The PK is a belt-fed general-purpose machine gun, chambered for the 7.62x54mmR rimmed cartridge. Designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russian, the original PK machine gun was introduced in 1961 and the improved PKM variant was introduced in 1969. The modified PKM later came out in 1969 and was designed to replace the SGM and RP-46 machine guns that were previously in Soviet service. The PKM aimed to reduce the weight, simplify production, and facilitate easier operation.