AK 47 a Lord of war

[TsarSamuil]

Russia: Mikhail Kalashnikov memorial unveiled at Military Cemetery near Moscow.

Ruptly TV
Dec 23, 2015



A monument dedicated to the creator of Russia's legendary AK-47 Kalashnikov assault rifle was unveiled at the Federal Military Memorial Cemetery in Mytishchi, just outside of Moscow, Wednesday.

[TsarSamuil]

Russia Defense Report: AK-12 or AK-74M3?

South Front
May 7, 2016

[TsarSamuil]

Kalashnikov designs superior assault rifle for Russian Special forces.

RT.com
19 May, 2016 20:46

Russian weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov has reportedly offered Russia’s Special Forces a brand new adaptive assault rifle, which outmatches all of its previous products.

The AK-400 is superior to the tried and true AK-74 and state-of-the-art AK-12 in terms of both precision and fire dispersion, a source within the Russian military industry told Izvestia newspaper.

“AK-400 assault rifles were presented in late 2015 at a meeting organized by the Presidential Security Service. The products have interested customers, and they are now studying the offer,” he said.

According to the source, the AK-12, which has been in service in the Russian military since 2014, doesn’t fully meet the requirements of elite Special Forces.

“AK-12 is a weapon for the infantry, paratroopers, and reconnoiters. And the troops in the Special Forces need a more compact rifle, which – on the one hand – isn’t inferior to Ak-12 in precision and fire dispersion, but – on the other hand – is compact enough to storm buildings, planes, trains, and buses, as well as jump with a parachute and walk in the forest,” he explained.

The source didn’t share a lot of information about the AK-400, however, and all that is known about the assault rifle is that it has a length of approximately 940 millimeters and weighs slightly over 3 kilograms.

The new Kalashnikov will have a special “cutoff” fire mode that releases bullets only when the trigger is pulled.

It also has a retractable telescopic butt-stock that allows it to be shortened in a matter of seconds, allowing the rifle to be used inside of a car or even hidden under clothing.

The AK-400 is equipped with a Picatinny Rail, a mounting platform for various sights, pens, flashlights, and laser target designators.

The assault rifle is intended for use by the Presidential Security Service, as well as Alpha, Vympel, and other Special Forces units in the Federal Security Service (FSB).

[TsarSamuil]

Russia Rearms for a New Era - Kalashnikov assault rifle AK 12 and AK 15.

Russia Insider
Jul 30, 2016

[TsarSamuil]

UAE: Kalashnikov introduces new modified AK rifle as IDEX arms expo kicks off.

Ruptly TV
Feb 19, 2017



Russian arms manufacturer Kalashnikov showcased their new modified AK rifle at the 13th biennial International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), which opened in Abu Dhabi, Sunday.

Vladimir Dmitriev, Deputy CEO, Sales & Marketing Kalashnikov Group (English): "First of all this is very well-known, it's AK with a new modification and here we are showcasing something which is at the moment shown as a civilian weapon but we are working on using it as a military as well. It’s a version with integrated picatinny rail with a different fore grip, etcetera, etcetera. We are also showing here our companies which are working for a shipyard, Rybinskaya Shipyard and Vimpel, which is a ship building factory, a huge one. As well as, we are introducing an unmanned air system under the name of Zala Aero. It all shows that Kalashnikov is not anymore just a manufacturer of the simple individual weapons, but also the whole set of the weapon systems."

[TsarSamuil]

Inside the Kalashnikov Factory: Home of the World's Most Reliable Weapon (VIDEO)

Despite western sanctions, Kalashnikov is thriving

RI Staff
Tue, Mar 21, 2017

You can file this one under "what western sanctions?"

Washington's economic war against Russian industries was supposed to cripple the export and manufacturing capabilities of companies such as Kalashnikov Concern.

But according to an excellent video report about the company's operations, the sanctions actually backfired.

Kalashnikov has not only expanded its exports since the sanctions began in 2014, it also learned to manufacture parts they bought elsewhere. The maker of the world's most iconic weapon is swamped with orders — and plans to expand staff by 30%.

