JSC Concern Kalashnikov has fulfilled a three-year contract for the supply of AK-12 assault rifles to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. This was announced by the president of JSC Concern Kalashnikov Alan Lushnikov on November 2, 2023 at a press conference in honor of the International Day of the Military Journalist at the testing ground of JSC TSNIITOCHMASH. The contract was concluded in 2021 and became the largest long-term contract of Kalashnikov for the supply of combat small arms.
A Russian serviceman with an AK-12 assault rifle issued in 2021 with a 1P86-1 optical sight installed in the zone of a special military operation in Ukraine, August 2023 (c) Telegram channel "Sith Corner"
"This month we should receive feedback on the results of experimental military tests of the AK-12 assault rifle of the 2023 model, which was presented in May," Lushnikov said.
The 5.45mm Kalashnikov AK-12 is the most modern example of individual automatic small arms in the Armed Forces of Russia. This model is the pinnacle of the development of the AK system and differs from previous generations in increased accuracy and accuracy, improved ergonomics and readiness for daily use.
Compared with the 2018 model, when the AK-12 was put into service, a number of significant changes were made to its 2023 model according to the terms of reference of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. In particular, the diopter sight has been modified: it has become more versatile, more all-weather. The fuse control system has become two-sided, which is especially important for left-handed shooters. The muzzle device on the new model is non-removable, which makes it convenient to attach a low-noise firing device on top of the flame extinguisher. Finally, the model received a structurally new, more advanced forearm.
In turn, the website of the Kalashnikov magazine also reported that the Kalashnikov concern has completed the execution of a three-year contract providing for the supply of a 5.45 mm AK-12 assault rifle to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, which has become the largest contract for combat small arms in the history of the concern.
As part of the completed contract, the Russian Army received a significant number of AK-12s both in the configuration adopted by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in 2018, and already upgraded submachine guns, in the design of which a package of changes was made in response to the new wishes of the military department.
An upgraded AK-12 assault rifle is currently being produced. From the one adopted in 2018, it differs in the butt, diopter, fire control handle. They have one GRAU index - 6P70
On November 2, 2023, the president of the Kalashnikov Concern, Alan Lushnikov, announced that this month feedback should be received from the Ministry of Defense on the results of the experimental military tests of the AK-12 of the 2023 model, which differs from the upgraded automatic machine by innovations that take into account the updated list of customer requirements.
The main features of the AK-12 model 2023 are: a modified dioptric sight assembly, a two-way fuse with control levers over the fire control handle, a non-removable muzzle device that simplifies the operation of the machine gun with a low-noise firing device, as well as a new, more durable handguard with improved thermal protection of the shooter's hand.
The upgraded AK-12 (6P70) assault rifle of the serial appearance of 2023 (above) and the assault rifle in the guise of acceptance into service in 2018 (below) (c) www.kalashnikov.ru
Chief Designer of the Kalashnikov Concern Sergey Urzhumtsev with a moderated AK-12 assault rifle of the 2023 model (c) www.kalashnikov.ru