Journalists criticized the new "Kalashnikov"
Russian media continue to criticize the AK-12 Kalashnikov assault rifle, which is the pride of the Izhevsk arms factory. AK-12 should change the outdated AK-74. Although the new model is legendary weapons as if it has an improved design, the machine does not pull on the declared “fifth generation”.The AK-12 design is equipped with a Picatinny rail, a special attachment device for additional equipment, but only those who have never seen American M-16, Israeli Negev, or products of German gunsmiths will be surprised. Many media outlets ask themselves whether such features as its versatility (using a machine, both left-handed and right-handed), one-handed control, “softening” returns, the presence of new stores with an increased number of cartridges, are enough to consider AK-12 automatic as the fifth generations.
The official presentation of the new "Kalashnikov" was held last Monday. According to Maxim Kuzyuk, General Director of Izhmash, the main goal of the developers was to create a simple and reliable machine with the same tasks and new requirements.
He is offended by Russian journalists, as over time, articles appear in the press that contain disrespectful statements addressed to AK-12. For example, the AK-12 submachine gun was called a bluff, with which Kuzuk does not agree, saying that "this is not a bluff, it is a real weapon."
The “bluff” new “Kalashnikov” in the media began to be called because of the newspaper “Izvestia”. An article appeared in it about the dissatisfaction of the Ministry of Defense with a new machine gun, which was entitled as “The draft of the new machine gun turned out to be a bluff.” After that, the press attributed this unflattering characteristic to the military department, which often criticizes military developers. But in fairness it should be noted that the representatives of the Ministry of Defense did not publicly pronounce the word “bluff” in relation to the machine gun.
Nevertheless, the press states that the AK-12 is a rather crude development, requiring serious factory and military tests. Photos AK-12, which appeared in the press, also indicate that there is nothing special in it that would call it a fifth-generation machine gun. The novelty of the weapon is still in doubt. At the small arms demonstration held in 2011, organized for members of the Military Industrial Commission under the Russian government and the leadership of the Ground Forces in Klimovsk, a new assault rifle was not presented at the Izhmash stand. Some journalists believe that his absence can hardly be explained by special secrecy, “it’s just, I suppose, there’s nothing to brag about.”
No wonder the Ministry of Defense did not report on the purchase of AK-12, only the Interior Ministry became interested in the new Kalashnikovs. In general, "Izhmash" can not count on the state order from the military department in relation to the AK, because they said that in the near future, the Ministry of Defense is not going to buy machine guns. They explained this by the fact that there are stocks of AK-74 in the warehouses, which are ten times higher than the needs of the Russian army.
Journalists also believe that the huge stocks of machine guns will slow down the process of modernization, since it requires the creation of a breakthrough, qualitatively new small arms. Whether such an AK-12 is a question. Talking about a fifth-generation machine is only a risky advertising move.
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