View source for RPD machine gun

{{Short description|Light machine gun}}
{{Other uses|RPD (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = RPD
| image = LMG-RPD-44 noBG.png
| image_size = 370
| caption = A right-side view of the RPD
| origin = [[Soviet Union]]
| type = * [[Light machine gun]]
* [[Squad automatic weapon]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service = 1944–1961 (Soviet Union)<br>1944–present (other states)
| used_by = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
| wars = See ''[[#Wars|Wars]]''
<!-- Production history -->
| designer = [[Vasily Degtyaryov]]
| design_date = 1943–44
| manufacturer = 
| production_date = 1944–1960
| number = 
| variants = RPDM, Type 56, Type 56-1, Type 62
<!-- General specifications -->| weight = {{convert|7.4|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} when empty
| length = {{convert|1037|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| part_length = {{convert|520|mm|abbr=on|1}}
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge = [[7.62×39mm]]<br>[[5.56×45mm NATO]] (Israeli conversion)
| action = [[Gas-operated reloading|Gas operated]] [[Gas-operated reloading#Long-stroke|long stroke piston]], [[flapper locking]] and fires from the [[open bolt]]
| rate = 650 rounds/min
| velocity = {{convert|735|m/s|0|abbr=on}}
| range = 100–1,000 m sight adjustments
| max_range = 
| feed = Non-disintegrating 100-round segmented belt stored in a drum container. Custom 125 round belt (MACVSOG version)
| sights = Open-type sights with rear sliding notch and semi-hooded front post, {{convert|596.6|mm|abbr=on|1}} sight radius
}}

The '''RPD''' ({{langx|ru|ручной пулемёт Дегтярёва|Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova}}, English: Degtyaryov hand-held machine gun) is a [[7.62x39mm]] [[light machine gun]] developed in the [[Soviet Union]] by [[Vasily Degtyaryov]] for the [[7.62×39mm]] M43 [[intermediate cartridge]]. It was created as a replacement for the [[Degtyaryov light machine gun|DP]] machine gun [[Chamber (firearms)|chambered]] for the [[7.62×54mmR]] round. It is a precursor of most [[squad automatic weapon]]s.<ref name="wozniak">Woźniak, Ryszard: ''Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej—tom 4 R–Z'', page 32. Bellona, 2002.</ref> It was succeeded in Soviet service by the [[RPK]].

==History==
[[File:7,62 mm RPD light machine gun.JPG|thumb|RPD [[light machine gun]] at the [[Mikkeli]] Infantry museum]]
[[File:RPD feed system.JPG|thumb|Feeding system of RPD machine gun]]
[[File:Russian RPDs DM-SD-04-06986.JPEG|thumb|A captured [[Fedayeen Saddam|Fedayeen]] weapons cache of RPD [[machine guns]], outside of Jaman Al Juburi, Iraq during [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]]]
[[File:Machine Gun RPD.jpg|thumb|right|RPD from [[Polish Army]] depot]]
[[File:RPD-5d56-IMI-conversion-1977-batey-haosef-1.jpg|thumb|RPD [[Firearm modification|converted]] to [[5.56×45mm NATO]] by [[Israel Military Industries|IMI]] at the [[Israel Defense Forces History Museum]]]]
[[File:RPD-machine-gun-batey-haosef-1.jpg|thumb|RPD at the [[Israel Defense Forces History Museum]]]]
[[File:Patrolling the streets of Birao.jpg|thumb|A [[Central African Armed Forces|Central African soldier]] in a [[Patrolling|patrol]] armed with a RPD machine gun during a [[Joint warfare|joint]] [[military operation]] in the streets of [[Birao]], 2007]]
[[File:Egyptian marine DF-ST-86-08092.jpg|thumb|right|An [[Egyptian marine]] aiming a RPD during the combined and joint training exercise [[Operation Bright Star]] [[Operation Bright Star#Early exercises|'85]]]]
[[File:Marine RPD machine gun.jpg|thumb|right|A [[U.S. Marine]] sighting in with the RPD, 2005]]
[[File:Bangladeshi soldiers on a BTR-80 APC.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bangladesh Army]] personnel on [[BTR-80]] during [[Bangladesh Rifles revolt|Bangladesh Rifles Mutiny]], 2009. Note the left one holding a RPD.]]

