The army is interested in the SHAK-12 assault rifle complex
Shooting from an ASh-12 assault rifle with a “tactical” silencer and a collimator sight
As part of the current Special Operation to protect Donbass, the Russian army and security forces are testing various new types of weapons. Thus, several months ago it became known that some units are armed with the SHAK-12 assault rifle complex and use it in battles. Now it is reported about a possible expansion of the range of operators of this weapons – it will have to increase the firepower of a number of units of the armed forces.
Automatic in service
Let us recall that the SHAK-12 assault rifle complex based on the ASh-12 assault rifle was created at the end of the 2011s in the Tula TsKIB SOO (a branch of the Instrument Design Bureau of the High-Precision Complexes holding company of the Rostec state corporation). In XNUMX, the complex entered service with special units of the Federal Security Service, which have special requirements for small arms.
A few years after it was adopted, the ASh-12 assault rifle began to be shown at open events and exhibitions. The product of unusual appearance attracted the attention of visitors, but failed to find new customers. As far as we know, it is currently only used by the FSB.
In mid-August 2023, it became known for the first time about the use of SHAK-12 complexes as part of the current Special Operation. RIA News with reference to representatives of the High-Precision Complexes holding, it was reported that special forces of law enforcement agencies are armed with and use 12,7-mm ASh-12 assault rifles and large-caliber VSK rifles. No comments were received from the units on these samples.
12,7x55 mm cartridges with different types of bullets
On October 25, the Izvestia publication, citing its sources in the Ministry of Defense, wrote about the possible adoption of the ShAK-12 into service with new units. It is reported that the department is working on the issue of increasing the fire capabilities of reconnaissance and assault brigades and STORM detachments. One solution to this issue could be the adoption and introduction of large-caliber ASh-12 assault rifles.
According to Izvestia, the Ministry of Defense has already purchased and sent an experimental batch of such weapons to the troops. For trial operation, they were transferred to units participating in the Special Operation. Based on the results of such events, a decision will be made on the wider introduction of automatic machines and systems.
The size of the batch for military use, the timing of current tests, etc., for obvious reasons, are not specified. However, given the intensity of ongoing hostilities, it can be assumed that all planned activities will not take much time. If a positive decision is made, units will begin to receive new weapons en masse over the next few months.
Technical potential
The SHAK-12 assault rifle complex was created according to the technical specifications of the FSB special forces, and specific requirements were imposed on it. First of all, the customer wanted to obtain increased firepower and the ability to quickly and reliably destroy manpower without protection or wearing body armor of the main classes. At the same time, there were restrictions on the dimensions and weight of the system, recoil force, etc.
Components of the SHAK-12 complex
Such problems were solved through an integrated approach. TsKIB SOO has developed not only a new machine gun, but also a family of ammunition for it. Based on one of the existing cartridges, they created a line of 12,7x55 mm ammunition with different types of bullets. Light supersonic and heavy subsonic bullets, armor-piercing bullets, and a dual-bullet cartridge are available.
The ASH-12 assault rifle itself is built according to the “bullpup” design, thanks to which the weapon with a barrel length of approx. 400-450 mm has a total length of 675 mm (without muzzle devices). The weight of the product without cartridges and sight is 5,2 kg. To improve ergonomics, a carrying handle and standard accessory rails are provided.
The ASh-12 automatic system operates due to the recoil of the barrel with its short stroke. Locking is done by turning the bolt. The technical rate of fire reaches 750 rounds/min. Fire control is carried out by a traditional trigger, as well as separate safety and fire switch flags located on both sides of the weapon. Ammunition is supplied from detachable magazines for 10 and 20 rounds.
To solve different problems, the ASh-12 can be equipped with several muzzle devices. The complex includes a two-chamber muzzle brake, as well as two options for silencers. The smaller one, designated "tactical", is used with any cartridge and provides reduced flash and shot noise. The second device is larger in size and is used only with a subsonic cartridge, which allows for maximum noise reduction.
The machine is standardly equipped with an open sight with its elements mounted on a Picatinny rail. It is possible to dismantle them and install any other sighting equipment. This ensures increased accuracy, the ability to use in the dark, etc.
A characteristic feature of the ShAK-12 is the optimization of fire characteristics and reduction of the effective firing range to values characteristic of assault combat. So, for a two-bullet cartridge this parameter is only 100 m. Light and heavy bullets have an effective range of 200 m, armor-piercing - 300 m.
Theory and practice
The army's interest in the SHAK-12 assault rifle system, as reported in the domestic press, is quite understandable. This weapon was created on the instructions and with the participation of special forces who have extensive experience in conducting operations in specific conditions and with special requirements. The result is an unusual model, capable of solving a wide range of combat missions and optimized for a specific type of combat.
The Ministry of Defense is considering the ASh-12 as a future weapon for its assault units. In essence, it plans to use the positive experience of the FSB special forces, but adjusted for the specifics of its work. It is unclear exactly how the operation of an assault rifle system may differ between the special services and the army. However, it is quite clear that ShAK-12 may well show its best side and find a place in the armed forces.
With a specific appearance and technical appearance, the ShAK-12 complex has a special combination of capabilities and characteristics that correspond to its main tasks. This is a fairly compact and lightweight weapon, considering its caliber. At the same time, it is capable of hitting manpower wearing body armor, breaking through various barriers, etc. An interesting feature is the limited effective firing range. However, in the intended application scenarios, a range of more than 200-300 m is simply not required.
Weapons with such characteristics and capabilities are of interest from the point of view of fighting in urban environments, storming various buildings, etc. It allows you to quickly and reliably hit the enemy or his equipment, as well as complete the main combat mission.
However, for adoption and full use of the ShAK-12, several important issues will have to be resolved. First of all, these are the methods and logistics of joint operation of the new model and existing small arms as part of the fighters’ equipment. In particular, it is necessary to determine how many ASh-12s an assault unit needs, whether it needs to be supplemented with AK assault rifles, how to organize the supply of ammunition of different lines, etc.
If all such issues are successfully resolved, army units will be able to obtain and effectively use new weapons with improved fire characteristics. Thanks to this, their overall combat potential will increase, as well as the effectiveness of ongoing operations.
In the evaluation process
Thus, the Ministry of Defense continues to develop the weapons system of the ground forces and pays great attention to small arms. The possibility of adopting an assault rifle with specific capabilities and characteristics that was created long ago, but is not yet available in the army, is now being considered.
As is the case with other types of weapons, the decision to accept the ShAK-12 complex for service will be made based on the results of a full-scale testing program. At the same time, the army now has the opportunity to test weapons in real combat conditions with all their specifics, difficulties and limitations. Such tests will not only determine the need for a new model, but will also contribute to the speedy solution of the tasks of the current Special Operation.
Information