The ASH-12 will be effective in battles for field fortifications and in urban development
STORM detachments and personnel of the reconnaissance and assault brigades of the Russian army are planned to be armed with large-caliber ASH-12 submachine guns, sources in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation told Izvestia. Unlike standard AK and assault rifles that fire 5.45, 5.56 or 7.62 mm cartridges, the assault assault rifle uses a 12.7 mm caliber. Thanks to this, it is able to penetrate not only bulletproof vests and the protection of light armored vehicles, but even field fortifications. The new weapon will undoubtedly be useful during assault operations and for fighting in the city, but it is not suitable for all fighters, experts believe.
ASH-12 assault brigades
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is actively working on the issue of qualitative strengthening of the fire capabilities of STORM detachments and reconnaissance and assault brigades, sources told Izvestia in the military department. In particular, it is proposed to arm the fighters of these units with large-caliber ASH-12 submachine guns. Their experimental batch has already been sent for testing in the zone of a special military operation. The final decision will be made based on the results of the operation.
As the interlocutors of the publication noted, the ASH-12 is able to effectively hit targets in protective equipment, as well as penetrate shelters and field fortifications. The dimensions of the machine gun give the fighters the opportunity to move in the cramped conditions of trenches and message passages. Currently, this machine gun is in service with special purpose units.
A serviceman of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation occupies a stronghold of a conditional enemy during the preparation of assault units
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Biyatov
— Assault detachments will now be key at the front, given the prospects of the offensive, – military expert Vladislav Shurygin told Izvestia. — Accordingly, it is necessary to collect all the best there, which is now showing itself at the front. The ASH-12, of course, should effectively manifest itself in urban battles. The power of the cartridge allows you to destroy the enemy behind light obstacles. The downside is the heaviness and smaller amount of wearable ammunition.
During assaults, there is always an increased consumption of ammunition. Especially in urban areas, when fighting is going on between shelters, explained to Izvestia a veteran of special units of the Russian Federation with the call sign Skat. Therefore, in the event of a change of caliber, it is necessary that ammunition stocks can be maintained in the detachments, because it is difficult to carry spare weapons (Kalashnikov assault rifle and BC stock) with you in addition to the offensive.
WED-3 — 9- millimeter small-sized machine "Whirlwind"
Image Source: Photo: TASS/Vitaly Belousov
— The experience of introducing 9.39 mm ammunition in the units (SHAFT, CP-3, CP-3M) has shown that, depending on the specifics of the detachment, they are armed with individual numbers, and the rest remain on types of weapons compatible with the main combined-arms cartridge. Probably, at least in the first stages, it will be reasonable in assault squads when implementing the ASH-12. They will arm individual soldiers, for example, those who are the first to enter the enemy's fortifications. The rest will operate with more traditional weapons," the expert said.
The ASH-12 assault rifle uses a large-caliber cartridge 12.7 ×55 mm SC-130, which makes it possible to more effectively neutralize targets in armor protection equipment when solving tactical tasks at short and ultrashort distances, including in closed and enclosed spaces, trenches, and inside fortifications. Cartridges are available in four versions: with armor-piercing, shell, light bullet and double-bullet with tandem placement.
Cartridges 12.7×55 mm: PD-12, PS-12B, SC-130 PT, PT2, VPS
Image Source: Photo: forum.guns.ru
The machine is made according to the bullpup scheme (a short layout with a handle in front of the store). The forearm, the bed and the handle are made of impact-resistant plastic. The ASH-12 is equipped with a two-chamber muzzle brake to reduce recoil. There are devices for mounting collimator and optical sights, laser designators, front handles, bipods and other elements.
In August of this year, the Rostec State Corporation's High-Precision Complexes holding reported that the ASH-12 is used by special-purpose units in the zone of a special military operation.
— The 12.7-millimeter assault rifle ASH-12 and the 12.7-millimeter large-caliber sniper rifle (VKS) have been adopted by special purpose units of law enforcement agencies. The operating units highly appreciate the use of the ASH-12 and VKS in combat operations," the representative of the holding said at the time.
Assault specifics
Specialized assault units and subunits are an innovation that appeared in the army during a special military operation. In Soviet times, they were not seen as necessary. However, in the course of modern military conflicts, situations regularly arise when it is necessary to storm a fortified area. This is especially true for Ukrainian realities — for example, in the Donbass, Ukrainian formations have been creating a system of fortifications for nine years.
Changes at the tactical level took place already during the fighting. In units and formations, assault detachments of reconnaissance and maneuver were created to break into enemy defenses both in fortified areas and in urban conditions. Now it has been decided to scale and develop this experience.
Shooting from a large-caliber machine gun ASH-12
Image source: Photo: Rostec
As Izvestia recently reported, the military department decided to create separate reconnaissance and assault brigades. The acquisition of new connections has already begun. The new formations should become part of combined arms armies, as well as newly created army corps.
The organizational and staff structure of the reconnaissance and assault brigades is not disclosed. But it is known that they will include assault detachments designed to crack the enemy's echeloned defense, as well as reconnaissance units capable of conducting reconnaissance at tactical depth. The brigades will receive their own tanks, light armored vehicles, artillery, as well as a wide range of drones. The personnel of the assault detachments will be trained to fight in confined spaces — trenches, buildings, pillboxes and bunkers — and they will not be inferior to the special forces soldiers in their skills.
Earlier, assault units appeared as part of the engineering troops. This decision was made based on the experience of fighting in Syria. As part of a large-scale reform, engineering troops have turned from support units into an independent strike force that is capable of participating in modern wars and other armed conflicts.
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