There's a very simple reason why Russian weapons are in hot demand: As a representative o the company tells it, their rifles are extremely reliable. They undergo extreme durability tests, where they are "“thrown into water, sand, and even run over by cars and SUVs”.
On a humorous note, the report also explains that the U.S. was forced to temporarily lift sanctions in order to buy spare parts for 50 Mi-70 helicopters used by the Afghan military.

The report also looks at how the company produces a number of high-tech peacetime products, including medical equipment and civilian helicopters.

Watch (with English subtitles, because we love you):

[TsarSamuil]

Military porn: Russian T-5000 rifle successfully tested in extreme conditions.

RT
Jun 6, 2017



Russian T-5000 rifle ‘Precision filmed operating in extreme cold as well as in hot and damp conditions.

[TsarSamuil]

Russia: Kalashnikov unveils REX-1 anti-drone gun at 'Army 2017' expo.

Ruptly TV
Aug 23, 2017



The Russian weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov demonstrated its REX-1 anti-drone gun at the International Military-Technical Forum 'Army 2017' expo, at Patriot Park, in Moscow, Wednesday.

Rex-1 is a non-lethal device that works by severing the connection between a quadcopter and its controller, as well as jamming satellite positioning systems, GSM and Wi-Fi signals.

ZALA AERO special project manager, Nikita Khamitov, explained that the device "suppresses control signals up to a distance of one kilometre." He went on to note that "if the quadcopter's autopilot has an auto return home function when it loses signal from the controller, we suppress GPS [signal] - GPS, [Global Navigation Satellite System] GLONASS, Baidu and Galileo. In this case, the copter hovers in position and lands automatically."

SOT, Nikita Khamitov, ZALA EURO special project manager (Russian): "This device suppresses control signals up to a distance of one kilometre. If the quadcopter's autopilot has an auto return home function when it loses signal from the controller, we suppress GPS [signal] - GPS, [Global Navigation Satellite System] GLONASS, Baidu and Galileo. In this case, the copter hovers in position and lands automatically."

[TsarSamuil]

Russian army to get next-generation Kalashnikovs.

RT.com
30 Jan, 2018 02:24

The Russian Defense Ministry has adopted a new generation of assault rifles. The AK-12 and AK-15 will be supplied to infantry, airborne troops and marines.

The Defense Ministry’s newspaper and the Kalashnikovs’ manufacturer announced the new assault rifles are being adopted after excessive testing that took place in 2017. The guns will become part of the Russian army’s “future combat system,” the Ratnik (warrior), which also includes a range of surveillance, communications and defensive equipment.

The AK-12 and the AK-15 are the newest generation of the tried and trusted Kalashnikov assault rifle line, which has been in existence for almost 70 years and remains the most widely used assault rifle in the world.

The AK-12, chambered for 5.45x39mm rounds, and the AK-15 for the larger 7.62x39, feature everything one might expect in a modern assault rifle: an adjustable telescopic stock, a 30-round windowed magazine sturdy enough to double up as firing support, a quickly-detachable muzzle brake and compensator, and a plastic foregrip with two Picatinny rails to mount additional equipment like laser sights or flashlights. The guns’ frame has been optimized for more stable firing. Both are also equipped with adjustable dioptric sights with a range of up to 800 meters (2,600 feet) as standard.

During testing, the Kalashnikovs proved to be the best in regards to ease of use and reliability, which earned them a place as part of the Ratnik kit. All Russian ground troops are expected to be outfitted with the Ratniks by 2020.

[TsarSamuil]

Sniper Putin: Russian president tests new Kalashnikov marksman rifle (VIDEOS)

RT.com
19 Sep, 2018 17:08

Footage captures Russia’s president, who got his hands on a modern sniper rifle from renowned weapons-maker Kalashnikov, picking off targets at a distance of 600 meters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited an exhibition of the Kalashnikov Concern in Patriot Park outside Moscow on Wednesday. And he didn’t just inspect the military hardware – he got up-close and personal with one of them – a modern SVCh sniper rifle.

Video from the scene shows Putin taking a good, long aim with the rifle and then taking a shot 600 meters from the target. His shots landed three times.

