AK-12 Kalashnikov Military

Russia’s largest firearms manufacturer, Izhmash unveiled in February 2012 a prototype of its new Kalashnikov AK-12 Military assault rifle with improved ergonomics and tactical flexibility. The new assault rifle, dubbed AK-12, is being designed as a basic platform for the development of nearly 20 different modifications of the weapon. The new AK-12 could be adapted for cartridges varying from 5.45×39 mm to 7.62×51 NATO. The 12th Kalashnikov, Izhmash officials said, has a number of features that make it different from the previous series of the rifle. Advanced technology and materials were used for the development of the new weapon, and more than ten new inventions will be used in making various models of the Kalashnikov rifle. The AK-12 may, therefore, become the basic model for future developments. The AK-12 assault rifle was presented for the first time to the public in June 2012 at the defense exhibition in Moscow, Engineer Technologies 2012. It started to enter service with Russian army units in 2020.