"Russian new assault rifle." Topic

"Russia to plan the development of a new modernized assault rifle for the Russian army.
The recently established Kalashnikov Concern is planning to develop a modernized assault rifle for the Russian Army and hopes to increase the number of models available for export, its general director said in an exclusive interview with RIA Novosti. "We are currently engaged with a large number of research and development projects for a number of government agencies … we hope to begin a modernization of the AK-74 for the Defense Ministry," Konstantin Busygin said.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who oversees the defense industry, said in September that the Russian military was planning on standardizing on a single modernized rifle, the AK-12, to replace three aging rifle models.

No announcement has yet been made by the Defense Ministry about modernizing the AK-74. Busygin noted that Kalashnikov will move forward with trials of the AK-12 assault rifle for law enforcement agencies…"

Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

wow, mean looking gun

And I was just about to say that it seems like more and more all the rifles are starting to look the same…

Previously there were real, stand-out differences:
The AK, mean looking as Hammerhead points out, simple, rugged, giant 'banana clip' (yes, I know it's a magazine).

The incredibly long FN-FAL/SLR.

Replaced by the bullpup SA-80, which was still different than the 'other' bullpup, the sleeker, elegant Steyr-Aug.

And of course, the 'black rifle,' AKA the world's first 'plastic' rifle.

Now is seems everything's black, everything's got rails and a thousand attachments, a giant banana-clip, a foregrip, a giant front sight post, but still still sporting an external optic, and a collapsible stock.

V/R,
Jack

That's a nice modern take on the old AK, see a bright future for the legacy of a legendary weapon.

I assume it will follow the 74 with silly little cartridges? Bring bang 7.62, a round with stopping power…

5.56 has plenty of stopping power. Now, if you're trying to shoot through something real thick to get at someone, 7.62 certainly has the advantage.

V/R,
Jack

Indeed. The bigger round is preferable. The extra weight of the cartridges would be detrimental only to a namby pamby. Before I am asked I have owned AKs and carried six of the larger 40 rnd bananas whilst on a shoot.

I suppose I'm a namby pamby, but still prefer the 5.56; it's not the weight so much, as you're going to carry the same weight regardless. The issue is you get to fire 3 times as many rounds if you carry the same weight of 5.56 as 7.62.

I don't know what carrying on 'a shoot' is, but I've carried both on a hump, as well as tripods, extra barrels, mortar rounds, frag grenades, smoke grenades, rifle grenades, star clusters, radios, batteries, GPSs, maps, cammies, skivvies, boots, snivel gear, toiletries, e-tool, four canteens and a two quart (later camelbak), NVGs, range stakes, claymores, chow (field stripped), and cigarettes, lots of cigarettes. I'm probably forgetting something ;)

V/R,
Jack

YouTube link

Ah well Jack, it is a matter of personal preference I suppose. In fact I favour an increase in round calibre and power rather than the volume based "hose 'em down" approach.

We will agree to disagree.

"matter of personal preference"
Absolutely.

"…volume based "hose 'em down" approach."
Hmmm… I suppose I'll let that go as it's Christmas ;)

"…agree to disagree."
Certainly. The 5.56 vs 7.62 has been held by persons far more important than two guys on wargaming forum, and yet it's still with us.

V/R,
Jack

Two thoughts:

First, haven't we been here before? Frequently, in fact?
Yet another in the seemingly never-ending parade of modernized AK-derivatives, which are unveiled with much fanfare… then fail to be adopted by any forces in significant numbers.
AK101, 105, 107, 108, AN94, AEK-971-3, AL7…

And yet the Russian Army's standard-issue is still the AK-74M.

Second: You want to show me a new weapon? Do me a favour – strip all that bolt-on, aftermarket tat off it.
Zytel foregrips, collapsible stocks, no-brand picatinny knock-offs and all manner of sight gubbins can be had from your local gun show and bolted on to any old POS.

Pics of the "naked" AK-12, second one also shows calibres:

Wonder if those will be flooding the 3rd World, ME, Africa and SWA markets anytime soon …

If my Cyrillic reading is correct, that diagram is from Izhevsk, home of one of the big arsenals. And 7.62x51mm--wow, that's battle rifle caliber!
p.s.--looks kinda like a Stoner!

Let's hope it only gets it's looks from the Stoner, and its reliability from the AK side of the family!

Reminds me of that Anatole France quote;

"But what if they had MY looks, and YOUR brains?"