The new Kalashnikov AK-308 assault rifle is designed for export sales. This was stated in an interview with RT by the chief designer of the enterprise Sergey Urzhumtsev. At the same time, the company expects that the development will be in demand among Russian customers. The specialist is confident that the AK-308 "is suitable for modern combat missions."
“This product is an expression of our conceptual outlook on the use of small arms. We position the AK-308 as an automatic rifle, the main mode of fire of which is single. Of course, it can conduct automatic fire, but this option is provided for emergency cases. The concern plans to promote the AK-308 for export. At the same time, we are counting on interest in these weapons from Russian customers, ”said Urzhumtsev.
AK-308 was developed under the NATO army rifle cartridge 7.62 × 51 mm (.308 Win). The basis of the designers of "Kalashnikov" took the AK-12, which is attributed to the new generation of the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle. At the end of 2018, it was adopted by the ground forces, marines and airborne forces.
According to media reports, the AK-308 “borrowed” the receiver from the upgraded Kalashnikov RPK-74M light machine gun. It has a high margin of safety and is able to withstand cyclic shock loads when fired with a large-caliber cartridge.
A feature of the AK-308 is the implementation of the concept of a suspended barrel (free-floating barrel). With this scheme, the muzzle of the weapon is in contact only with the receiver, which reduces the number of vibrations during firing and, as a result, increases the accuracy of the fire.
"Universal weapon for battle"
The AK-308 was first introduced at the Army-2018 international military-technical forum. In a commentary on RT on the sidelines of the exhibition, marketing specialist at Kalashnikov concern Maxim Popenker stated that the machine was designed for conducting mostly single shots. According to him, the AK-308 is a light, powerful, reliable and high-precision weapon.
“We presented a machine that should primarily be exported. The machine was created under the 308th cartridge, which provides great penetration. This property is of great importance in the mountains, in the desert and settlements. Therefore, we count on the demand of third world countries, ”Popenker said.
- AK-308 at the international military-technical forum "Army-2018"
- globallookpress.com
The weight of the AK-308 is 4.3 kg, the total length is 880–940 mm, and the impact range is 800 m. The machine can be equipped with stores with a capacity of 20 or 30 rounds. Important advantages of the weapon are ergonomics and low cost compared to Western counterparts, Popenker added.
According to the expert, the AK-308 can replenish the arsenal of infantry units, army special forces and special forces of the power structures of the Russian Federation. Popenker’s colleague Aleksey Shumilov believes that the machine, after fine-tuning and testing for combat qualities, “should become a universal weapon for combat, as, indeed, all automatic machines of our production”.
“Our latest 7.62 × 51 mm machine gun is also equipped with Picatinny rails. Any sights, tactical lights and laser target indicators are easily mounted on these special adapters, made in the form of a “comb”, ”the Zvezda weekly quotes Shumilova.
The AK-308 is also equipped with a folding telescopic butt, which allows you to adjust the length of the weapon depending on the anthropometric data of the shooter. Moreover, for convenience, a fighter can fold his butt to the side. In particular, such an option is relevant for military personnel moving in the airborne squadron of an infantry fighting vehicle.
In January, in an interview with Kommersant, Vladimir Dmitriev, general director of the Kalashnikov concern, said that in 2019 the company could begin mass production of the AK-308. The competitive advantage of the product, according to a top manager, is a small number of "assault rifles in this caliber." Dmitriev did not disclose information about a possible export of weapons.
Meanwhile, AK-308 was highly appreciated abroad. At the end of 2018, The National Interest called this weapon “one of Kalashnikov’s most ambitious products in recent decades.”
The author of the material, Mark Episkopos, researcher at the Center for National Interests, included India, Brazil and Pakistan in the list of potential buyers of the AK-308. He recalled that Delhi is looking for a worthy replacement for the 7.62x51 mm caliber INSAS (Indian National Small Arms System).
"Expedient commercial move"
Experts interviewed by RT said that countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East that previously used NATO assault rifles and therefore do not want to switch to other ammunition standards may show interest in the AK-308. The key advantages of domestic weapons, analysts called the relatively low cost and the possibility of its adaptation to specific combat missions.
“The countries that previously operated or continue to use small arms manufactured by NATO countries may be included in the list of potential consumers. Naturally, consumers of the alliance's products in the amount of hundreds of millions of units purchased or produced 7.62 × 51 mm cartridges. I think that the creation of the AK-308 is a competent and expedient commercial move to oust Western rifles from the pedestal, ”says Alexey Leonkov, commercial director of Arsenal of the Fatherland, in an interview with RT.
According to the expert, Kalashnikov has good chances to expand the range of foreign customers. In his opinion, the machine under the .308 Win cartridge will be effective in battles against terrorists in the conditions of the city and mountainous terrain. He will also be able to hit the manpower of the enemy in modern equipment.
- AK-308 with additional equipment
- © Vitaly V.Kuzmin
In a RT commentary, military expert Yuri Knutov noted that the AK-308 was designed to increase penetration rates. The latest personal protective equipment is able to withstand the hit of low-pulse cartridges (in Russia - 5.45 mm, in NATO - 5.56 mm), the analyst said.
“Now on the agenda of many countries around the world is the issue of increasing the caliber of small arms. Protective equipment is constantly being improved, becoming lighter and more durable. But, as I understand it, the caliber of 7.62 mm is still relevant for special forces, including our country. In special forces, the option of accurate automatic fire is not critical, ”Knutov said.
The expert explained that with the enlargement of the caliber, the accuracy indicators of firing will inevitably worsen. In addition, a large cartridge increases the mass of weapons, making the fighter less mobile. Nevertheless, Knutov believes that in the foreseeable future, the leading military powers will gradually abandon low-pulse cartridges.
“In the context of the likely increase in the caliber of small arms, the AK-308 is a worthy experimental model of an assault rifle. Considering the enormous experience of Kalashnikov in developing automatic weapons, we can confidently say that the AK-308 is manufactured to the highest world standards and has all the known advantages of the Kalashnikov brainchild: the highest reliability, unpretentiousness and power, ”he summed up.