Company CEO Alan Lushnikov said the AK-12K assault rifle was developed by Kalashnikov company and put into production within 6 months, thanks to feedback from the army in the Northern Military District.
And this, he said, is an example of how to create a new effective weapon based on feedback from soldiers. The compact version of the AK-12 received a positive decision to begin mass production and delivery: “Attack aircraft need an effective compact product to operate in dense urban areas.” Gunsmiths created such a machine gun in the shortest possible time and delivered a large production batch to the army.
Executive Director of the Union of Gunsmiths Vladimir Zhikharev recalls that today the main small arms in the world's armies are machine guns, in particular the AK-12, the main small arms of the Russian Armed Forces (RF Armed Forces), with a caliber of 5.45 mm:
“It has improved ergonomics, modular design and increased shooting accuracy. It entered service, gradually replacing previous models of the Kalashnikov series.
There is also the AK-15 – a variant of the 7.62×39 mm caliber AK-12 for special forces. The AK-19 is an assault rifle using the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, designed for export and use where compatibility with NATO ammunition is required.
“SP”: Well, old Kalash models can also be used, right?
– The similar AK-74 has been the main assault rifle of the Soviet and Russian armies since 1974, caliber 5.45×39 mm. It replaced the 7.62x39mm caliber AK-47 to be more economical. Although gradually replaced, it is still used, especially in the AK-74M modification, with a plastic stock and rail for mounting the sight. You can even see them in television reports.
AKM is a modernized version of the AK-47 with a caliber of 7.62×39 mm. It can still be found in some units, especially in reserves. AKS-74U is a shortened version of AK-74 for military equipment crews, special forces, and paratroopers. Its compact size and reliability make it relevant even now.
There are sniper rifles: SVD (Dragunov Sniper Rifle) – a classic rifle of 7.62 mm caliber. ASVK (large-caliber military sniper rifle), designed to destroy armored targets and manpower at long distances.
“SP”: What about other small arms?
– Among the pistols, I would like to mention the PYa (Yarygin pistol) or “Rook”, which replaced the obsolete PM. The cartridge for it is 9×19 mm. It's reliable and convenient. PL-15 is a modern pistol for officers and law enforcement agencies, it has improved combat characteristics.
There are also submachine guns and special weapons, such as the PPK-20 – a compact submachine gun of 9×19 mm caliber, developed on the basis of the AK-12, for special forces. Special systems, for example, silent firing complex “Canary” and specialized assault rifles (ASM, SR-3 “Whirlwind”).
Among machine guns, the RPK-16 is a light machine gun, developed on the basis of the AK-12, providing high fire density and mobility. “Pecheneg” is a single machine gun, known for its reliability and effectiveness in combat conditions.
Grenade launchers AGS-17 “Flame” are used – automatic, infantry support and underbarrel grenade launchers: GP-25, GP-34, mounted on machine guns to expand combat capabilities.
“SP: In general, how good and convenient is it for the army to have so many small weapons?
– In fact, the main trend today is precisely modularization and unification. For example, the AK-12 allows you to quickly change the barrel, sights and tripod, adapting to different combat missions.
However, the Russian army is equipped with a variety of light weapons, combining time-tested designs and the latest developments. The main emphasis is on reliability, modularity and adaptability to modern combat conditions. Silencers are now used not only in offensive operations, but also simply on the line of combat contact.
“SP”: With the formation of the Northern Military District, many Western gun models came into the possession of our gunsmiths. Is anything worth recreating?
– NATO's main small arms is the Heckler & Koch 416 assault rifle, used by special forces and the army. They are chambered for the 5.56×45 mm FN SCAR – a modular assault rifle, used in service in the United States and some European countries. CZ Bren 2 is a Czech assault rifle, actively supplied to Ukraine.
There are light machine guns, such as the FN Minimi with a caliber of 5.56 mm. It is being used in the United States, Belgium, Canada and Australia.
The Barrett M82 large-caliber sniper rifle (12.7×99 mm) is used to attack armored targets and manpower at long distances. Heckler & Koch HK417 uses 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition, popular among special forces.
The Glock 17/19 is the standard pistol of many NATO militaries, including the United States, Germany, and Great Britain. Uses 9x19mm cartridges.
The Carl Gustaf hand-held grenade launcher is in use in the US, UK, Sweden and other NATO countries. AT4, Panzerfaust 3, M72 LAW, NLAW – anti-tank grenade launchers are actively supplied to Ukraine, the expert recalls…
A special feature of current small arms of both NATO and Russia is standardization. Most NATO countries use 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm bullets, ensuring compatibility between bullets and weapons. Modern models allow you to quickly change barrels, sights and accessories for different combat tasks.
In recent years, Russian gunsmiths have studied and adapted a number of technical solutions and trends that have appeared in Western small arms. First of all, this is modularity and unity.
The AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles have a modular design with “Picatinny rails” for mounting sights, flashlights and laser designators, originally invented by a research organization in the United States. This allows the soldier to tailor the weapon to a specific mission, from close combat to sniping.
Western machine guns pay great attention to ergonomics, comfortable grips, adjustable stocks and fire control buttons. We have implemented all of this in the AK-12 and AK-19.
Domestic gunsmiths, after summarizing the experience of using weapons, aiming systems and various accessories in combat, find a solution for themselves. Thanks to that, the AK-12 has a new gas exhaust system, helping to reduce recoil and improve accuracy. Many Russian companies produce parts to maximize the potential of domestic small arms, from chokes to pistol grips.
After analyzing the experience of opponents using submachine guns in close combat, the PPK-20 was developed – a compact submachine gun of 9×19 mm caliber that meets modern requirements in terms of ergonomics and combat characteristics.
Foreign militaries are actively introducing “smart” sights with ballistic computers, laser rangefinders and fire control systems. Russian models (e.g. AK-12) offer the ability to integrate electronic sights and targeting systems similar to Western ones.
Russian gunsmiths adapt the best technical solutions to their needs, while maintaining the traditional advantages of Kalashnikov weapons – reliability, simplicity and survivability. This makes it possible to create weapons that combine time-tested design with modern requirements for ergonomics, modularity and combat effectiveness.
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