Kedr-Para project was to transfer the original PP-91 to the new 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridge. By using a more powerful cartridge, it was planned to increase all the main characteristics of the weapon. Such tasks were solved by changing a number of key details, while other assemblies and components remained the same.
Cedar-Para retains the scheme and other basic features of the basic Cedar. The same rectangular receiver is used with the lower magazine receiver. The free breech automatics are preserved, but the breechblock and the reciprocating combat spring have been changed taking into account the characteristics of the new cartridge. The barrel actually differs only in the size and shape of the chamber.
The standard trigger-type firing mechanism is retained. On the starboard side of the receiver there is a fuse-translator flag with three positions: fuse, single and automatic fire.
Like its predecessor, the PP-2011 uses detachable box magazines for 20 or 30 rounds. The weapon can use ammunition 9x19 mm "Pair" of different types, incl. cartridge of increased penetration 7N21 and armor-piercing 7N31.
Incomplete disassembly of the submachine gun. Photo Modernfirearms.net
Depending on the cartridge used, "Kedr-Para" is capable of showing a rate of fire up to 1000 rds / min. Bullet muzzle velocity - up to 430 m / s; energy - 638 J. The aiming range is determined at 200 m. At a distance of 100 m, shots are placed in a circle with a diameter of 150 mm. The possibility of defeating manpower in body armor and unprotected equipment is declared. At the same time, high accuracy dramatically reduces the risk of collateral damage.
PP-2011 is equipped with a folding stock, borrowed from the Kedr unchanged. Installation of a silent firing device is envisaged. As a result of recent improvements, the submachine gun has acquired a more comfortable shoulder rest. Also on both sides of the receiver there were Picatinny rails for mounting additional devices.
The upgraded PP-2011 "Kedr-Para" has a length of 312/540 mm (with folded / unfolded stock). Weight with a magazine without cartridges - 1,8 kg.
Product prospects
In general, PP-2011 is an interesting development that has a certain commercial potential. Potential customers should be interested in maintaining good ergonomics and other performance characteristics of the base "Cedar". At the same time, the new cartridge provides an increase in combat characteristics and removes all the reasons for criticism associated with the less powerful 9x18 mm.
The latest news shows that "Kedr-Para", after several years of uncertainty, still managed to interest some structures of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. In the coming months, all the necessary checks will pass, according to the results of which he will be able to enter service. It is quite possible that other structures will follow the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and then foreign customers will appear.
Modern pistol cartridges. Second from left - 9x18 mm PM, third from left - 9x19 mm "Parabellum". Photo Wikimedia Commons
Even without waiting for the results of future state tests, we can say that the new submachine gun turned out to be more successful and successful than a similar "Kedr-2" from the mid-nineties. He has already coped with part of the checks, received recommendations for further development and will soon be released for testing again.
The reasons for the current success are quite simple and directly related to the plans of potential customers. The fact is that in the mid-nineties, the army and law enforcement agencies showed interest in the new 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridge for them, but did not have the opportunity to begin its full-scale development. Accordingly, any new submachine guns not under the 9x18 mm PM had no real chance.
By now, a fundamental decision has been made to switch from the old 9x18 mm PM cartridge to the more powerful and widespread 9x19 mm "Parabellum", and besides, there are the necessary opportunities for this. With the aim of such rearmament under the new cartridge, promising models of various kinds are being created and put into service - and "Kedr-Para" from "Zlatmash" can join their ranks.
Potential and reality
The simple and successful design of the PP-91 "Kedr" submachine gun can be adapted without significant difficulties for a particular cartridge and for different purposes. Such its capabilities in recent decades have been repeatedly demonstrated with the help of various prototypes. However, the same products showed that the real prospects of any project are determined, first of all, by the requirements and capabilities of the customer, and the technical features fade into the background.
The new PP-2011 Kedr-Para submachine gun has once again confirmed the technical and operational potential of the original design. At the same time, unlike its predecessors, it appeared at the right time - and got a chance to reach full-fledged tests, according to the results of which it will be able to enter service. Whether the new weapon will be able to realize all the technical and commercial capabilities will become clear as early as next year.
Information