The SVCh rifle is loosely based on the iconic Russian SVD and another lesser-known weapon by renowned weapons designer Evgeny Dragunov – the ‘Compact Assault rifle’ prototype. Taking the best concepts from both weapons, the SVCh is said to be more accurate and less prone to dislocation of the optics than the SVD, which is the main rifle for the Russian Army’s designated marksmen.

[TsarSamuil]

Reproduction of Russian Kalashnikov firearms in US tantamount to ‘theft’

RT.com
10 Oct, 2018 10:52

Russian state corporation Rostec says the production of Russian weapons in the US without a relevant license is illegal. The firm holds the majority stake in Kalashnikov Concern, the maker of the iconic AK-47 assault rifle.

The statement comes amid media reports that the US military wants to encourage domestic gunmakers to manufacture facsimiles of Russian weapons. Sanctions against Moscow prohibit their purchase from Russia. The weapons will reportedly be supplied to various militant groups in unstable regions around the world.

“The idea itself raises questions. If someone wants to do this work legally, in compliance with all the rules, they should discuss it with Rosoboronexport. Otherwise, it is an illegal copying of Russian products. In other words, it is a theft,” Rostec’s press service said.

On Tuesday, the National Interest media outlet reported that the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was offering grants to US companies which will be able to “produce fully functioning facsimiles of foreign-made weapons,” namely, the Russian light machine gun PKM and the NSV heavy machine gun. The manufactured weapons should be “equal to or better than” the originals, it said.

The USSOCOM said it won’t provide any technical drawings, parts and raw materials to the interested companies. Applicants will have to manufacture the weapons only on US territory, using only the US-produced materials and only employing US citizens.

The program may encourage manufacturers to produce copies of some other foreign weapons in future.

According to National Interest, USSOCOM's move may be related to Washington's plans to provide copies of the weapons to various groups operating in Iraq, Syria or other war zones. The idea of producing US copies of foreign weapons instead of procuring them abroad was qualified by the media outlet as a “sensible and economical” one.

Demand for Kalashnikov weaponry has surged worldwide after the US, and later the European Union, announced an import ban on the manufacturer in 2014.

US desire to reproduce Russian machine guns proves the reliability and excellence of the weaponry, according to Kalashnikov. The gun maker told RIA Novosti on Wednesday it did not have any concrete information about such plans but “is not surprised” as it is, once again, proof of the advantages that Russian arms exhibit.

Named after Mikhail Kalashnikov, a World War II Russian tank veteran who developed the “Avtomat Kalashnikova” rifle in 1947, known worldwide as the AK-47, Kalashnikov Concern is the largest firearms producer in Russia. In Soviet days, it provided as many as 600,000 rifles a year to the military.

[TsarSamuil]

Russia’s brand new ‘Boa’ pistol may soon replace legendary Makarov sidearm.

RT.com
5 Jan, 2019 18:30

A state-of-the-art pistol, nicknamed ‘Udav’ may soon become a new sidearm of the Russian military, which is hastily seeking a proper replacement to its time-proven but aging Makarov’s weapon.

The newest pistol successfully withstood all trials held by the weapons manufacturer and the Russian Defense Ministry, the arms producer, the Central Research Institute for Precision Machine Engineering, said in a statement. ‘Udav’ (Russian for ‘Boa’) was tested for reliability in harsh weather conditions and performed very well in both frost and heat, the statement said.

“The trials have proven the pistol’s high functional capabilities, its durability and [demonstrated] its functional performance in extreme conditions,” the weapons manufacturer pointed out. ‘Udav’ is fed by 9х21mm cartridges and its detachable box magazine can carry as many as 18 rounds.

It also said the pistol was pushed to its limits during a series of separate tests carried out by the military last year. ‘Udav’ was “recommended for adoption” by the military, a Defense Ministry official told TASS.

The exact features and detailed layout of the new weapon remain classified. However, judging by an image published by Kalashnikov.ru website, there is nothing unconventional in its shape or design.

At a glance, ‘Udav’ looks similar to foreign analogues, such as the German-made Heckler & Koch USP – a popular side weapon adopted by the US and other militaries. Being a 21st-century pistol, ‘Udav’ features a short rail enabling mounting a laser or a tactical flashlight under the barrel.

