|
|
|||
|
Defence & Security News - Russia
|
|||
|
|
|||
| Rostec expects a decision on the AK-12 by the end of year | |||
|
Kalashnikov, a Rostec company, has announced that it is ready to provide the first batch of the new assault rifles. Rostec’s CEO, Sergei Chemezov, said that the first AK-12 and AK-15 will be delivered to the Ministry of Defence, and that a final decision on whether they will officially enter service is expected in this year.
|
|||
|
|
|||
 The AK-12 is Kalashnikov's offer for the new Russian Armed Forces' assault rifle |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Sergei Chemezov also said that five new facilities of the Kalashnikov company were inaugurated on 27 April. The new infrastructure has a surface of 49,000 sq.m. The overall cost of the facilities and new engineering equipment is estimated at EUR31.3 million. The new investment will increase the efficiency in many areas. For example, it will reduce energy cost by 10% and, development and production of new products to three months instead of six. If finally selected, the AK-12 assault rifle will replace the AK-74 and AK-100 series. Although it retains some common parts with the older rifles, it has been significantly improved in its ergonomics. The first rifles were presented in 2012 and since then it has gone through modifications and improvements as per the Russian Army’s standards. As a weapon system it will be part of the Ratnik soldier’s standard rifle. The AK-12 is offered in different calibres including the NATO 5.56x45 mm and 7.62x39 mm ones, as the company aims at the export market. The rifle is being designed as a basic platform for the development of nearly 20 different modifications of the weapon. It has a number of features that make it different from the previous series. Advanced technology and materials were used for the development of the new weapon, and more than ten new inventions will be used in making various models of the Kalashnikov rifle. Therefore, the AK-12 may become the basic model for future developments. |
|||
