AK-103

AK-103
AK-103
	; AK-103
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Mikhail Kalashnikov
Designed	1994
Manufacturer	Izhmash
Number built	160,000+
Variants	AK-104
Specifications
Weight	3.4 kg (7.5 lb)
Length	943 mm (37.1 in) stock extended / 700 mm (27.6 in) stock folded
Barrel length	415 mm (16.3 in)
Cartridge	7.62x39mm
Action	Gas operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	600-650 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	750 m/s (2,461 ft/s)
Effective range	500 m
Feed system	30-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Rear notch on sliding scale and front post

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The AK-103 is a modern, Russian-designed version of the famous AKM assault rifle, chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 round. It combines the AKM design with developments from the AK-74 and AK-74M, with the use of plastics to replace metal or wooden components wherever possible to reduce overall weight. The AK-103 can be fitted with a variety of sights, including laser, night vision, and telescopic sights, plus a suppressor and the GP-30 grenade launcher.

The AK-103 is most likely in limited service with select units in the Russian Army Spetsnaz, due to the good armor and cover penetration of the 7.62x39mm, and is already being exported to other countries such as Venezuela. During the Red Mosque siege (2007) in Islamabad, Pakistani special forces used the AK-103.

[edit] Design details

AK-103 with the stock folded.

Differences from the AKM series include redesigned rear and front trunnions, as well as a 90 degree gas block, AK-74 style front sight block, the use of a black ribbed 30-round magazine constructed of phenolic resin (which is AKM-compatible as well), an AK-74-type muzzle brake, and black synthetic furniture with a heat shield.

The AK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103. It combines features from the older AKS-74U carbine with features from the AK-74M rifle, giving a more accurate carbine. It is also chambered for 7.62x39mm ammunition.

The weapon is essentially a re-calibered AK-74M developed alongside the AK-101 as an updated version of the aging AKM and AKMS assault rifles.

[edit] Users

Bangladesh
Bhutan
Cambodia
Ethiopia - The Gafat Armament Engineering Complex produces the AK-103 rifle in Ethiopia.^[1]
India – The Russian arms company Izhmash will shortly issue a license to an India arms manufacturer with whom negotiations are on-going at an advanced stage. Company Spokesperson Alexander Xavarzin said “Assembling of the AK-103 will begin in a years time and full scale manufacturing would start once the technology transfer to takes place"^[2]
Russia – The AK-103 assault rifle was adopted for service within the Ministry of Justice of Russian Federation. It is used by personnel who guard the penal colonies.
Venezuela – In May 2005 the Department of Defense of Venezuela signed a contract with the Russian company Rosoboronexport to purchase 100,000 AK-103 rifles as well as the purchase of machinery and technology to domestically manufacture the corresponding ammunition.^[3] Venezuela received its first shipment of 30,000 rifles on June 3, 2006. A second shipment of 32,000 AK-103s arrived on August 30th. The third and final shipment was delivered on November 29th, 2006. The rifles are planned to replace approximately 60,000 Belgian FAL rifles bought in 1953, as well as a further number of domestically produced FAL rifles. A manufacturing plant of the Russian rifles in Maracay would be fully operational in mid-2010, with a production capacity of 50,000 units per year.^[4]^[5]