Documents
Russia Kalashnikov Concern
SVD
A semi-automatic gas-operated designated-marksman rifle developed to give Soviet infantry squads precision fire support beyond assault-rifle range. It remains the standard marksman rifle of the Russian Armed Forces and one of the world's most widely proliferated sniper-class weapons.
In service since 1963 · 50 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
800
m range
30
rpm
830
m/s
10
rds
Pricing: No public modern unit cost; legacy mass production
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Russian state channel
Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.
Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)
Fielded & proven
Widely fielded · 50 operators
In service since 1963. Status: active · ~200,000 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Effective range Distance at which the weapon reliably hits point targets. Higher extends engagement envelope. | 800 m |
|---|---|
| Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. | 30 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. | 830 m/s |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 7.62x54mmR |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 7.6 mm |
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 10 |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 1.23 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 4 kg |
| Barrel length Barrel length, longer improves muzzle velocity and accuracy, shorter improves handling. | 620 mm |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 200,000 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 50 |
Specifications compiled from public Kalashnikov Concern and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
Compare with rivals
See how it stacks up
Head-to-head comparisons
SVD vs
FAL 
HK416 A5 
Uzi Frequently asked questions
How much does the Kalashnikov Concern SVD weigh? +
The Kalashnikov Concern SVD has a combat weight of 4 kg.
What is the main armament of the Kalashnikov Concern SVD? +
The Kalashnikov Concern SVD's primary weapon is the 7.62x54mmR.
What is the Kalashnikov Concern SVD used for? +
The Kalashnikov Concern SVD is a rifle & long arms typically used for infantry combat.
How many countries operate the Kalashnikov Concern SVD? +
The Kalashnikov Concern SVD is operated by 50 countries.
How much does the Kalashnikov Concern SVD cost? +
Kalashnikov Concern SVD: No public modern unit cost; legacy mass production. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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