They announced earlier this year that they will be adopting the "AK-12" in 2012. They haven't released all of the design details, but it will be chambered in 5.45, 5.56, 7.62, and a DM caliber.
They will have ambi controls, and other modern upgrades to the AK design. We expect a recoil compensated action like the AK-108.
Special forces may continue to use AEK-94 recoil operated 5.45 rifle. It's pretty insane for what it is.
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Get the largest caliber you can fire accurately, rapidly, in the largest gun useful for the purpose.
will they still be producing the old ak? or are they completely switching over?
Russia hasn't used the old 7.62x39 AK47 since the mid 1970s. The Soviets/Russians made the change over to the smaller 5.45 caliber and it would seem that the rest of the world (africa, asia, middle east etc) never did.
But Russia kept making them and their newer series AK 74s and 100 series for export to all those other nations.
I would suspect they will be continuing to make them for some time to continue filling the export demands.
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It's not always the size of the dog in the fight. Often it's the size of the fight in the dog.
An interesting article, I will be even more interested to see if they go through with this and do replace the AK with a "Western" rifle of some sorts.
There is truth in the concept though, development is an expensive endeavor. While I hope we do not follow suit I can certainly understand the argument for letting someone else bear the cost of developing the new systems and only adopting them after they have proven themselves.
Russia hasn't used the old 7.62x39 AK47 since the mid 1970s. The Soviets/Russians made the change over to the smaller 5.45 caliber and it would seem that the rest of the world (africa, asia, middle east etc) never did.
But Russia kept making them and their newer series AK 74s and 100 series for export to all those other nations.
I would suspect they will be continuing to make them for some time to continue filling the export demands.
I expect both the 47 and 74 variants to be produced for a long time to come.
Russia hasn't used the old 7.62x39 AK47 since the mid 1970s. The Soviets/Russians made the change over to the smaller 5.45 caliber and it would seem that the rest of the world (africa, asia, middle east etc) never did.
But Russia kept making them and their newer series AK 74s and 100 series for export to all those other nations.
I would suspect they will be continuing to make them for some time to continue filling the export demands.
The Russians have been field testing a variety of calibers for some time now. The prevailing caliber since 2003 is the 7.62x39. It seems they are going back to that for cover/armor penetration. They may be developing new ammo, like our SS109, which is in fact armor piercing FMJ but breaks up on impact with flesh. Who really knows though. We'll see!
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Get the largest caliber you can fire accurately, rapidly, in the largest gun useful for the purpose.
Actrually, there are lots of Russian units still using the AKM and AK-103/AK-104 in 7.62x39. Russian Naval Infantry (Marines) still use it as their main issue rifle. A number of different Federal Police and Security agencies still issue it, as well as limited issue with SPETZNAZ troops. It is still very popular in Russia.
Actrually, there are lots of Russian units still using the AKM and AK-103/AK-104 in 7.62x39. Russian Naval Infantry (Marines) still use it as their main issue rifle. A number of different Federal Police and Security agencies still issue it, as well as limited issue with SPETZNAZ troops. It is still very popular in Russia.
Shotgun News had a fantastic article a few months ago on the Kalashnikovs used in Russia's conflict with Afghanistan. They did mention Russia was still using AKs in 7.62x39 because theyre so much easier to suppress.
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-Captain America
Last edited by St Andrews Fall; 01-12-2012 at 09:21 AM.
It appears that the ministry simply wanted to save some money so they preferred not to sign any deals with domestic defense enterprises in the sum of over 100 billion rubles. As a result, the Russian army has not received strategic missiles and many other things. It seems that Russia has too many strategic missiles too.
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