Russia To Produce New Kalashnikov Assault Rifle Ak-12, A-55

Russia will produce a new generation of assault rifles, AK-12 and A-545, this month to replace Kalashnikov AK-74M for Ratnik soldier modernization program.

AK-12 and A-545 will also become part of the Ratnik standard issue soldier outfit slated to enter service this coming spring, Izvestiya newspaper was quoted as saying by Sputnik on February 4.

The Degtyarev designers made all the necessary amends, resulting in the A-545, which is an updated version of the A-971.It was eventually selected alongside the AK-12 to run the final test scheduled for the end of this year.

The AK-12 is a fifth generation AK-pattern rifle, featuring several ergonomic improvements, a bolt catch, accessory rails, and a telescopic butt stock.  It comes in in standard 5.45x39mm caliber and is fed from 30 round AK-74 box magazines, but 60 and 95 rounds magazines are also available. It also has a lower recoil than the AK-74M.

The A-545 is an updated version of the AEK-971 rifle designed in early the 1980s for the AK-74M replacement program.  It uses the 5.45x39mm rounds fed from standard 30-round or larger box magazines used by the AK-74, AK-74 and similar weapons.

Last month Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said that the Ratnik “future soldier uniform” would feature the AK-12 rifle, which had initially performed better than its A-971 rival, developed by the Degtyarev plant.