Work on the weapon commenced in 1943. Three prominent [[Soviet engineers]] were asked to submit their own designs: [[Vasily Degtyaryov]], [[Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov|Sergei Simonov]] and [[Alexei Sudayev]]. Among the completed [[prototypes]] prepared for evaluation, the Degtyaryov design proved superior and was accepted into service with the [[Soviet armed forces]] as the 7.62&nbsp;mm Ручной Пулемёт Дегтярёва, PПД (RPD, ''Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova'' or "Degtyaryov light machine gun") model 1944.<ref name=":1" /> 

Although the RPD was ready for [[mass production]] during the final stages of [[World War II]], it was adopted in 1948 and large scale delivery of the weapon did not begin until 1953.<ref name="wozniak" /> 

During the [[Vietnam War]], the RPD and its Chinese copy (Type 56) served the [[Viet Cong]] and the [[People's Army of Vietnam]] as their standard light machine gun.<ref>{{cite book|title=US Marine vs NVA Soldier: Vietnam 1967–68|series=Combat 13|first= David R.|last= Higgins|date=20 Aug 2015 |isbn=9781472808998|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]|page=45}}</ref>

After the introduction of the [[Kalashnikov rifle|Kalashnikov]]-pattern support weapons, such as the [[RPK]] and [[PK machine gun]]s in the 1960s, the RPD was withdrawn from most first-tier units of the former [[Warsaw Pact]]. However, the RPD remains in active service in many African and Asian nations.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eDZZ-TDY2bgC&dq=RPD+Warsaw+Pact&pg=RA5-PA15 |title=Soldiers |date=1982 |publisher=Department of the Army |language=en}}</ref> 

Apart from the former Soviet Union, the weapon was manufactured in China (as the '''Type 56 LMG'''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dye |first=Dale A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iKvCDwAAQBAJ&dq=RPD+china+Type+56+LMG&pg=PT282 |title=Small Arms of the Vietnam War: A Photographic Study |date=2018-08-19 |publisher=Warriors Publishing Group |language=en}}</ref>), [[Military industry of Egypt|Egypt]] (Maadi RPD<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ashcroft |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c1vwu0hJdzYC&dq=egypt+RPD+gun&pg=PA8 |title=Making A Killing: The Explosive Story of a Hired Gun in Iraq |date=2011-07-31 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-7535-4774-8 |language=en}}</ref>), [[Defense industry of North Korea|North Korea]] ('''Type 62'''<ref>{{Cite book |last=McNab |first=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ps_ODwAAQBAJ&dq=north+korea+RPD+gun&pg=PA20 |title=US Air Cavalry Trooper vs North Vietnamese Soldier: Vietnam 1965–68 |date=2020-09-17 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4728-4176-6 |language=en}}</ref>) and, since 1956, Poland.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}

==Design details==
===Operating mechanism===
The RPD is an [[automatic weapon]] using a [[gas-operated long-stroke piston system]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=McNab |first=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3vo_CwAAQBAJ&dq=RPD+gas-operated+long-stroke+piston+system&pg=PT197 |title=The World's Greatest Small Arms: An Illustrated History |date=2015-12-22 |publisher=Amber Books Ltd |isbn=978-1-78274-274-6 |language=en}}</ref> and a [[Lock (firearm)|locking system]] recycled from previous Degtyaryov [[small arms]]{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}, consisting of a pair of hinged flaps set in recesses on each side of the [[Receiver (firearms)|receiver]].<ref name=":0" /> 

The movement of these flaps and the resulting locking and unlocking [[Action (firearms)|action]] is controlled by carefully angled surfaces on the [[Bolt (firearms)|bolt]] carrier assembly{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}. The weapon fires from an [[open bolt]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=Mikko |first1=Don |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYCYDwAAQBAJ&dq=RPD+open+bolt&pg=SL9-PA14 |title=Battlefield Forensics for Persian Gulf States: Regional and U.S. Military Weapons, Ammunition, and Headstamp Markings |last2=Bailey |first2=William |date=2019-05-13 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-0-429-76553-7 |language=en}}</ref>

===Features===
The RPD is [[Hammer (firearms)|hammer]] fired from an open bolt. The hammer forms part of the rear of the bolt carrier (which is connected to the gas piston), which continues moving forward for a short distance after the round is chambered and the bolt locked, the hammer face then striking the rear of the free floating [[firing pin]] which passes through the length of the bolt. 

