AK-12

"AK-200" redirects here. For the AK-200 series of rifles introduced by Kalashnikov Concern, see AK-200 series.

AK-12
Production information
Country of origin	Russia
Manufacturer(s)	Kalashnikov Concern
Designer(s)	Vladimir Viktorovich Zlobin Mikhail Kalashnikov Sergey Vladimirovich Urzhumtsev
Year(s) designed	2010
Production began	2018
Technical specifications
Weapon type	Assault rifle
Caliber	AK-12: 5.45×39mm AK-15: 7.62×39mm AK-19: 5.56×45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated, long stroke gas piston, rotating bolt
Length	945 mm
Barrel length	415 mm (16.3 inches)
Weight	3.3 kg
Feed system	AK-12: 30-, 45-round AK-74/AK-105 type box magazines 60-round casket magazine 95-round drum magazine AK-15: 20-, 30-, 40-round AK-47/AKM/AK-103/AK-104 type box magazines 75-round drum magazine AK-19: 30-round AK-101/AK-102 type box magazine
Cyclic rate	700 rounds/min
Effective range	500-600 m
Maximum effective range	800 m
Muzzle velocity	AK-12: 880-900 m/s AK-15: 715 m/s
Usage
Notable users	Russia

The AK-12 (Russian: АК-12, Автомат Калашникова - 2012 год, lit. "Kalashnikov Assault rifle 2012"), GRAU index 6P70, is a Russian assault rifle and is the newest derivative of AK pattern-rifles produced by the Kalashnikov Concern. It has been proposed to the military to be the new service rifle of the Russian military, along with potentially replacing other older AK-pattern designs in use with various military forces around the world.

History

In 2010, a statement was issued by the Russian Defence Ministry that this rifle was to be tested in 2011. A working prototype of the AK-12 was shown to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his visit to the Kalashnikov Concern that same year.

The AK-12 project first started in 2011 as a private venture in an attempt to participate in the “Ratnik” trials held by the Russian military. Throughout its development, the AK-12 has received various modifications and changes to meet the standards of the Russian military, and to address various issues as seen with earlier prototypes.

The AK-12 competed against with the A-545, a modernized AEK-971, in the Ratnik trials. In late 2014, the Russian Military announced that both the AK-12 and A-545 had passed state tests and would be slowly drafted into operational service trials some time in 2015.

A pre-production model of the AK-12 was announced in September 2016, along with the AK-15, similar to the AK-12 but chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. A light machine gun variant derived from the AK-12 was also announced, the RPK-16 chambered for the 5.45×39mm cartridge; this is the next evolution to the RPK series.

Testing of the AK-12 concluded in December 2017, with it being adopted by the Russian Army in January 2018. The AK-12 is currently being evaluated for export and civilian models are currently being produced; the Armenian Ministry of Defence has managed to secure rights to locally manufacture the AK-12 and 15 as of August 2018, most likely by Garni-ler.

Design Details

The pre-production AK-12 is similar operation to most Kalashnikovs, but is very heavily modernized when compared to other rifles in its family, such as its controls being completely ambidextrous and the ability to switch calibers by just changing its barrel. Along with various other accessory rails attached to the AK-12, it is able to accept a wide variety of calibers, from 7.62×39mm to 5.56×45mm NATO, is able to fit a GP-34 grenade launcher underneath the barrel and can also accept rifle grenades due to threading on the muzzle brake.

The production AK-12 is radically different when compared to the prototype, with various features such as the ambidextrous charging handle removed. While the AK-12 is still a Kalashnikov design, it unarguably shares more in common with older AK designs than the prototype, but it is claimed that this production version of the AK-12 is not a retrofitted AK-74 or something of the like. The production AK-12 also has the ability to fit an underbarrel grenade launcher to the bottom rail.

Both the pre-production and production AK-12 have a four-position selector switch. The pre-production AK-12 has four settings for safe, semi-automatic, three-round burst and fully automatic; the production AK-12 has the same settings, except that the three-round burst setting was replaced by a two-round burst setting.

In 2020, Kalashnikov Concern presented an updated version of the AK-12, with a new pistol grip, stock, and rear sight. In 2021, a variant of the AK-12 known as the AK-12 SP was introduced, featuring a redesigned stock, ambidextrous selector switch, M-LOK handguard, and the lack of a burst option. That same year, the AK-12 SPK was also announced, similar to the SP variant but with a full-length M-LOK handguard and a flash hider instead of the AK-12's muzzle brake.