Russian media said the weapon is the likeliest candidate to replace the famous Makarov pistol. The PM / PMM, which is a Russian abbreviation for the pistol, was designed as early as 1951. Back then, it became a standard-issue support weapon in military and police forces in Russia and dozens of other countries.

Army and police users around the world appreciate Makarov’s small size and weight but do complain about its powerful, over-the-top blowback and insufficient firepower. The PM family is widely regarded as a well-balanced weapon due to its simple and reliable design.

However, it became less suitable for modern warfare in which a sidearm should be powerful enough against armor-protected targets.

This is not the first effort to phase out the legendary PM. Other Russian-made 9mm pistols have been considered in the past, including the GSh-18 and Yarygin pistols, but all potential successors either had reliability issues or had a too complicated design.

[TsarSamuil]

Meet RPK-16: Kalashnikov releases updated version of RPK-74 Soviet light machine gun.

RT
Feb 1, 2019



Arms manufacturer Kalashnikov has released an updated version of the RPK-74 Soviet light machine gun, the RPK-16. The updated design boasts an interchangeable barrel for close quarter and long-range combat. The 4-kilogram, 5.45-calibre weapon has a rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute. It is expected to be adopted by the Russian armed forces sometime this year.

[TsarSamuil]

New Russian light machine gun born from iconic Kalashnikov heads for tests.

RT.com
19 Feb, 2019 15:21

The Russian military has embarked on testing a new iteration of the iconic Kalashnikov light machine gun, the RPK-16. The new gun boasts a whole set of improvements, compared to its predecessor.

Testing will be performed at Moscow Higher Military Command School, the Russian Defense Ministry said earlier this week. Soldiers will train to use the new weapons, providing feedback over their reliability, ergonomics and other parameters.

RPK-16 was first shown to the general public during the ARMY-2017 forum. The new gun is chambered for the intermediate 5.45×39 cartridge, used by AK-74 family. RPK-16, however, features a whole set of improvements, giving it more flexibility – and a fresher modern look.

Unlike its predecessors, the RPK-16 has an interchangeable barrel, coming in two variants. With a full-length barrel it can be used as a light machine gun, but with a shorter one – as a heavy assault rifle. The gun is equipped with various rails suitable for scopes and other equipment, and it can be fitted with a suppressor as well.

While the gun can be fed with any existing AK-style magazines of the correct caliber, it comes with a new high-capacity drum magazine, which holds 96 cartridges. The bipod is no longer an integral part of the machine gun and it can be attached and detached freely. RPK-16’s stock folds to the left like its predecessors, but is also telescopic and can be adjusted for comfortable use.

Following tests, the military will provide feedback to the manufacturer, the Kalashnikov Concern, which will tweak the new gun if necessary.

[TsarSamuil]

Russian military gets first batch of futuristic Udav handguns.

RT.com
12 Jun, 2019 18:34

The state-of-the-art Udav handgun, described as one of the most powerful pistols in the world, has begun a trial run with the Russian military. It is intended to replace the sturdy but aging Makarov sidearm, in use since 1950s.

The Udav (‘Boa’ in Russian, a blunt-nosed snake) was cleared for mass production after successfully passing the state tests, which saw the weapon exposed to dust, sand and temperatures ranging from minus 50 to plus 70 Celsius.

The nine millimeters auto-loading handgun has a magazine capacity of 18 bullets, which is ten more than the Makarov.

The new pistol’s engagement range is almost two times greater, reaching 100 meters. The Udav is also lighter and easier to operate than the Makarov, due to the incorporation of composite materials.

Udav can fire all types of 9mm bullets, including tracer, armor-piercing and expanding ammunition. What makes the pistol even more menacing are the subsonic and increased penetrability bullets, which were especially developed for it.

The handgun's futuristic design isn’t just for looks, as it provides the option of using the Udav with a silencer and a laser scope.

A civilian version of the new Russian handgun will be released later this year, with the producers saying that Udav will be able to challenge the likes of Colt, Walther and Glock on the market.