Locking occurs by means of lateral flaps located along the sides of the bolt, which are forced outwards (by the angled sides of the hammer) into recesses cut into the receiver body, after which firing occurs when the face of the hammer strikes the rear of the firing pin. The mechanism is simple, rugged and reliable. 

It features a trigger mechanism that is limited to fully automatic fire only. The bolt is equipped with a spring-loaded casing [[Extractor (firearms)|extraction system]], and a fixed insert inside the receiver housing which passes between the feed horns of the bolt serves as the ejector. 

Spent cartridge casings are ejected downward through an opening in the bolt carrier and receiver. The RPD has a manually operated lever-type [[Safety (firearms)|safety]] mechanism that secures the weapon against [[Unintentional discharge (firearms)|accidental firing]] by blocking the bolt catch when engaged. Unlike Degtyarov's earlier firearm patents, the RPD's return spring is located inside the butt. 

Like many other Russian-made [[firearms]], the chamber and [[Gun barrel#Bore|bore]] are [[chrome plating|chrome-lined]], greatly decreasing the risk of [[Pitting corrosion|corrosion]] and [[Firearm malfunction|jamming]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} 

The weapon has a non-removable [[Gun barrel|barrel]] with a three-position gas adjustment valve used to control the performance of the gas system. It is also equipped with a folding integral [[bipod]], [[Stock (firearms)#Wood stocks|wooden]] shoulder [[Stock (firearms)|stock]], [[foregrip]] and [[pistol grip]]. The firearm strips down into the following major groups: the receiver and barrel, bolt, bolt carrier, feed tray and feed cover, the [[Recoil operation|recoil mechanism]] and the [[Trigger (firearms)|trigger]] group and stock.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}

===Feeding===
The RPD fires from an open bolt in full auto only. There is no provision for [[semi-auto fire]], although RPD gunners were trained to fire in short bursts to prolong the life of the non-quick-change barrels. The RPD feeds [[ammunition]] from the left side using a metallic, open-link, [[non-disintegrating belt]] typically holding 100 rounds of 7.62x39 ammunition. Unlike many other [[Belt (firearms)|belt]]-fed automatic weapons, where the rounds must be pulled out the rear of the belt and then pushed forward into the chamber, the RPD uses a simpler "push through" design where the rounds are pushed out the front of the belt and into the chamber. At least three variants of the RPD belt were produced. The Russians and Hungarians both produced 50-round belt segments, while the Chinese produced 25-round belt segments. 

The Russian RPD belts held the rounds in place using the extractor groove. The Hungarians designed a simpler belt that held the cartridges in place using an L-shaped tab at the rear of the belt. The Chinese copied the Hungarian design for their belts, albeit in 25-round lengths instead of 50. RPD belt segments are connected using a round of ammunition that holds the last link of the first belt and the first link of the next belt together. When the last round in a belt segment is fired, that belt segment disconnects and falls away, reducing the chances of the empty belt snagging or becoming entangled. Regardless of the style of belt used, the RPD was typically fed using 100 rounds of linked ammunition. 

The Russian, Hungarian, and Chinese RPD belts are all interchangeable, and can be linked together without affecting the feeding of the RPD.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=3429 |title=RPD Belt Loader |access-date=2017-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201080755/http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=3429 |archive-date=2017-12-01 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The combined belt segments are stored in a metal drum that is attached to a mount on the receiver, for a total of 100 rounds. The RPD can also feed belts that are not contained in a drum if, for example, there is a need for more than 100 rounds of linked ammunition at a time. The feed system is operated by a roller connected to the reciprocating bolt carrier assembly. The belt is pulled into the gun during the rearward motion of the bolt carrier. The noteworthy flaw in the drum's design is its unreliability in dirty conditions; it can quickly become clogged from debris. {{Cn|date=January 2021}}

===Sights===
The RPD is equipped with a set of open-type [[iron sights]]. These consist of a front post and a notched rear sight mounted on a tangent. Both the front and rear sights on the RPD are [[Iron sights#Adjustment|adjustable]] for [[windage]] and [[Elevation (ballistics)|elevation]]. The front sight is adjusted up or down for elevation using a tool included in the issued [[Firearm maintenance#Cleaning|cleaning]] kit. To adjust the front sight for windage, the smaller of the two wrenches on the [[multi-tool]] included in the issued cleaning kit is used to loosen the retaining bolt on the front sight clamp. The front sight can then be adjusted left or right for the correct windage, after which the retaining bolt is reinstalled to lock the sight into place. The rear sight is adjusted for elevation using a slider. 

