The PKM is a belt-fed general-purpose machine gun, chambered for the 7.62×54mmR rimmed cartridge. Designed in the Soviet Union by Izhevsk Mechanical Plant and currently in production in Russia, the original PK machine gun was introduced in 1961 and the improved PKM variant was introduced in 1969. The PKM was subsequently adopted by all Warsaw Pact nations and remains one of the most widespread machine guns in use today. The airsoft PKM is a relatively recent introduction to the industry only A&K making an airsoft PKM in the form of the A&K Airsoft PKM LMG AEG (Wood Stock Version) and A&K Airsoft PKM LMG AEG (Black Polymer Stock Version) with LCT offering a modernized version of the airsoft PKM, the airsoft PKP in the form of the LCT Airsoft PKP LMG AEG.