Russia Tests New Kalashnikov AKV-521 Carbine

Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern has begun testing a new carbine for its AKV-521 rifle.

The AKV-521 semi-automatic carbine is intended to provide shooters with modular, multi-caliber weapon platform which build on purpose of mounting modern heavy LPVO + NV optics / IR illumination combo. To achieve this goal, the Kalashnikov AKV-521 carbine is designed with basic layout similar to weapons such as SIG SG 553. Therefore, the AKV-521 now features separate upper receiver with solid 1913-MIL-STD top, and a lower receiver which houses trigger and magazine.

Due to modular nature of the gun, it is planned to be offered with optional additional upper receivers with barrels, allowing for quick caliber of configuration change.

As of February 2021, the Kalashnikov AKV-521 carbine is under heavy test program since it's scheduled to enter initial serial production by mid-2021.

In a video published today, the carbine is seen tested just after being taken out of a freezer where it remained for an hour at -50 degrees Celsius.

The Rifle will be offered in several most popular intermediate calibers, such as 5.45x39mm, 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm, and with two barrel lengths, standard 415 mm and short 341 mm.

AKV-521 features a new fire selector, which is not much seen on traditional Russian AKs (Avtomat Kalashnikova) — but still rotates the same angles. There is another vertical fire selector on the left side, to ensure the butt can be folded and locked.