The rear sight is marked in 100 meter increments from 100 to 1,000 meters. The rear sight is adjusted for windage using a knob on the left side of the rear sight. Because the front sight of the RPD must be partially disassembled in order to adjust windage, in practice the front sight would have been zeroed for windage and then locked in place. Adjustment for windage in the field would have been accomplished using the knob on the rear sight.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}

A number of RPDs were fitted with a side [[Rail system (firearms)|rail]] (attached to the left side of the receiver) to accept an [[Night vision device#Soviet Union and Russia|NSP-2]] [[night vision sight]].{{Cn|date=January 2021}}

===Accessories===
Standard accessories issued with the weapon include a [[Sling (firearms)|sling]], extra ammunition drums and belts (with either belt or shoulder pouches for same), [[Firearm maintenance#Lubrication|oil bottle]], [[cleaning rod]] (carried in a slot on the left side of the receiver),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/D8KLO6A.jpg|title=cleaning kit}}</ref> (stowed in a compartment inside the stock), and drop case.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}

The cleaning kit consists of a rectangular metal clam-shell case that typically contains the following tools and spare parts: pin [[Punch (tool)|punch]] (used for disassembling the bolt), cleaning jag, multi-tool (includes screwdriver, small and large wrenches used for adjusting the front sight and gas system, respectively, and a notch for installing and removing the cleaning jag on the cleaning rod), broken case extractor, front sight adjustment tool, gas tube scraping tool, gas port reamer, spare extractor, spare extractor spring, spare firing pin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/CLEANING-TOOL-SPARE-PARTS-KIT-RPD-7p34.htm|title=CLEANING – TOOL – SPARE PARTS KIT – RPD|website=RTG Parts, LLC|language=en|access-date=2017-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043458/http://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/CLEANING-TOOL-SPARE-PARTS-KIT-RPD-7p34.htm|archive-date=2017-12-01|url-status=live}}</ref> 

There are a number of spring steel "fingers" on the lid of the clam-shell case which press on the contents of the cleaning kit when closed to prevent rattling. One end of the clam-shell case has a notch from which the screwdriver end of the multi-tool can protrude.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}

==Variants==
During its service life, the weapon was modernized several times. Initially, the gas block was modified as was the rear sight, where the windage adjustment knob for the rear sight was moved to the left side of the notch. Later, the RPD was modified with a non-reciprocating cocking mechanism with a folding [[charging handle]] (replacing the fixed charging handle connected to the bolt carrier) that does not move during firing. The feed port received a dust cover, which when open, serves as a feeding ramp for the ammunition belt. This version of the light machine gun was produced mainly in China and Poland. 

A further modified variant (sometimes referred to as the '''RPDM''') includes an extended gas cylinder and a [[recoil buffer]] mechanism in the stock. Late production RPD variants also had the fixed drum attachment removed (instead, the ammunition container was "hung" from the feed port cover) and feature a folding cleaning rod, that is stored in the weapon's butt (in the Chinese Type 56-1 variant).<ref name="wozniak" />

===DS Arms RPD===
American firearm manufacturer DS Arms makes a semi-auto variant for civil market and a full-auto variant for export, both in the original design and also in a modernized version called '''RPD Carbine'''. The RPD Carbine has a [[Fluting (firearms)|fluted]] 17.5-inch barrel, modern front sight, alloy [[handguard]] with rails, [[M249 light machine gun|M249]]-type pistol grip and [[M4 carbine|M4]] recoil spring tube and buttstock.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnston|first1=Gary Paul|title=The 21st Century RPD|url=https://www.sofmag.com/the-21st-century-rpd/|publisher=Soldier of Fortune|access-date=30 May 2017|date=December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823234521/https://www.sofmag.com/the-21st-century-rpd/|archive-date=23 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Chevraux|first1=Jacob|title=Gun Review: DS Arms RPD Carbine: An affordable belt-fed rifle|url=http://www.guns.com/review/ds-arms-rpd-carbine/|publisher=Guns.com|access-date=30 May 2017|date=February 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008230928/http://www.guns.com/review/ds-arms-rpd-carbine/|archive-date=8 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Civilian variants===
Because semi-auto RPD variants are manufactured using de-[[Milling (machining)|milled]] parts kits from full-auto RPD machine guns, in order to comply with [[ATF regulations]] the full-auto parts must be modified such that the resulting [[semi-auto rifle]] cannot be readily [[Firearm modification|converted]] into a machine gun. Numerous machining operations are necessary to modify the de-milled full-auto RPD parts for use in a semi-auto RPD receiver. For example, the side rails on the bolt carrier must be machined to fit into the slots of the semi-auto receiver, which are purposefully made too narrow to accept an unmodified full-auto RPD bolt carrier. Additional portions of the bolt carrier that are necessary for full-auto firing, such as the sear engagement surface, must be machined off during the semi-auto conversion process. 

Semi-auto RPD variants must also fire from a closed bolt, which requires the addition of a striker mechanism and other fire control group parts that are not found on full-auto RPD machine guns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1867|title=Semiautomatic RPD Build|website=www.smallarmsreview.com|access-date=2017-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033402/http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1867|archive-date=2017-12-01|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Users==
{{More citations needed section|date=January 2021}}
[[File:RPD Users.png|thumb|A map with RPD users in blue and former users in red]]<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
{{div col}}
* {{flag|Afghanistan}}<ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.</ref>
* {{flag|Albania}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Algeria}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Angola}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Azerbaijan}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Bangladesh}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Benin}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Bolivia}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-24 |title=wiw_sa_bolivia worldinventory |url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_bolivia |access-date=2023-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124203425/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_bolivia |archive-date=2016-11-24 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Burundi}}: Burundian rebels<ref name ='SAS 2007 6'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2007.html|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2007/en/full/Small-Arms-Survey-2007-Chapter-06-EN.pdf|chapter=Armed Violence in Burundi: Conflict and Post-Conflict Bujumbura|title=The Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=2007|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|page=204|isbn=978-0-521-88039-8|access-date=2018-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827001033/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2007.html|archive-date=2018-08-27|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Cambodia}},<ref name="jones2009" /> including Type 56s<ref>{{cite book|title=The War in Cambodia 1970–75|url=https://archive.org/details/warcambodia197075conb|url-access=limited|series=Men-at-Arms 209|first1=Kenneth |last1=Conboy|first2= Ken |last2=Bowra|date=15 June 1989 |isbn=9780850458510|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]|page=[https://archive.org/details/warcambodia197075conb/page/n40 41]}}</ref>
* {{flag|Cape Verde}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Central African Republic}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Chad}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Comoros}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Congo-Brazzaville}}<ref name ='SAS 2003 263'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2003.html|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2003/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2003-Chapter-08-EN.pdf|chapter=Making the Difference?: Weapon Collection and Small Arms Availability in the Republic of Congo|title=Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=2003|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|pages=267|isbn=0199251754|ref={{harvid|Small Arms Survey 2003}}|access-date=2018-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829175229/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2003.html|archive-date=2018-08-29|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Congo-Kinshasa}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Djibouti}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Egypt|1984}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Equatorial Guinea}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Eritrea}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Ethiopia}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Ghana}}{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Guinea}}{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flagicon|Hungary|civil}} [[People's Republic of Hungary|Hungary]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lugosi |first1=József |editor1-first=József |editor1-last=Lugosi |editor2-first=György |editor2-last=Markó |title=Hazánk dicsőségére: 160 éves a Magyar Honvédség |year=2008 |publisher=Zrínyi Kiadó|location=Budapest |isbn=978-963-327-461-3 |page=384 |chapter=Gyalogsági fegyverek 1868–2008}}</ref>
* {{flag|Indonesia}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-25 |title=RPD: Eksistensi Senapan Mesin Regu Legendaris TNI/Polri |url=https://www.indomiliter.com/rpd-eksistensi-senapan-mesin-regu-legendaris-tnipolri/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Indomiliter.com |language=id|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411231453/https://www.indomiliter.com/rpd-eksistensi-senapan-mesin-regu-legendaris-tnipolri/|archive-date= April 11, 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Iraq}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Ivory Coast}}<ref name='SAS RCI 2012'>{{cite report|language=fr|title=Enquête nationale sur les armes légères et de petit calibre en Côte d'Ivoire: les défis du contrôle des armes et de la lutte contre la violence armée avant la crise post-électorale|first=Savannah|last=de