There are just a few items of close combat weapons that can have a claim to global fame. The Kalashnikov assault rifle and RPG-7V grenade launcher are among them. They are the choice that all belligerents make notwithstanding assigned missions, set objectives and changing combat situation. Soldiers seek to capture them in combat, even in armies fighting with indigenously made weapons. These weapons are rightfully held in respect by many soldiers and officers worldwide, who see them as symbols of Russian arms reliability, robustness and effectiveness. They have earned such high esteem in combat actions conducted in diverse geographical and climatic conditions, including on highlands, in hot deserts or humid tropics.

AK-10Xs adhere to the best traditions

The AK-47 assault rifle is the most famous and mass-produced small arms brand in history. One can hear hundreds of stories extolling amazing robustness, simplicity and reliability of its design. A soldier is always confident, even in most critical situations, that his AK will not fail him.

It is worthy of noting that during all its life the Kalashnikov assault rifle has been continuously upgraded: the AK-47 was superseded by the AKM model, later appeared the AK-74 and then its modernised AK-74M version.

Today’s heirs to the legendary weapon are the AK assault rifles of the hundredth series - AK-10X. The new family comprises the AK-101 and AK-103 models and small-size AK-102 and AK-104. They all retain the best qualities of their predecessors, and boast new advantages allowing them to meet requirements of modern-time armed conflicts.

Russian armourers have managed to decrease muzzle flame volume and shot recoil energy of the new Kalashnikovs. These assault rifles have increased stability of fire and closer hit pattern in the automatic fire mode.

The hundredth series models boast improved operational reliability and durability thanks to advanced high-strength materials used. The rifles are produced with the application of innovative small arms manufacturing technologies. A good deal of their components is manufactured by precision casting. The butt stock, forearm, hand guard, grip and magazine are made of shockproof glass-nylon black-colour composite (for this reason this AK series is named abroad “black Kalashnikovs”). They also use new anti-corrosive coatings.

Moreover, their unique design allows for creating modifications meeting varying customer requirements. Considering popularity of the Kalashnikov brand on the world market, Russian designers have created modifications of the new series adapted to different calibre cartridges. The AK-101 and AK-102 assault rifles are made to fire with 5.56-mm NATO cartridges, while AK-103 and AK-104 with 7.62-mm Soviet-type 1943 cartridges.

Thanks to component unification all assault rifles of the hundredth series also have high repairability characteristics. The need for adjustment of individual components and units during manufacture is totally excluded.

The Kalashnikov assault rifle has long transformed from a simple firing arm into a versatile combat complex. It can accommodate a wide range of accessories offered by Russian and foreign vendors. For example, the new assault rifles are fitted with a standard attachment rail to mount optical scopes, night sights, and GP-34 underbarrel antipersonnel grenade launchers.

RPG-7V: a portable close-range artillery weapon

The RPG-7 was inducted into service by the Soviet Army in 1961, and it is still in service with some 50 countries all over the world, including Russia. Like the Kalashnikov assault rifles, it has been effectively employed in all modern-time conflicts. Such long service life of the grenade launcher is due not only to its simple and unique design but also to the systematic upgrading and, what’s more important, to new munitions developed with the account of the combat employment experience.

Initially the RPG-7 grenade launcher was designed to fight tanks, but nowadays it is seen as a multi-purpose weapon. Its highly effective munitions allow the upgraded RPG-7V2 to perform a wide variety of tasks.

Thus, the cumulative jet produced by the PG-7VR tandem antitank rocket grenade easily pierces a 600-mm armour plate at the angle of 60 degrees to normal, after having penetrated modern explosive reactive armour. The OG-7V fragmentation grenade is employed against infantry troops both located in the open and concealed in shelters and buildings. It can also destroy non-armoured materiel. This grenade is especially effective for engaging enemy weapon emplacements when conducting military operations in urban terrain and on industrial sites. The TBG-7V fuel-air explosive grenade, nearly as powerful as a 120-mm artillery shell or mine, allows effective engagement of enemy manpower located in fortifications. Besides the RPG-7, the Russian RPG-29 is another world’s only grenade launcher capable of firing thermobaric grenades.

The RPG-7V2 grenade launcher is capable of performing most varied tasks: from destroying enemy heavy armour to suppressing fortified areas and even shooting down helicopters. It can be further upgraded by adopting existing and prospective sights as well as new types of ammunition.

License-made weapons guarantee unique reliability

In recent years Russia has been actively opposing unlicensed production of Soviet and Russian-designed weapons. A great part of 100 million units of various Kalashnikov assault rifle modifications are counterfeit. Unlicensed production is fraught not only with legal and commercial repercussions: for users quality and safety issues are also at serious stake. Practice shows that assault rifles produced without licence as well as non-Russian-made samples based on Kalashnikov’s design have notably inferior characteristics and, what is even more important, reliability as compared with the original.

In these circumstances Rosoboronexport offers the most flexible and mutually beneficial cooperation schemes allowing customers to become lawful owners of effective modern weapons. For instance, Russia is ready to hand over to India a licence for production of the new Kalashnikov assault rifles and render its assistance in setting up and mastering their production. It will allow an access to advanced technologies, and will guarantee high quality and reliability of the weapons produced. It is a logical and economical step for India to take since it is producing a similar weapon – the INSAS assault rifle.

Only licence weapons are meeting highest technical specifications and have tremendous endurance. And it is only weapon designers, in this case – Russia, who can offer modern weapon systems based on best traditions and huge experience.