Late last month Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said that the Ratnik “future soldier uniform” would feature the AK-12 rifle, which had initially performed better than its A-971 rival, developed by the Degtyarev plant. The Degtyarev designers made all the necessary amends, resulting in the A-545, which is an updated version of the A-971 and was eventually selected alongside the AK-12 to run the final test scheduled for the end of this year.
The Ratnik combat outfit provides soldiers with all the necessary equipment for survival and successful engagement in combat – ranging from a bullet-proof vest to a water filter, night vision devices, and the latest navigation aids: in all, a total of about 40 pieces of equipment.
The AK-12 is a fifth generation AK-pattern rifle, featuring several ergonomic improvements, a bolt catch, accessory rails, and a telescopic butt stock. It comes in in standard 5.45x39mm caliber and is fed from 30 round AK-74 box magazines, but 60 and 95 rounds magazines are also available.
It also has a lower recoil than the AK-74M.
The A-545 is an updated version of the AEK-971 rifle designed in early the 1980s for the AK-74M replacement program. It uses the 5.45x39mm rounds fed from standard 30-round or larger box magazines used by the AK-74, AK-74 and similar weapons.
