Minsk: Belarus has developed its first fully localized VSK-100B assault rifle, moving to establish a domestic small-arms industry and reduce its reliance on foreign weapons components, President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday. Speaking during a visit to a facility of Belarusian arms producer Kidma Tech in the Minsk region, where he was presented with the first locally-made assault rifle and shown the company's fully localized serial production of small arms, Lukashenko stated that Belarus previously lacked a fully localized small-arms manufacturing capability.

According to Anadolu Agency, Lukashenko expressed pride in the establishment of the production line, emphasizing the ongoing importance of small arms in military capability despite the increasing prominence of drones and ballistic missiles. He highlighted that a plaque accompanying the presentation of the new rifle read 'Not for war ... For confidence in peace.' Minsk aims to expand the project beyond a single rifle and develop a broader defense-industrial manufacturing base.

Kidma Tech has already designed five models and six variants of combat small arms. The planned production line is expected to include a high-precision bolt-action rifle, a submachine gun, and a machine gun. Lukashenko encouraged Belarusian weapons manufacturers to continue developing new products, asserting that investment in the sector should not be restricted if the industry can potentially generate export revenues.

He emphasized the importance of advancing in this field, stating, 'We need to move forward and not be afraid that we cannot do something. We can do everything.' The project ultimately aims to grant Belarus technological self-sufficiency in small-arms production and lay the groundwork for a domestic arms industry.