AK-103

AK-103
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In service	2001–present [1]
Used by	See Users
Wars	War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present) Iraq War Libyan Civil War Syrian Civil War War in Iraq (2013-2017) Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen Saudi–Yemeni border conflict (2015–present) Tigray War [2] Russian invasion of Ukraine War in Amhara Gaza war
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 detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron sights, with a dove tail side rail for mounting optical and night sights

The AK-103 is an assault rifle designed by Russian small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov.

History

The AK-103 was officially offered for export on March 13, 1993. ^[4]

Design details

AK-103 with the stock folded.

It is an AK-100 derivative of the AK-74M that is chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge, similar to the 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 like the GP-34. Newer versions can fit Picatinny rails, allowing more accessories to be mounted. It uses plastic components where possible instead of wood or metal, with such components being the pistol 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]

The AK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103 chambered for 7.62×39mm ammunition. ^[6] It has a muzzle brake derived from the older AKS-74U combined with a shorter barrel.

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. ^[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.

Variants

The semi-automatic only variant of the AK-103 is designated the AK-103-1, and the three round burst is designated the AK-103-2. ^[6]

STL-1A

A Vietnamese version known as the STL-1A is made by Factory Z111 and is used by the People'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.

CS/LR11

The CS/LR11 is a clone of the AK-103 made by China Jing An Import & Export Corporation (CJAIE). ^[13]

SDM AK-103

Chinese clone of the AK-103 ^[14] marketed by Sino Defense Manufacturing. ^[15]

KR-103

The KR-103 is a semi-automatic clone of the AK-103 made by Kalashnikov USA. ^[16]

Users

A map with AK-103 users in red

•   Algeria: Used by the Parachute 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 the Ethiopian 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 by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps special forces. ^[20] The IRGC is reported to be using the AK-103. ^[21]
•   India : Used by MARCOS of Indian Navy. 70,000 units inducted by the Indian Air Force (also Garud Commando). ^{[22] [23]}
•   Libya: Seen in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists in numerous photos. The rifles in use are the AK-103-2 version. ^[24]
•   Maldives: Used by Maldives National Defence Force ^[25]
•   Namibia: Used by Namibian Marine Corps ^[26]
•   Pakistan: Unlicensed Clone "PK-21" in production by Pakistan Ordnance Factories. ^[27]
•   Palestine: Used by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. ^[28]
•   Russia: Used by Spetsnaz GRU, SSO, selective VDV and Russian Naval Infantry units, Wagner Group, Alpha Group and Police / Spetsnaz units of the Ministry 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 the Syrian Arab Army. ^[33]
•   Venezuela: First 30,000 AK-103 rifles were received in June 2006. ^[34] Made under license by CAVIM. ^[35] CAVIM's AK-103 factories opened officially in 2012 without the necessary manufacturing equipment. ^[36] CAVIM-made AK-103s were delivered to the Venezuelan 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]

Non-state actors

• Guardians of Religion Organization ^[42]
• MUJAO used an ex-Libyan AK-103-2 in Agadez and Arlit attacks in 2013. ^[43]

Gallery

• 
  Maldives National Defense Force soldier with an AK-103
• 
  U.S. Marine teaching a reloading technique with the AK-103 to Maldives National Defense Force members

