New for the new Russian AK

For the first time in the last 20 years in Russia to create a truly new Kalashnikov assault rifle.

In February, the Central Research Institute of precision engineering, the first stage of tests AK-12 - one of the most promising samples of the newest Russian weapons. Over the course of the development of this machine closely monitor high-ranking officials.

Testing includes checking new AK weapons performance under cold, heat, high dust, humidity, and after falling from a height of 1, 5 meters. After elimination of the revealed shortcomings and design rework machine will be sent to the state tests - they have to be held later this year.

The emergence of a new modern small arms is important not only to equip the Russian army, but also to strengthen our position in the global arms market. After the Arab Spring, some countries of the north of Africa have stopped the active cooperation with Russia, but it is true says the head of "Rostec" Sergei Chemezov, is temporary: "Countries in the region have historically been buyers of our arms. And get used to it. For example, in Libya, we renew relations. Have already visited their representatives, the new government proposes to resume cooperation on deliveries, which were interrupted. " In addition, the gradually improving cooperation with Iraq, as well as the more promising market, in view of the weakening of US influence in the region, it is Afghanistan. Gradually Russia strengthens its influence in Latin America: Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Peru - there we have sell not only helicopters and tanks, but also cars. The expansion of the Russian military-industrial complex in all these areas must wear a total character. That is why the creation of modern samples of small weapons - an important phase in the approval of Russia as a full-fledged military power.

So what is the long-awaited new AK?

"Since the last update AK-74 at the NGO" Izhmash "held in 1991, the need for the new machine was long overdue: the past 20 years, the same US have succeeded in developing its small arms," ​​- says Chief Designer concern "Izhmash" Vladimir Zlobin. According to him, at the beginning of the two thousandth at the "Izhmash" lay a draft of a new model of Kalashnikov assault rifle, but because of the difficult financial situation it has not even been finalized. However, until recently, the plant was clearly not up to it, because even at the end of 2010, he had a debt of $ 13, 7 billion rubles. "Izhmash" was more like a pyramid scheme, rather than an industrial enterprise. Only after Rostec launched in 2010. The recovery procedure entered into its composition "Izhmash", the company resumed construction work.

Three-dimensional model of AK-12

AK-12 in its current modification has been created under the leadership of the enterprise Vladimir Zlobin, a guest on the "Izhmash" in May 2011. "Records" in a decent designer: 2004 eleven of his developments taken into service in special units of the Russian Federation, and a further six - recommended for adoption. Zlobin with team "Izhmash" It took five months to develop the machine and release the first prototypes.

In the designer says, the AK-12 is very different from its predecessors. One of the major innovations was the universal modular machine design. On this basis it is planned to create about 20 samples of weapons as a combined arms and special and civil purposes. So, based on the AK-12 will release a submachine gun, a small-sized automatic, automatic shotgun, assault rifle, machine gun and semi-automatic rifle.

"We are faced with the need to not only tighten the ergonomic requirements for the machine, but also to reduce its weight and increase the combat characteristics. Compared to previous models, the AK-12 is more convenient to use. Folding telescopic buttstock reduces recoil and facilitate carrying of weapons. Only one hand is possible to shoot a machine gun, and priladit it easy as a left and a right ", - said Zlobin.

With the new barrel manufacturing technology, automation modified and increased the distance between the sight and front sight, greatly improve the accuracy and accuracy.

In the AK-12 mounted Picatinny rail for mounting additional equipment: grenade launchers, scopes, target designators and lanterns. Due to this, the machine has gained flexibility and become more attractive for export. "This weapon has caused interest in all law enforcement agencies, including the Ministry of Defense. Automatic waiting at us, and abroad ", - concludes Zlobin.

It is worth noting that our weapons are in stable demand, even in a high-tech country like the United States. For example, in 2012 the United States purchased the police party "Saiga", developed by the "Izhmash" based on the "Kalashnikov". A rose by 15% in the whole of 2012 exports to the US market "Izhmash" products: Izhevsk enterprise has sold weapons to the amount of 16, 2 million dollars. AK against M16

Some critics believe that the AK-12 loses the characteristics of AKM, but Zlobin recalled that comparison of the two machines is incorrect - the first one was made under the cartridge 5, 45 * 39, the second - at 7, 62 * 39. On tests of AK-12 has shown the majority of parameters better performance than the AK-74M.

In a recent interview with the head of "Rostec" Sergei Chemezov specifically notes that the reliability and simplicity are the priority in the development of new Russian weapons, "Kalashnikov told me why we are better shooting and less whimsical. We have more than tolerance. When we bought new modern machines and began to do everything exactly millimeter per millimeter, there are the same problems as the Americans. Then we began to make special planned admission to the distance to keep. "

Final design of the machine can still change

Reliability and operational safety - this is something that has always distinguished the Kalashnikov assault rifle from foreign competitors: dirt, dust, water, heat and cold - our machine keeps working in all conditions. And this pledge demand not only domestically, but also internationally.