AK-103

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AK-103
AK-103 Assault Rifle noBG.png
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service2001–present[1]
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerMikhail Kalashnikov
Designed1994
ManufacturerKalashnikov Concern
Unit costGov. price US$150–160 per unit in 2014
Produced1994–present
No. built250,000+
VariantsAK-104
Specifications
Mass3.6 kg (7.9 lb) empty[2]
Length943 mm (37.1 in) stock extended / 705 mm (27.8 in) stock folded[2]
Barrel length415 mm (16.3 in)[2]
Cartridge7.62×39mm
Caliber7.62mm
ActionGas operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity715 m/s (2,346 ft/s)
Effective firing range350 m (380 yd) at point-blank range[2]
500 m (550 yd)
Feed system30-round detachable box magazine
SightsIron sights, with a dove tail side rail for mounting optical and night sights

The AK-103 is an assault rifle designed by Russian small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1994. 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. It 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.

Design details[]

AK-103 with the stock folded.

Protective coatings for corrosion resistance of metal parts. Forearm, magazine, butt stock and pistol grip are made of high strength shatterproof plastic.[3]

The AK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103. It has a muzzle brake derived from the older AKS-74U combined with a shorter barrel. It is chambered for 7.62×39mm ammunition.[4]

Magazines[]

The current issue steel-reinforced matte true black nonreflective surface finished 7.62×39mm 30-round magazines, fabricated from ABS plastic weigh 0.25 kg (0.55 lb) empty.[5] Early steel AK-47 magazines are 9.75 in (248 mm) long, and the later ribbed steel AKM and newer plastic 7.62×39mm magazines are about 1 in (25 mm) shorter.[6][7]

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. 10.12 kg (22.3 lb) ammunition load*
AK-47 (1949) 7.62×39mm 16.3 g (252 gr) Slab-sided steel
430 g (0.95 lb) 		30-rounds
916 g (2.019 lb)[8] 		11 magazines for 330 rounds
10.08 kg (22.2 lb)
AKM (1959) 7.62×39mm 16.3 g (252 gr) Ribbed stamped-steel
330 g (0.73 lb) 		30-rounds
819 g (1.806 lb)[9][10] 		12 magazines for 360 rounds
9.83 kg (21.7 lb)
AK-103/AK-104 (1994) 7.62×39mm 16.3 g (252 gr) Steel-reinforced plastic
250 g (0.55 lb) 		30-rounds
739 g (1.629 lb)[9][10] 		13 magazines for 390 rounds
9.61 kg (21.2 lb)

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.[4]

STL-1A[]

A Vietnamese version known as the STL-1A is made by Factory Z111 and is used by the People's Army of Vietnam. Another modernized version called the STL-1B is currently planned.[citation needed] It first appeared in the 2018 Indo Defence Expo & Forum.

KR-103[]

The KR-103 is a semi-automatic clone of the AK-103 made by Kalashnikov USA.[11]

Users[]

  •  Algeria: Used by the Parachute Commando Regiments[12]
  •  Armenia: The licensed production of the AK-103 started in July 2020.[13]
  •  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.[14]
  •  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 force[15] The IRGC is reported to be using the AK-103.[16]
  •  Libya: Seen in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists in numerous photos. The rifles in use are the AK-103-2 version.[17]
  •  Namibia: Used by Namibian Marine Corps[18]
  •  Pakistan: License production under the name "PK-21" by Pakistan Ordnance Factory.[19]
  •  Palestine: Used by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.[20]
  •  Russia: Used by Spetsnaz GRU and Ministry of Internal Affairs.[4]
  •  Saudi Arabia:[21] A license to produce AK-103 rifles was granted to Saudi Arabia in 2017.[22][23][24]
  •  Venezuela: First 30,000 AK-103 rifles were received in June 2006.[25] Made under license by CAVIM with initial licensing fee payments made in 2006 and the transfer of Russian-made AK-103s to Venezuela in 2008.[26] CAVIM's AK-103 factories opened officially in 2012 without the necessary manufacturing equipment.[26][27] CAVIM-made AK-103s were delivered to the Venezuelan Army in 2013.[28] 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,[29] full-scale production started by 2019.[30]

Non-state actors[]

Gallery[]

  • AK-103 with GP-34 Grenade Launcher.

