Firearms manufacturer Kalashnikov has unveiled a new AK-12 assault rifle, with modifications based on the weapon's use in the war on Ukraine.
On Friday, Kalashnikov Group Chief Designer Sergey Urzhumtsev told Russian state media TASS the upgrade followed input gathered from experience of the gun's use in the special operation a euphemism for Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
The first batch of upgradeable AK 12s has already been delivered to the special military operation area in Ukraine to specify the feedback. The rifle's two-round burst mode was removed from the new design as part of the upgrade because it didn t increase the weapon's efficiency significantly and complicated its layout, according to TASS.
The other changes were aimed at making the rifle easier to operate.
The AK-12 has multiple mounting platforms that allow the installation of additional gear, such as sights, a front handle, a flashlight, a laser designator, as well as devices for noiseless and flameless fire, TASS said.
The 5.45 mm AK-12, which is the standard service assault rifle of the Russian infantry and other units, is the standard service assault rifle, according to the Kalashnikov website.
Since 2018, the Russian military has been undergoing reequipment with AK-12 rifles, Kalashnikov said on the Kalashnikov website.
Kalashnikov also said it is launching a drone-producing unit.
We have a division of unmanned aerial vehicles. We have consolidated all of our capacity on their development and production and are expanding output severalfold, Kalashnikov Group President Alan Lushnikov said on Friday.
The new unit will be based on ground-based drone launch and control capabilities, as well as everything that is necessary for the effective operation of unmanned aerial vehicles, Lushnikov said.
He said Kalashnikov's Group manufactures tactical-level drones.