Harsh realities in Ukraine help Russia upgrade AK-12

Kalashnikov Concern's design engineer said the new version of the AK-12 assault rifle was born from feedback from soldiers on the battlefield in Ukraine.

RG quoted Kalashnikov Concern designer Sergey Urzhumtsev as saying that the new version of the AK-12 assault rifle was born from feedback from soldiers on the Ukrainian battlefield. In the photo from left to right are the AK-12, AK-12K and AK-12SK.

The new version is called AK-12K with three different variations. Kalashnikov Concern representatives shared that the harsh reality in Ukraine shows that the large size of the assault rifle affects the combat, while the combat range is also shortened and requires more mobility.

Designer Urzhumtsev also emphasized that in some assault units the size of the weapon also contributed to the successes on the battlefield. Feedback from the battlefield posed to Kalashnikov Concern designers the problem of developing AK-12 variants for different tasks instead of using a common design as before.

With the AK-12K version, they use 5.45 mm ammunition based on suggestions from the Russian airborne forces. The barrel is shorter, making it easier to use in tight spaces - for example, in armored vehicles or in urban combat.

Ak-12k has a length of 810 mm, when folded the stock is 570 mm. Weight without magazine and additional equipment is 3.4 kg

The AK-12K's muzzle flash also has a different design than the AK-12. The gun still supports mounting a silencer.

The front grip of the AK-12K also has a shorter design and still allows for attachment of additional accessories.

As for the AK-12SK - the gun is a compact version of the AK-12, smaller and lighter. The length of the gun is 750 mm and 500 mm when the stock is folded. The weight of the gun is 3.2 kg excluding the magazine.

The AK-12SK design is suitable for special operations units, airborne troops or combat crews on motor vehicles.

The AK-12K and AK-12SK use 5.45×39mm ammunition, including basic and high-penetration and tracer rounds. They come with a standard 30-round magazine.

The new improvements of the AK-12K are based on the advantages of its predecessor, easier to handle and higher reliability.

"The new AK-12 versions have received great interest from our domestic customers, especially in the security forces. These are really good and effective guns, all of which have been tested on the battlefield and received positive feedback," said Kalashnikov Concern General Director Alan Lushnikov.

Kalashnikov Concern currently has a full range of light combat weapons in 5.45 mm and 7.62 mm calibers. “For us, this issue is very important when it comes to providing our customers with ready-made solutions,” Lushnikov stressed.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/thuc-te-khac-nghiep-o-ukraine-giup-nga-nang-cap-ak-12-post1542357.html