  • Maldives National Defense Force soldier with an AK-103

  • U.S. Marine teaching a reloading technique with the AK-103 to Maldives National Defense Force members

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Presentation of the unique Kalashnikov small arms collection in the Moscow Kremlin Museum". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 2015-04-11. AK-103 – Kalashnikov assault rifle, caliber 7.62 mm. It is designed for the 7.62-mm cartridge of the 1943 model. This model was included in the inventory in 2001
  2. ^ a b c d "AK-103". Kalashnikov Concern. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  3. ^ "7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifles AK103, АК104". Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (September 2012). "The 100-Series Kalashnikovs: A Primer". Small Arms Review. Vol. 16 no. 3. Archived from the original on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  5. ^ "Официальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ"". Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  6. ^ Rifle Evaluation Study Archived 2012-12-01 at the Wayback Machine, United States Army, Combat Development Command, ADA046961, 20 Dec 1962
  7. ^ "Are kalashnikov magazines as robust as their reputation? He tormented a selection of AR magazines last year, now he takes on the AK. The results you may find surprising". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  8. ^ Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-425-21750-4.
  9. ^ a b "Ak 47 Technical Description - Manual". Scribd.com. 2010-09-30. Archived from the original on 2012-03-28. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
  10. ^ a b Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102.
  11. ^ "Explore Kalashnikov USA KR-103 RIFLE". Kalashnikov USA. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  12. ^ The World Defence Almanac (March 2010). "Military Technology Magazine". XXXIV. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ^ "Armenian assault rifle factory begins production". Janes.com.
  14. ^ "North Korea and Ethiopia, brothers in arms | NK News". 4 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  15. ^ "Exclusive: Iran Imports AK-103 Rifles from Russia". Tasnim News Agency. 2016-08-06. Archived from the original on 2016-08-07. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  16. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-02-12. Retrieved 2019-02-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ "Update II: AK-103 Exports to Libya". Security Scholar. 31 October 2011. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  18. ^ "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  19. ^ "Pakistan Ordnance Factories Reveals New PK18 and PK21 Assault Rifles". Quwa. 2019-10-31. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
  20. ^ "Research Report No. 5: A Tale of Two Rifles – Armament Research Services". 2 March 2016.
  21. ^ "How an AK-103 Works". allinallnews. November 3, 2015. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017.
  22. ^ "Saudi Arabia to Start Licensed Manufacturing of AK-103 Rifles". 10 October 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  23. ^ "РФ и Саудовская Аравия подписали меморандум о покупке и локализации продукции ВПК". TASS. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  24. ^ Moss, Matthew (2019-02-19). "Saudi Arabia to Receive First AK-103s Soon". Overt Defense. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  25. ^ полковник С. Сергеев. О реформе вооруженных сил Венесуэлы // "Зарубежное военное обозрение", № 8, 2006. стр.22-24
  26. ^ a b John Pike. "Defense Industry". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  27. ^ Christopher Looft (19 July 2012). "Venezuela Set to Mass Produce Kalashnikovs, Sniper Rifles". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  28. ^ "Cavim inicia entrega de fusiles de asalto Kalashnikov AK-103 a la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela". Infodefensa.com. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  29. ^ "Venezuelan AK-103 Factory Will Start Working in 2019 -". 12 December 2016. Archived from the original on 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  30. ^ "Venezuelan Kalashnikov Plant to Begin AK-103 Manufacture in 2019 -". 13 April 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  31. ^ "Syrie: comment al-Qaïda reprend pied en zone djihadiste". France Soir (in French). 28 June 2018. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  32. ^ Savannah de Tessières (January 2018). At the Crossroads of Sahelian Conflicts: Insecurity, Terrorism, and Arms Trafficking in Niger (PDF) (Report). Small Arms Survey. p. 24. ISBN 978-2-940548-48-4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-05.

External links[]

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