Variants

Pre-production

• AK-12
• AK-12/76
• .223 prototype
• Ratnik trials AK-12

2012 prototype of the AK-12.

The prototypes from 2012 to 2015 of the AK-12 feature ambidextrous fire controls, including a four-point fire selector, ambidextrous charging handle and a heel magazine release among other features. The AK-12 has an telescoping buttstock meant for better recoil control; on top of the buttstock is an adjustable cheekrest. The AK-12 accepts various types of magazines from the AK family of rifles. While praised by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the AK-12 was ultimately not adopted in this form due to the massive stockpile of AK-74s.

Computer-generated 2D render of the AK-12/76 as seen on an IZhMASh poster.

This was supposed to be a shotgun version of the AK-12 chambered for 12 gauge that was to be produced for the civilian market. The weapon was announced in 2013, but never entered production.

Computer-generated 2D render of the .223 AK-12 as seen on an IZhMASh poster.

This unnamed prototype of the AK-12 was supposed to be a semi-automatic version of the AK-12 chambered for .223 Remington that was to be produced for the civilian market. The weapon was announced in 2013, but never entered production.

The weapon seems to have been catered to be more of a sporting rifle when originally announced.

2014 prototype of the AK-12.

This is the AK-12 that was used in the Ratnik Trials to compete against the A-545. If one cannot already infer, this prototype AK-12 is extremely different from the one most commonly seen; instead, it resembles a heavily modified AK-pattern rifle, and has most of the innovative features of the more well-known AK-12 removed, such as the ambidextrous charging handle. The AK-12 was successful in these trials, and fired 9000 rounds without failing.

Production

• AK-12
• AK-12K
• AK-15
• AK-15K
• RPK-16
• AK TR3
• AK-19

This is the updated AK-12 that was shown off in 2017 (the nearly identical 2016 version had a different color scheme). It is quite clearly seen that the production AK-12 is very different from the pre-production samples shown off a few years back; this is due to this production AK-12 being based on a rather unknown and obscure prototype, the AK-400. It is also quite clearly seen that the AK-12 very much resembles older AK-patterned rifles, although the Kalashnikov Concern denies that the production AK-12 is a retrofitted AK-74. The production model of the AK-12 features a Picatinny rail receiver for mounting various optical sights. The handguard also features Picatinny rails at 3-, 6-, 9-o'clock positions for mounting various foregrips and other accessories.

Compact variant of the AK-12.

Planned to replace the AK-103, the AK-15 is an AK-12 chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge that was very famously used by the AK-47. Despite the similar names, the AK-15 is in no way related to the Saiga MK-107, also called the AK-15 by some sources, despite both being of a Kalashnikov design.

Compact variant of the AK-15.

This squad automatic weapon variant of the AK-12 is meant to fill the niche that the well-known RPK filled back when it was introduced. Interestingly enough, the RPK-16 is a modernization of the well-known RPK. The RPK-16 uses an all-new 95-round detachable drum magazine; most AK drum magazines usually had a capacity of 75 rounds. Chambered in 5.45×39mm, the RPK-16 is operationally also very similar to its smaller brothers.

Civilian semi-automatic variant of the AK-12 and AK-15 that entered production in 2019. It is available in both 5.45×39mm and 7.62×39mm.

Version of the AK-12 chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. It features a new muzzle brake, lacks a burst option, and has the same buttstock, rear sight, pistol grip and trigger guard as the 2020 updated version of the AK-12.

Trivia

• The AK-12 was the last rifle that Mikhail Kalashnikov designed before he passed away.
• The AK-12 prototypes from 2012–2015 were radically different from the final production models.

References

• Putin praises new Kalashnikov assault rifle—Voice of Russia
• Putin shown up-to-date Kalashnikov assault rifles—RIA Novosti
• Оружейникам придется перевооружаться
• Modern Firearms Page
• Kalashnikov 5: Brand-new AK-12 rifle unveiled
• Kalashnikov AK-12 rifle information
• BREAKING: Kalashnikov Concern Discontinues AK-12, Replaces It with… The New AK-12!
• https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/44991
• New Rifles For Russian Special Forces: AK-12SP and AK-12SPK–The Firearm Blog