| AK-103 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2001–present[1] |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars |
|
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
| Designed | 1993 |
| Manufacturer | Kalashnikov Concern |
| Unit cost | Gov. price US$150–160 per unit in 2014 |
| Produced | 1994–present |
| No. built | 250,000+ |
| Variants | AK-104 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) empty[3] 4.1 kg (8.2 lb) with loaded magazine |
| Length | 943 mm (37.1 in) stock extended / 705 mm (27.8 in) stock folded[3] |
| Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in)[3] |
| Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
| Caliber | 7.62mm |
| Action | Gas operated,rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 715 m/s (2,346 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 350 m (380 yd) at point-blank range[3] 500 m (550 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachablebox magazine |
| Sights | Iron sights, with a dove tail side rail for mounting optical and night sights |
TheAK-103 is anassault rifle designed by Russiansmall arms designerMikhail Kalashnikov.
The AK-103 was officially offered for export on March 13, 1993.[4]
It is anAK-100 derivative of theAK-74M that is chambered for the7.62x39mmM43 cartridge, similar to theAKM. The AK-103 can be fitted with a variety of sights, includingnight vision andtelescopic sights, plus a knife-bayonet or agrenade launcher like theGP-34. Newer versions can fitPicatinny rails, allowing more accessories to be mounted. It uses plastic components where possible instead of wood or metal, with such components being thepistol 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.[5]
TheAK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103 chambered for7.62×39mm ammunition.[6] It has a muzzle brake derived from the olderAKS-74U combined with a shorter barrel.
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The current issue steel-reinforced matte true black nonreflective surface finished 7.62×39mm 30-round magazines, fabricated fromABS plastic weigh 0.25 kg (0.55 lb) empty.[7] 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.[8][9]
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)[10] | 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)[11][12] | 12 magazines for 360 rounds 9.83 kg (21.7 lb) |
| AK-103/AK-104 (1993) | 7.62×39mm | 16.3 g (252 gr) | Steel-reinforced plastic 250 g (0.55 lb) | 30-rounds 739 g (1.629 lb)[11][12] | 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.
The semi-automatic only variant of the AK-103 is designated the AK-103-1, and thethree round burst is designated the AK-103-2.[6]
A Vietnamese version known as theSTL-1A is made byFactory Z111 and is used by thePeople'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.
The CS/LR11 is a clone of the AK-103 made by China Jing An Import & Export Corporation (CJAIE).[13]
Chinese clone of the AK-103[14] marketed by Sino Defense Manufacturing.[15]
The KR-103 is asemi-automatic clone of the AK-103 made byKalashnikov USA.[16]
Algeria: Used by theParachute Commando Regiments[17]
Armenia: The licensed production of the AK-103 started in July 2020.[18]
Ethiopia: The Gafat Armament Engineering Complex produces the AK-103 rifle in Ethiopia. Supplements the AKM and AK-47 in theEthiopian Armed Forces[broken anchor]. It was reported in 2014 that the deal didn't go through at all.[19]
Iran: The sale of an undisclosed number of AK-103s for use by sections of the Iranian special forces and marines and use byIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps special forces.[20] The IRGC is reported to be using the AK-103.[21]
India: Used byMARCOS ofIndian Navy. 70,000 units inducted by theIndian Air Force (alsoGarud Commando).[22][23]
Libya: Seen in the hands ofanti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists in numerous photos. The rifles in use are the AK-103-2 version.[24]
Maldives: Used byMaldives National Defence Force[25]
Namibia: Used byNamibian Marine Corps[26]
Pakistan: Unlicensed Clone "PK-21" in production byPakistan Ordnance Factories.[27]
Palestine: Used by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.[28]
Russia: Used bySpetsnaz GRU,SSO, selectiveVDV andRussian Naval Infantry units,Wagner Group,Alpha Group and Police / Spetsnaz units of theMinistry of Internal Affairs.[6]
Saudi Arabia:[29] A license to produce AK-103 rifles was granted to Saudi Arabia in 2017.[30][31][32]
Syria: Captured from rebels. Used by theSyrian Arab Army.[33]
Venezuela: First 30,000 AK-103 rifles were received in June 2006.[34] Made under license byCAVIM.[35] CAVIM's AK-103 factories opened officially in 2012 without the necessary manufacturing equipment.[36] CAVIM-made AK-103s were delivered to theVenezuelan 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,[38] full-scale production started by 2019.[39]
Uruguay: 500 AK-103s for the Uruguayan National Guard.[40]
Yemen: AK-103s made in Yemen as reported in February 2022.[41]
Guardians of Religion Organization[42]_service_member_fires_a_rifle_during_an_annual_rifle_qualification_on_the_island_of_Girifushi%2c_Maldives%2c_Jan._15%2c_2014_140115-M-BO337-022.jpg)
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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
