AK-100 (rifle family)
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The AK-100 family is a series of Kalashnikov rifles, based upon the AK-74M, intended for export sales.[1] The family of rifles offers the AK-74M system, in multiple cartridges and lengths.[2]
AK-100 series
[edit]
The original AK-100 series rifles were officially offered for export since March 1993[3] and are categorized by all having black polymer handguards, folding polymer stocks, and use of AK-74M internal systems. Parts are highly interchangeable.[4]
| 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 |
| 9×39mm | AK-9 |
Even with those differences all of the rifles are made to similar specifications.[4]
- Both long rifles had a barrel length of 415 mm, and all the carbines had a barrel length of 314 mm.[4]
- Both long rifles (unloaded) weighted 3.6 kg, and all the carbines: 3.2 kg.[4]
- All the rifles had a selector for with: safe, semi auto, or full auto. Also, both long rifles also had a variant with 3 round burst called AK-10X-3 and a semi auto only variant called AK-10X-1[5]
Rifles in the 100 series have been exported to and/or adopted by a variety of countries, notably: Armenia, Cyprus, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Syria, Uruguay, and Venezuela.[6]
The AK-105 has also seen some domestic use, filling a niche role as a middle ground between the AK-74M and AKS-74U.[7][8][9]
Related development
[edit]Later Kalashnikov started offering the AK-107 / AK-108 (in order 5.45×39, 5.56×45) models. 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).
AK-100M/200 series
[edit]The AK-100M/AK-200 rifle family was initially conceived around 2009 as an improved variant of the basic AK-100 series. The development of the AK-100M/AK-200 family was stopped around 2011 but resumed around 2016. In 2017, Kalashnikov unveiled the modernized versions of the AK-100 family of rifles. 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.[10]


As of 2018, the AK-200 series rifles are offered for export sales and for domestic law enforcement users in Russia.[11][12][13][14] 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.[15] They feed from 30-round magazines, and are compatible with drum magazines from the RPK and RPK-74.[16]
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.[17][18] However, no contract had been signed then or rifles produced because of pricing disagreements.[19][20] India signed a contract in August 2021 to directly import 70,000 AK-203 rifles from Russia.[21][22] Russia and India on December 6, 2021, finally signed a contract on the delivery of over 600,000 7.62mm AK-203 assault rifles that will be produced on India's soil to the republic's Defense Ministry.[23]
Users
[edit]
Algeria: AK-103: Used by the Parachute Commando Regiments[24]
Armenia: AK-103: The licensed production of the AK-103 started in July 2020.[25] AK-105[26]
Azerbaijan: AK-105: Used by the State Border Service.[27]
Ethiopia: AK-103: The Gafat Armament Engineering Complex produces the AK-103 rifle in Ethiopia. Supplements the AKM and AK-47 in the Ethiopian Armed Forces. It was reported in 2014 that the deal didn't go through at all.[28]
Fiji: AK-101[29]
India: AK-103: Used by the MARCOS of the Indian Navy and 70k were ordered by the Indian Air Force.[30]
Indonesia: AK-101: Indonesian Marine Corps[31] and the Mobile Brigade Corps.[32] AK-102: 5,000 AK-101 and AK-102s used by government for Operation Madago Raya.[33]
Iran: AK-103: 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 was reported.[34] The IRGC is reported to be using the AK-103.[35]
Kazakhstan: AK-105: The Kazakh military use the AK-105 as a standard-issue carbine rifle.[36]
Kenya: AK-101[37]
Libya: AK-103: Seen in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists in numerous photos. The rifles in use are the AK-103-2 version.[38]
Malaysia: AK-102: Limited use by the Royal Malaysian Navy's PASKAL.[27]
Maldives: AK-103: Used by Maldives National Defence Force[39]
Namibia: AK-103: Used by Namibian Marine Corps[40] AK-105: Used by Namibian Marine Corps[41]