Tessières|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]], Commission Nationale de Lutte contre la Prolifération et la Circulation Illicite des Armes Légères et de Petit Calibre and [[Small Arms Survey]]|date=April 2012|series=Special Report No. 14|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/C-Special-reports/SAS-SR14-CoteIvoire.pdf|page=74|access-date=2018-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009102938/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/C-Special-reports/SAS-SR14-CoteIvoire.pdf|archive-date=2018-10-09|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Laos}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Lesotho}}<ref name="Beyond Blue Helmets">{{cite book|title=Beyond Blue Helmets: Promoting Weapons and Ammunition Management in Non-UN Peace Operations|first=Eric G. |last=Berman|publisher=[[Small Arms Survey]]/MPOME |date=March 2019|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-MPOME-Report-WAM-Non-UN-Peace-Ops.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603103636/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-MPOME-Report-WAM-Non-UN-Peace-Ops.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 3, 2019|page=43}}</ref>
* {{flag|Libya}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Malta}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Mongolia}}{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* {{flag|Morocco}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Nicaragua}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Nigeria}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Niger}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.africa/2023/03/niger-special-forces-fielding-bulgarian-made-ar-m52t-assault-rifles/|title=Nigér special forces fielding Bulgarian made AR-M52T assault rifles|date=30 March 2023 |quote=The country’s special forces contingent were seen during the Flintlock 2023 joint exercise with the Bulgarian firearm. The country’s military forces typically uses the various variants of the Soviet-built AKMs assault rifle, RPD and RPK squad automatic weapons, as well as the Chinese Type 56 assault rifle.|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408095510/https://www.military.africa/2023/03/niger-special-forces-fielding-bulgarian-made-ar-m52t-assault-rifles/|archive-date= April 8, 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|North Korea}}<ref name="jones2009" /> Type 62<ref>{{cite magazine|title=North Korean Small Arms (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)|magazine=Small Arms Review|volume=16|issue=2|date=June 2012|url=https://smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1108|access-date=2019-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202212301/https://smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1108|archive-date=2019-02-02|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Pakistan}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Peru}}
* {{flag|Romania}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Rwanda}}
* {{flag|Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic}}: used on [[Land Rover Series|Land Rovers]]<ref name="Technicals 15">{{cite book|title=Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces|series=New Vanguard 257|first=Leigh|last=Neville|date=19 Apr 2018|isbn=9781472822512|publisher=Osprey Publishing|page=15|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mGlPDwAAQBAJ|access-date=25 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064443/https://books.google.fr/books?id=mGlPDwAAQBAJ|archive-date=26 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Seychelles}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Sierra Leone}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Somalia}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Sudan}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Syria}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Tanzania}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Togo}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Uganda}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{UKR}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noir |first=War |title=Weaponry of the Georgian Combatants in Ukraine's Territorial Defence Forces Following the Invasion |url=https://www.militantwire.com/p/post-invasion-weaponry-used-by-georgian |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=www.militantwire.com |language=en|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215213223/https://www.militantwire.com/p/post-invasion-weaponry-used-by-georgian|archive-date= February 15, 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|United States}}: Modified version issued to [[MACVSOG]], with shortened barrel and 125 round belt<ref>{{Cite web |last=Association |first=National Rifle |title=An Official Journal Of The NRA {{!}} Behind Enemy Lines: Guns of Vietnam's SOG Warriors |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/behind-enemy-lines-guns-of-vietnam-s-sog-warriors/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=An Official Journal Of The NRA |language=en|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210012059/https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/behind-enemy-lines-guns-of-vietnam-s-sog-warriors/|archive-date= December 10, 2022}}</ref> 
* {{flag|Vietnam}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Yemen}}<ref name="jones2009" />
* {{flag|Zimbabwe}}<ref name="jones2009" />
{{div col end}}

