AK-103
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The AK-103 is an assault rifle designed by Russian small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov.
History
The AK-103 was officially offered for export on March 13, 1993.[1]
Design details
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It is an AK-100 derivative of the AK-74M that is chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge, similar to the AKM.
The AK-103 can be fitted with a variety of sights, including night vision and telescopic sights, plus a knife-bayonet or a grenade launcher like the GP-34. Newer versions can fit Picatinny rails, allowing more accessories to be mounted.
The AK-103 uses plastic components where possible instead of wood or metal, with such components being the pistol grip, handguards, folding stock and depending on the type, the magazine.
Protective coatings for corrosion resistance of metal parts. Forearm, magazine, butt stock and pistol grip are made of high strength shatterproof plastic.[2]
The AK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103 chambered for 7.62×39mm ammunition.[3] It has a muzzle brake derived from the older AKS-74U combined with a shorter barrel.
Magazines
The current issue steel-reinforced matte true black nonreflective surface finished 7.62×39mm 30-round magazines, fabricated from ABS plastic weigh Script error: No such module "convert". empty.[4] Early steel AK-47 magazines are Script error: No such module "convert". long, and the later ribbed steel AKM and newer plastic 7.62×39mm magazines are about Script error: No such module "convert". shorter.[5][6]
The transition from steel to mainly plastic magazines yielded a significant weight reduction and allow a soldier to carry more rounds for the same weight.
| Rifle | Cartridge | Cartridge weight | Weight of empty magazine | Weight of loaded magazine | Max. Script error: No such module "convert". ammunition load* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK-47 (1949) | 7.62×39mm | 16.3 g (252 gr) | Slab-sided steel Script error: No such module "convert". |
30-rounds Script error: No such module "convert".[7] |
11 magazines for 330 rounds Script error: No such module "convert". |
| AKM (1959) | 7.62×39mm | 16.3 g (252 gr) | Ribbed stamped-steel Script error: No such module "convert". |
30-rounds Script error: No such module "convert".[8][9] |
12 magazines for 360 rounds Script error: No such module "convert". |
| AK-103/AK-104 (1993) | 7.62×39mm | 16.3 g (252 gr) | Steel-reinforced plastic Script error: No such module "convert". |
30-rounds Script error: No such module "convert".[8][9] |
13 magazines for 390 rounds Script error: No such module "convert". |
Note: All, 7.62×39mm AK magazines are backwards compatible with older AK variants.
Note *: 10.12 kg (22.3 lb) is the maximum amount of ammo that the average soldier can comfortably carry. It also allows for best comparison of the three most common 7.62×39mm AK platform magazines.
Variants
The semi-automatic only variant of the AK-103 is designated the AK-103-1, and the three round burst is designated the AK-103-2.[3]
STL-1A
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The STL-1A (or also called the STL-A1)[10]
CS/LR11
The CS/LR11 is a clone of the AK-103 made by China Jing An Import & Export Corporation (CJAIE).[11]
SDM AK-103
Chinese clone of the AK-103[12] marketed by Sino Defense Manufacturing.[13]
KR-103
The KR-103 is a semi-automatic clone of the AK-103 made by Kalashnikov USA.[14]
PSA AK-103
The PSA AK-103 is a semi-automatic partial clone of the AK-103 made by Palmetto State Armory.[15] It shares many features of the AK-103, except that it uses an AKM style bolt and bolt carrier.
Users
- File:Flag of Algeria.svg Algeria: Used by the Parachute Commando Regiments[16]
- File:Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia: The licensed production of the AK-103 started in July 2020.[17]
- File:Flag of Ethiopia.svg Ethiopia: The Gafat Armament Engineering Complex produces the AK-103 rifle in Ethiopia. Supplements the AKM and AK-47 in the Ethiopian Armed Forces. It was reported in 2014 that the deal didn't go through at all.[18]
- File:Flag of Iran.svg Iran: The sale of an undisclosed number of AK-103s for use by sections of the Iranian special forces and marines and use by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps special forces was reported.[19] The IRGC is reported to be using the AK-103.[20]
- File:Flag of India.svg India: Used by MARCOS of Indian Navy. 70,000 units inducted by the Indian Air Force (also Garud Commando).[21][22] Used by Kerala Police.[23]
- File:Flag of Libya.svg Libya: Seen in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists in numerous photos. The rifles in use are the AK-103-2 version.[24]
- File:Flag of Maldives.svg Maldives: Used by Maldives National Defence Force[25]
- File:Flag of Namibia.svg Namibia: Used by Namibian Marine Corps[26]
- File:Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan: Unlicensed Clone "PK-21" in production by Pakistan Ordnance Factories.[27]
- Template:Country data Palestine: Used by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.[28]
- File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia: Used by Spetsnaz GRU, SSO, selective VDV and Russian Naval Infantry units, Wagner Group, Alpha Group and Police / Spetsnaz units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.[3]
- File:Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia:[29] A license to produce AK-103 rifles was granted to Saudi Arabia in 2017.[30][31][32]
- File:Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg Syria: Captured from rebels. Used by the Syrian Arab Army.[33]
- File:Flag of Venezuela.svg Venezuela: First 30,000 AK-103 rifles were received in June 2006.[34] Made under license by CAVIM.[35] CAVIM's AK-103 factories opened officially in 2012 without the necessary manufacturing equipment.[36] CAVIM-made AK-103s were delivered to the Venezuelan Army in 2013.[37] Due to trouble with the plant with the Russian contractor failing to meet deadlines with a case of fraud, which forced CAVIM to finish the rest of the construction with manufacturing to start by 2019,[38] full-scale production of ammunition started in July 2025 with a capacity of 70 million rounds a year.[39][40]
- File:Flag of Uruguay.svg Uruguay: 500 AK-103s for the Uruguayan National Guard.[41]
- File:Flag of Yemen.svg Yemen: AK-103s made in Yemen as reported in February 2022.[42]
Non-state actors
- File:Guardians Of Religion INFOBOX flag.png Guardians of Religion Organization[43]
- MUJAO used an ex-Libyan AK-103-2 in Agadez and Arlit attacks in 2013.[44]
Gallery
-
Maldives National Defense Force soldier with an AK-103
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References
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- ↑ Новые разработки знаменитого семейства АК с улучшенными боевыми и эксплуатационными характеристиками // газета "Красная Звезда" от 6 марта 1993 г.
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- ↑ Rifle Evaluation Study Template:Webarchive, United States Army, Combat Development Command, ADA046961, 20 Dec 1962
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- ↑ a b Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102.
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- ↑ https://inside.safariland.com/blog/palmetto-state-armory-ak-103-a-reliable-american-ak/
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- ↑ полковник С. Сергеев. О реформе вооруженных сил Венесуэлы // "Зарубежное военное обозрение", № 8, 2006. стр.22-24
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External links
- Modern Firearms - AK-103
- Kalashnikov.guns.ru
- Izhmash page on the AK-103