Russia selects new assault rifles

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Russia has selected the AK-12 and the AK-103-4 as the new service rifles for its army. Both firearms are manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern, which is also the designer and developer.

“We have already made a deal and selected assault rifles from the Izhmash plant at Izhevsk. It won in terms of cost to effectiveness. The quality is also acceptable for us,” Deputy Minister of Defense Yuriy Borisov stated recently on Russian radio.

The AK-12 is chambered in 5.45×39 mm, and the 7.62×39 mm AK-103-4. It is very similar to its predecessor, the AK-74M, and has some common parts. The Russian army is expecting that the price tag of the AK-12 will be 25% higher than the AK-74M.

The AK-12 is a fifth generation AK-pattern rifle, featuring several ergonomic improvements, a bolt catch, accessory rails, and a telescopic buttstock. The AK-12 is also has a lower recoil impulse than the AK-74M.

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Design work on the AK-12 began in August 2011. The first prototype was unveiled on January 24 2012. The rifle is fed from 30 round AK-74 box magazines, but 60 and 95 rounds magazines are also available.

The AK-12 is set to be used exclusively by the elite Russian units equipped with Ratnik systems. The remainder of the Russian Army is expected to use an upgraded AK-74M, developed by Kalashnikov under military requirements and specifications.

Meanwhile, a carbine variant of the AK-12, chambered in 7.62 mm, was selected by the Russian Federal Protective Service (FSO) to replace its current AKS-74U and AK-104 carbines and AK-103 rifles.

The new assault rifles are part of the Ratnik soldier modernization program aimed to improve the effectiveness soldiers on the battlefield. The system consists of 50 components, including small arms, sights, and ballistic protection, as well as communication and navigation devices.