===Former users===
* {{flag|China}}: Type 56 and Type 56-1.<ref name="miller2001">Miller, David (2001). ''The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns''. Salamander Books Ltd. {{ISBN|1-84065-245-4}}.</ref> Superseded by the [[Type 81 assault rifle#Variants|Type 81 LMG]] and [[QBB-95#Variants|QBB-95 LSW]] in service, formerly produced by [[Norinco]].
* {{flagicon|East Germany}} [[East Germany]] (former user). Locally designated lMG D or ''leichtes Maschinengewehr Degtjarjow'' (lit. light machine gun Degtyaryov).<ref>{{cite web |title=Bewaffnung |url=http://www.fallschirmjaeger-nva.de/index.php/bewaffnung.html |website=fallschirmjaeger-nva.de|language=de|access-date=25 July 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317123714/http://www.fallschirmjaeger-nva.de/index.php/bewaffnung.html|archive-date= March 17, 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Finland}}<ref name="jones2009" /> (no longer in use) locally designated name '''7.62 kk 54 RPD'''
* {{flag|Georgia}}: Used by different armed groups in 1990s, out of service.<ref name='SAS 1998 4'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/B-Occasional-papers/SAS-OP06-Georgia.pdf|title=Politics From The Barrel of a Gun|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=1998|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|pages=40|access-date=2018-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705130823/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/B-Occasional-papers/SAS-OP06-Georgia.pdf|archive-date=2017-07-05|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Israel}}<ref>{{cite news|title=מתנות מהאויב: ההיסטוריה המפותלת של נשק השלל|url=http://www.mako.co.il/pzm-magazine/Article-4aa601ad1475451006.htm?Partner=rss|access-date=28 November 2017|publisher=[[Keshet Media Group#Mako|Mako]]|date=27 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205184539/http://www.mako.co.il/pzm-magazine/Article-4aa601ad1475451006.htm?Partner=rss|archive-date=5 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Rhodesia}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wessels |first1=Hannes |title=A Handful of Hard Men: The SAS and the Battle for Rhodesia |date=October 19, 2015 |publisher=Casemate |location=South Africa |isbn=978-1-61200-345-0 |edition=illustrated}}</ref>
* {{flag|Soviet Union}}

