{"id":45829,"date":"2018-05-02T21:14:23","date_gmt":"2018-05-02T21:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/05\/02\/hey-marines-russian-grunts-get-new-assault-rifles-too\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T07:49:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T07:49:02","slug":"hey-marines-russian-grunts-get-new-assault-rifles-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/land\/2018\/05\/02\/hey-marines-russian-grunts-get-new-assault-rifles-too\/","title":{"rendered":"Hey, Marines. Russian grunts get new assault rifles, too."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the U.S. Marine Corps works to procure new Heckler & Koch M27 rifles<\/a> for their infantry, Russian soldiers are taking on their own assault rifle acquisition process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed in January that it plans to field the AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles for service, which shoot 5.45\u00d739 mm and 7.62\u00d739 mm cartridges, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A decision has been made on the AK-12 and the AK-15. The submachine guns have been recommended as armament in the ground forces, the airborne force and [naval] infantry,” the Kalashnikov press office said in January, according to TASS<\/a>, a Russian state-news agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Russian military has had several false starts in announcing the acquisition of the new AK rifles, with retractions issued shortly after the initial celebratory announcements. This time, though, the news appears to have stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Young
A cadet examines the new Russian assault rifle AK-12 of Kalashnikov manufacturer during the ‘Army-2015’ international military forum in Kubinka, outside Moscow, on June 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO \/ VASILY MAXIMOV via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The new Kalashnikov variants were selected after undergoing trials throughout 2017, Kalashnikov Group CEO Alexei Krivoruchko told TASS. He added that the famed rifle manufacturer was ready to begin serial deliveries this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNew Kalashnikov rifles combine famous, battle-proven high reliability with modern ergonomics, increased hit probability and capabilities to effectively use all modern accessories, from red dot, night and IR sights to [under-barrel] grenade launchers, forward grips, lasers and flashlights, sound suppressors and more,\u201d the Kalashnikov Group<\/a> said in a press statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AK-12 and AK-15 rifles share many of the same parts and assemblies, aside from the ammunition used. Compact versions of both rifles, designed for close quarters battle, are available for Russian special operations forces, \u201cor as personal defense weapons for heavy armament and vehicle crews,\u201d the press statement reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two weapons\u2019 specifications \u2014 converted from metric \u2014 include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n