The AK-12 assault rifle, adopted by the Russian Armed Forces in February 2018, meets contemporary operational requirements with significant advancements in ergonomics and combat convenience. Notable improvements over its predecessors include enhanced accuracy and precision, alongside the versatility to accommodate a range of modern optical and electronic devices, such as collimator, optical, night vision, and thermal sights, making it suitable for continuous operation. Following its deployment in special military operations, the AK-12 underwent design modifications in 2023 to optimize its field performance. At the IDEX 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, Sergey Urzhumcev, the chief designer at Kalashnikov Concern, indicated interest from several Russian military units in shorter, more compact variants of the AK-12 and AK-15 models. This ongoing evolution underscores the AK-12’s strategic relevance, ensuring it remains a critical asset in modern warfare scenarios.
