“Kalashnikov began to mass-produce an analog of the American M4 rifle
Kalashnikov intends to start shipping AK-12s early next year. The design of the machine was updated to reflect the Russian-Ukrainian war. This became known from Alan Lushnikov, who holds the position of president of the arms concern.
He claims that the AK-12 has undergone a “serious” modernization, which took into account the comments of operators. Allegedly, the concern has already begun mass production of the improved machines. The first batch will be shipped to the customer represented by the Ministry of Defense next month.
According to Defense Express, the AK-12 prototype made its debut in 2011. The machine was introduced to the general public in 2012. The Russian army received it in 2018. At the same time, the AK-12 was put into production.
The AK-12 is positioned as a response to the American M4 assault rifle. Last spring, the Russian military, which uses it, began to complain about the lack of regular PBS-1s.
Last summer, Volodymyr Lepin, who holds the position of the Concern’s CEO, announced the introduction of the next design changes to the AK-12. In fact, the machine has been “demodernized.” The designers changed the ergonomics of the weapon and also abandoned the two-shot burst mode.
The problem with the lack of standard mufflers was solved by installing a non-removable flame arrestor. The final version of the AK-12 of the 2023 model range was presented by the arms concern in May this year. Kalashnikov’s statement on the matter stated that the “demodernized” AK-12/23 was being tested. The first batch of machines will be delivered to the customer in the second half of the year.