===Non-state users===
* [[People's Movement for the Liberation of Azawad]]<ref name='SAS 2005'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2005.html|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2005/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2005-Chapter-06-EN.pdf|chapter=Sourcing the Tools of War: Small Arms Supplies to Conflict Zones|title=Small Arms Survey 2005: Weapons at War|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=2005|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|page=166|isbn=978-0-19-928085-8|access-date=2018-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830004838/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2005.html|archive-date=2018-08-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Wars==
{{div col}}
*[[Vietnam War]]
*[[Portuguese Colonial War]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Portuguese Military Procurement During the Colonial War (1961-1974)|url=https://repositorio.iscte-iul.pt/bitstream/10071/20948/1/Master_Joao_Gomes_Timoteo.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509160124/https://repositorio.iscte-iul.pt/bitstream/10071/20948/1/Master_Joao_Gomes_Timoteo.pdf|archive-date= May 9, 2022}}</ref>
*[[Guatemalan Civil War]]
*[[Colombian conflict]]
*[[Laotian Civil War]]
*[[Suez Crisis]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Soviet RPD light-machine gun|website=iwm.org.uk|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30029678|access-date=2018-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127022618/https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30029678|archive-date=2018-11-27|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Sino-Indian War]]
*[[Cambodian Civil War]]
*[[Six-Day War]]<ref name="Arabs">{{cite book|title=Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars 1948–73|series=Men-at-Arms 128|first=John |last=Laffin|date=15 Jun 1982|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=9780850454512|pages=30–31}}</ref>
*[[Battle of Karameh]]
*[[Black September]]
*[[Indonesian invasion of East Timor]]
*[[Yom Kippur War]]<ref name="Arabs2">{{cite book|title=Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2)|url=https://archive.org/details/arabarmiesmiddle02katz|url-access=limited|series=Men-at-Arms 128|first= Sam |last=Katz |date=24 Mar 1988|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=9780850458008|page=[https://archive.org/details/arabarmiesmiddle02katz/page/n37 39]}}</ref>
*[[Rhodesian Bush War]]
*[[South African Border War]]
*[[Angolan Civil War]]
*[[Mozambican Civil War]]
*[[Nathu La and Cho La clashes]]
*[[Bangladesh Liberation War]]<ref>{{cite news|date=29 December 2017 |title=Arms for freedom|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/bangladesh-liberation-war-1971-muktijuddho-guerrilla-fighter-arms-freedom-1511812|access-date=2019-08-31|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213094659/https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/bangladesh-liberation-war-1971-muktijuddho-guerrilla-fighter-arms-freedom-1511812|archive-date= February 13, 2023}}</ref>
*[[Western Sahara War]]<ref name="Technicals 15"/>
*[[Lebanese Civil War]]<ref name="Lebanon">{{cite book|title=Armies in Lebanon 1982–84|url=https://archive.org/details/armieslebanon00katz|url-access=limited|series=Men-at-Arms 165|first1=Sam|last1= Katz|first2= Lee E|last2= Russell|date=25 Jul 1985|isbn=9780850456028|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]|page=[https://archive.org/details/armieslebanon00katz/page/n43 44]}}</ref>
*[[Ethiopian Civil War]]
*[[Shaba II]]<ref name="Congo">{{cite magazine|title=Les armes de Kolwezi|first=Jacques|last=Sicard|pages=25–30|magazine=La Gazette des armes|language=fr|url=http://fr.1001mags.com/parution/gazette-des-armes/numero-111-novembre-1982/page-28-29-texte-integral|issue=111|date=November 1982|access-date=2018-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019075744/http://fr.1001mags.com/parution/gazette-des-armes/numero-111-novembre-1982/page-28-29-texte-integral|archive-date=2018-10-19|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Cambodian–Vietnamese War]]
*[[Sino-Vietnamese War]]
*[[Soviet–Afghan War]]<ref name="Afghan">{{cite book|title=The War in Afghanistan 1979–1989: The Soviet Empire at High Tide|url=https://archive.org/details/warafghanistan00isby|url-access=limited|first=David C.|last=Isby|publisher= Concord Publications |date=1990|page=[https://archive.org/details/warafghanistan00isby/page/n5 14]|isbn=978-9623610094}}</ref>
*[[Nicaraguan Revolution]]
*[[Salvadoran Civil War]]
*[[Somali Civil War]]<ref name ='SAS 2012 10'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2012/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2012-Chapter-10-EN.pdf|chapter=Surveying the Battlefield: Illicit Arms In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia|title=Small Arms Survey 2012: Moving Targets|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=2012|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|pages=339|isbn=978-0-521-19714-4|access-date=2018-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831002411/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html|archive-date=2018-08-31|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Tuareg rebellion (1990–1995)]]
*[[Iran-Iraq War]]
*[[Sri Lankan civil war]]
*[[Gulf War]]
*[[Yugoslav Wars]]
*[[Rwandan Civil War]]
*[[Burundian Civil War]]
*[[Republic of the Congo Civil War (1997–99)|Congo Civil War]]
*[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
*[[Iraq War]]
*[[Ivorian Civil War (disambiguation)|Ivorian Civil Wars]]
*[[Thai–Laotian Border War]]
*[[War in North-West Pakistan]]
*[[Cambodian–Thai border dispute|Cambodian–Thai border stand-off]]
*[[First Libyan Civil War]]
*[[Syrian Civil War]]
*[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
*[[Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)]]
*[[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]]
*[[OLA insurgency]]
*[[Tigray War]]
*[[War in Amhara]]{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[KB-P 790|Degtyarev-Garanin KB-P 790]]
* [[FN Minimi]]
* [[IWI Negev]]
* [[HK MG4]]
* [[PKP Pecheneg machine gun]]
* [[RPL-20]]
* [[Daewoo Precision Industries K3]]
* [[Ultimax 100]]
* [[IP-2]]
* [[List of modern Russian small arms and light weapons]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
* {{cite book| last = Gander| first = Terry|author2=Charles Q. Cutshaw | date = February 2002| title = Jane's Infantry Weapons, 2002–2003| publisher = Jane's Information Group| location = Surrey, United Kingdom| isbn = 978-0-7106-2434-5}}
* {{cite book| last = Woźniak| first = Ryszard| year = 2002| title = Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej—tom 4 R-Z| publisher = Bellona| location = Warsaw, Poland| isbn = 83-11-09312-1}}

==External links==
{{Commons|RPD}}
* [https://archive.org/details/soviet-rpd-light-machine-gun-manual-degtyaryov-1961 Soviet RPD Manual Covering Operation and Repair]
* [https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/russia-machineguns/rpd-eng/ Modern Firearms]

{{Soviet infantry weapons of World War II}}

[[Category:7.62×39mm machine guns]]
[[Category:Infantry weapons of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Cold War firearms of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Light machine guns]]
[[Category:Machine guns of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1944]]
[[Category:Long stroke piston firearms]]
[[Category:Squad automatic weapons]]