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The AK-100 family is a series of Kalashnikov rifles, based on the AK-74M, intended for export sales. [1] The AK-100 family of rifles is offered in multiple cartridges and barrel lengths. [2]
The original AK-100 series were introduced in 1994 and are categorised by all having black polymer handguards, folding polymer stocks, and use of AK-74M internal systems. Parts are highly interchangeable. [3]
The models of the AK-100 series are:
| Chambering | Assault Rifle | Carbine |
|---|---|---|
| 5.56×45mm NATO | AK-101 | AK-102 |
| 7.62×39mm | AK-103 | AK-104 |
| 5.45×39mm | AK-74M | AK-105 |
Even with the different barrel lengths and calibres, all of the assault rifles and carbines are made to similar specifications. [3]
The AK-100 series have been exported to and/or adopted by a variety of countries, notably: Armenia, Cyprus, Serbia, Syria, Uruguay, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Venezuela. [5]
The AK-105 has also seen some domestic use, filling a niche role as a middle ground between the AK-74M and AKS-74U. [6] [7] [8]
Kalashnikov Concern also started the development of the AK-107 (5.45×39mm) / AK-108 (5.56×45mm NATO) / AK-109 (7.62×39mm). Externally they are very similar to the AK-100 series (with some minor differences) and are offered in the same calibers. Internally they use a radically different gas system and incorporate the Balanced Automatics Recoil System (BARS).
A special-purpose assault rifle variant was later designed based on the AK-100 series, designated as the AK-9 and is chambered in 9×39mm cartridge.
The AK-200 rifle family was initially conceived around 2009, initially known as the AK-100M series, which is an improved variant of the AK-100 series. The development of the AK-100M series was stopped around 2011, then resumed around 2016. In 2017, Kalashnikov unveiled the modernised versions of the AK-100 family of rifles, under the designation AK-200 series. Main key takeaways compared to the AK-100 variants is the additional picatinny rails, accurized barrel, improved flash hider device, pinned barrel components instead of pressed in. Additionally, the handguard possesses 4 rails instead of two, with a rail on the top of the dustcover, which is hinged. Overall, it is considerably designed to use modern optics compared to its predecessor. [9]
As of 2018, the AK-200 series of rifles are offered for export sales and for domestic law enforcement users in Russia. [10] [11] [12] [13] The AK-200 series are based on the AK-100 series and the AK-12. They can be chambered in 5.45×39mm, 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×39mm, and use a barrel and gas system assembly and iron sights line similar to that of the AK-74M/AK-100 rifle family. Improvements added from the AK-12 include Picatinny rails, a new pistol grip, a new adjustable buttstock and a new flash hider. [14] They feed from 30-round magazines, and are compatible with drum magazines from the RPK and RPK-74. [15]
The models of the AK-200 series are:
| Chambering | Assault Rifle | Carbine |
|---|---|---|
| 5.45×39mm | AK-200 | AK-205 |
| 5.56×45mm NATO | AK-201 | AK-202 |
| 7.62×39mm | AK-203 | AK-204 |
On 3 March 2019, Russia and India inaugurated Indo-Russia Rifles in Uttar Pradesh, India to produce AK-203 assault rifles. [16] [17] However, no contract had been signed then or rifles produced because of pricing disagreements. [18] [19] In August 2021, India signed a contract to directly import 70,000 AK-203s from Russia. [20] [21] In November 2021, Russia and India finally signed a contract to produce over 671,000 7.62×39mm AK-203 assault rifles that will be produced locally for India's Republic Defense Ministry. [22]