References

1. "Presentation of the unique Kalashnikov small arms collection in the Moscow Kremlin Museum". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015. 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
2. Noir, War. "MW Exclusive: Ethiopia Using Weapons Supplied by Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan". www.militantwire.com. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
3. "AK-103". Kalashnikov Concern. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
4. Новые разработки знаменитого семейства АК с улучшенными боевыми и эксплуатационными характеристиками // газета "Красная Звезда" от 6 марта 1993 г.
5. "7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifles AK103, АК104". Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
6. Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (September 2012). "The 100-Series Kalashnikovs: A Primer". Small Arms Review. Vol. 16, no. 3. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
7. "Официальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ"". Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
8. Rifle Evaluation Study Archived 2012-12-01 at the Wayback Machine , United States Army, Combat Development Command, ADA046961, 20 Dec 1962
9. "Are kalashnikov magazines as robust as their reputation? He tormented a selection of AR magazines last year, now he takes on the AK. The results you may find surprising". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
10. Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. Penguin. p. 102. ISBN   978-0-425-21750-4.
11. "Ak 47 Technical Description - Manual". Scribd.com. 30 September 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
12. Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102.
13. "7.62 mm Automatic Rifle Type CS/LR11_Rifle_Weapon_Products_Jing An". cjaie.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
14. "Yemeni Buyer's Guide: How to Distinguish between Russian and Chinese AK-103 -The Firearm Blog". 4 February 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
15. "SDM AKS-74 and AKS-103: a tale of two AKs". GUNSweek.com. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
16. "Explore Kalashnikov USA KR-103 RIFLE". Kalashnikov USA. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
17. "The World Defence Almanac". Military Technology Magazine. Vol. XXXIV. March 2010.
18. "Armenian assault rifle factory begins production". Janes.com.
19. "North Korea and Ethiopia, brothers in arms | NK News" . 4 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
20. "Exclusive: Iran Imports AK-103 Rifles from Russia". Tasnim News Agency. 6 August 2016. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
21. "Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Deploying AK-103 Rifles". Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
22. Used by Mizoram Police of Indian Navy. 6,000 units inducted by the Mizoram Police (also Mizoram Commando) "Indian Air Force to replace INSAS rifles with new AK-103 weapons, details here". Hindustan Times. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
23. Dubey, Ajit K (28 August 2021). "IAF signs emergency deal for 70,000 AK-103 assault rifles with Russia". ANI News.
24. "Update II: AK-103 Exports to Libya". Security Scholar. 31 October 2011. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
25. "New military welfare company formed". 17 October 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
26. "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. June 2016. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
27. "Pakistan Ordnance Factories Reveals New PK18 and PK21 Assault Rifles". Quwa. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
28. "Research Report No. 5: A Tale of Two Rifles". Armament Research Services . 2 March 2016.
29. "How an AK-103 Works". allinallnews. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017.
30. "Saudi Arabia to Start Licensed Manufacturing of AK-103 Rifles". 10 October 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
31. "РФ и Саудовская Аравия подписали меморандум о покупке и локализации продукции ВПК". TASS. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
32. Moss, Matthew (19 February 2019). "Saudi Arabia to Receive First AK-103s Soon". Overt Defense. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
33. "From Russia with Love, Syria's AK-74Ms". 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 6 February 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
34. полковник С. Сергеев. О реформе вооруженных сил Венесуэлы // "Зарубежное военное обозрение", № 8, 2006. стр.22-24
35. Khakee, Anna; Dreyfus, Pablo; Glatz, Anne-Kathrin (10 June 2006). "3. An Uphill Battle: Understanding Small Arms Transfers". Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business. Geneva, Switzerland: Oxford University Press. p. 87. ISBN   9780199298488 . Retrieved 19 September 2023.
36. Christopher Looft (19 July 2012). "Venezuela Set to Mass Produce Kalashnikovs, Sniper Rifles". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
37. "Cavim inicia entrega de fusiles de asalto Kalashnikov AK-103 a la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela". Infodefensa.com. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
38. "Venezuelan AK-103 Factory Will Start Working in 2019 -". 12 December 2016. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
39. "Venezuelan Kalashnikov Plant to Begin AK-103 Manufacture in 2019 -". 13 April 2018. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
40. "El Ministerio del Interior de Uruguay adquiere 500 fusiles de asalto AK-103 para su Guardia Nacional".
41. "The Yemeni-Made AK-103 -The Firearm Blog". 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
42. "Syrie: comment al-Qaïda reprend pied en zone djihadiste". France Soir (in French). 28 June 2018. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
43. Savannah de Tessières (January 2018). At the Crossroads of Sahelian Conflicts: Insecurity, Terrorism, and Arms Trafficking in Niger (PDF) (Report). Small Arms Survey. p. 24. ISBN   978-2-940548-48-4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.

External links

• Modern Firearms - AK-103
• Kalashnikov.guns.ru
• Izhmash page on the AK-103