Trisha Shetty (Editor)

AK 103

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Type
  
Assault rifle

In service
  
2001–present

Designer
  
Mikhail Kalashnikov

Place of origin
  
Russia

Used by
  
See Users

AK-103

Wars
  
First Chechen War Second Chechen War Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen See other conflicts and wars

The AK-103 assault rifle is a derivative of the AK-74M chambered for the 7.62×39mm M43 round, similar to the older 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. It uses plastic components where possible instead of wood or metal.

Contents

Design details

Protective coatings ensure excellent corrosion resistance of metal parts. Forearm, magazine, butt stock and pistol grip are made of high strength plastic.

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 also chambered for 7.62×39mm ammunition.

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. 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.

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.

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.

AK-103

Standard automatic version for the military market

AK-103-1

This is a semiautomatic version for the police and civilian market

AK-103-2

This version has a three-round burst feature (3) added in between full automatic (АВ) and the fully engaged semi automatic settings (ОД) and is version for police and civilian market

AK-103N2

Has a mount for the 1PN58 night scope

AK-103N3

Has a mount for the 1PN51 night scope

AK-104

Carbine version of the AK-103.

Users

  •  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's reported in 2014 that the deal didn't go through at all.
  •  India: Used by Naval Special Forces or MARCOS. The Russian arms company Izhmash is negotiating issuing a license to an Indian private arms manufacturer to produce the AK-103.
  •  Iran: Certain units of the Iranian Armed Forces are going to be equipped with the new weapons. The sale of an undisclosed number of AK-103s for use by sections of the Iranian special forces is being negotiated.
  •  Libya: Seen in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists in numerous photos. The rifles in use are the AK-103-2 version .
  •  Namibia: Used by Namibian Marine Corps
  •  Pakistan: Pakistan Armed Forces are planning to purchase large numbers of the AK-103 assault rifle.
  •  Russia: Used by various special police groups, special operations forces and civilians . It is also in limited service with the Russian Army.
  •  Venezuela: Standard issue weapon of the Venezuelan Army . 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. CAVIM's AK-103 factories opened officially in 2012. CAVIM-made AK-103s were delivered to the Venezuelan Army in 2013.
  •  Saudi Arabia: Used by Airborne Units and Special Security Forces in the Royal Saudi Land Forces.

    • Non-State Actors

  • al-Quds Brigades
  • Taliban
  • Hezbollah

    • References

    AK-103 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA