Kalashnikov Concern to start production of replacement for AKS-74U in 2025

Kalashnikov will launch mass production of a new small-sized AM-17 rifle in 2025.

This is reported on the Concern’s official page on Telegram.

The new small-sized automatic rifle will be produced to replace the AKS-74U assault rifles in the internal troops and the Russian Armed Forces.

The rifle’s caliber will remain standard for Russian weapons – 5.45mm, but the production model will be slightly improved compared to the test models.

In addition, Kalashnikov notes that the AM-17 rifle was improved during its use in the war against Ukraine, which allegedly eliminated some design problems.

A feature of the AM-17 compared to the AKS-74U is the use of a large number of high-quality polymeric materials, which reduced the rifle’s overall weight and provided it with a Picatinny rail for mounting sights and other equipment.

The rifle uses the principle of powder gasses being removed from the barrel channel with a short piston stroke. It has a 30-round magazine, a folding telescopic stock, and a two-way switch for firing modes.

Despite the manufacturer’s claims of high reliability and the “pinnacle of development” of this rifle, the situation may repeat itself, as with the new AK-12 assault rifles used by the Russian military, which have several problems.

The problems that plague the AK-12 to this day include poor build quality, low-quality composite materials, and corrosion of metal elements, including the gas piston, barrel channel, and other parts.

In 2023, Kalashnikov announced the next stage of quality improvement of the AK-12, which has been in production since 2018, as well as an increase in overall design reliability.

The presented AK-12 assault rifle of the 2023 model is currently undergoing the next testing stage, after which a decision will be made to start its mass production.

The manufacturer claims that the AK-12’s forend now has a stronger design and better protects the shooter’s hand from high temperatures during intense shooting.

Specifications

• Caliber, mm: 5,45
• Cartridge used: 5,45х39
• Magazine capacity, pcs. of cartridges: 30
• Rate of fire, rounds per minute: 850
• Weight of the assault rifle without the magazine, kg: 2,5±0,1
• Length of the machine gun, mm:
  – In the carrying position: 490
  – In the combat position: 750