Rosoboronexport recently released a detailed video showcasing the Kalashnikov AM-17, a compact 5.45x39mm assault rifle developed to replace the AKS-74U, which officially ceased production in the 1990s.
The AM-17 combines the reliability and heritage of the AK platform with modern design elements that enhance mobility and usability in close-quarters combat scenarios, such as a new polymer lower.
With development beginning in the late 2010s, the rifle has recently completed acceptance trials. It is slated for serial production soon, marking a significant update in Russia’s small arms inventory and potentially serving as a source of income from exports to fuel the ongoing war machine.
In the video, the presenter tells us that the AM-17 weighs about 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) and measures just 490 millimeters (19.3 inches) when folded, extending to 750 millimeters (29.5 inches) with the stock deployed.
This compact size is designed to ensure ease of handling in tight spaces, such as urban environments or inside vehicles, making it especially suitable for special operations, airborne troops, vehicle crews, and law enforcement personnel.
The rifle, of course, utilizes a short-stroke gas piston system that is said to significantly improve firing control and accuracy compared to its predecessor, as demonstrated in the video with a few short full-auto bursts from the shooting demonstrator.
Meanwhile, its full-length Picatinny rail and ambidextrous controls accommodate modern tactical accessories and varied user preferences.
Rosoboronexport’s presentation takes a lot of time to laud the AM-17’s blend of “high mobility, modern ergonomics, and rugged dependability,” highlighting features such as adjustable telescoping stock, reversible charging handle, and a foldable design to meet the demands of modern building-to-building combat operations.
With a cyclic rate of fire estimated between 700 and 850 rounds per minute, the rifle is designed to deliver rapid and reliable performance in close-quarters scenarios, much like a PDW would.
This introduction is also interesting, considering the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where weapons that offer both flexibility and firepower are highly valuable, and the battlefield has turned into lots of vehicle assaults and trench warfare.
The AM-17’s compactness and modern features mean it could enhance Russian forces’ operational capacities, particularly for their special forces units tasked with taking and holding urban or confined objectives.
However, it’s anyone’s guess as to how capable Russia is of not only producing and fielding this new weapon for its own soldiers, let alone any potential export customers.
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