North Korea: AK-105: Produced locally as an unlicensed copy, the Type 88 carbine, used by Special Operations Forces and armored crews.[42]
Pakistan: AK-103: Unlicensed Clone "PK-21" in production by Pakistan Ordnance Factories.[43]
Palestine: AK-103: Used by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.[44]
Russia: AK-103: 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.[27] AK-104: Used by the Russian Federal Protective Service.[45] AK-105: In service with the Russian Army,[46] and limited use within the Ministry of Internal Affairs[47] and other law enforcement,[48] including Alpha Group of the Federal Security Service (FSB).[49]
Saudi Arabia: AK-103:[50] A license to produce AK-103 rifles was granted to Saudi Arabia in 2017.[51][52][53]
Syria: AK-103: Captured from rebels. Used by the Syrian Arab Army.[54] AK-104: A batch of AK-104's have reportedly been delivered to Syria's Interior Ministry Anti-Terrorism Syrian Special Mission Forces in the Eastern Ghouta front in Rif Dimashq.[55] AK-105: Used by some Syrian special forces.[56]
Thailand: AK-102: Used by Volunteer Defense Corps[57] AK-104: Directorate of Logistics procured from Russian Federation.[58]
Uruguay: AK-101[59] AK-103: 500 AK-103s for the Uruguayan National Guard.[59]
Venezuela: AK-103: First 30,000 AK-103 rifles were received in June 2006.[60] Made under license by CAVIM.[61] CAVIM's AK-103 factories opened officially in 2012 without the necessary manufacturing equipment.[62] CAVIM-made AK-103s were delivered to the Venezuelan Army in 2013.[63] 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 with manufacturing to start by 2019,[64] full-scale production of ammunition started in July 2025 with a capacity of 70 million rounds a year.[65][66] AK-104: Produced under license by CAVIM alongside the AK-103.[67]
Yemen: AK-103: AK-103s made in Yemen as reported in February 2022.[68] AK-104: In service with some units of the Yemeni Army.[27]
Non-state actors
[edit]
Hezbollah: AK-103: AK-103s recovered by the IDF.[69]
Hurras al-Din: AK-103[70]
Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa: AK-103: Used an ex-Libyan AK-103-2 in Agadez and Arlit attacks in 2013.[71]
Conflicts
[edit]2000s
[edit]2010s
[edit]2020s
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "The AK-100 Rifle Family: Modern Russian Rifles".
- ↑ "AK-100 Series" (PDF). Small Arms Survey. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 8, 2014.
- ↑ Новые разработки знаменитого семейства АК с улучшенными боевыми и эксплуатационными характеристиками // газета "Красная Звезда" от 6 марта 1993 г.
- 1 2 3 4 "AK-100". Weaponsystems.net.
- ↑ "THE 100-SERIES KALASHNIKOVS: A PRIMER". Small Arms Review.
- ↑ "AK-100 series". Military Today.[dead link]
- ↑ Приказ Министерства внутренних дел РФ No. 651 от 9 июля 2002 г.
- ↑ Постановление Правительства РФ No. 776 от 2 октября 2009 г. "Об обеспечении боевым ручным стрелковым и иным оружием, патронами к нему, специальными средствами, оборудованием и снаряжением Федеральной службы судебных приставов"
- ↑ "Russian Special Forces Federal Security Services to get new Kalashnikov AK-400 assault rifles TASS 2605162". armyrecognition.com. 25 May 2016.
- ↑ "AK-103, AK-203, AK-15 and PPK-20: Differences". Kalashnikov Concern.
- ↑ "Rosoboronexport starts promoting new series of Kalashnikov assault rifles". Rostec State Corporationwebsite=thefirearmblog.com. 8 February 2019.
- ↑ "Russian National Guard Orders New AK-200 Series Rifles". thefirearmblog.com. 19 September 2018.
- ↑ "Russian National Guard modernizes firearm, vehicle and boat inventory". www.armyrecognition.com.
- ↑ "Russia Starts Promoting the New Kalashnikov AK200 Series". thefirearmblog.com. 26 February 2019.
- ↑ "Kalashnikov Concern Renames the 100M-Series of AK Rifles to 200-Series". thefirearmblog.com. 8 June 2018.
- ↑ "200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)". modernfirearms.net. 7 June 2018.
- ↑ "AK-203 Production Kicks-off in India". Rostec State Corporation. 4 March 2019.
- ↑ "Russian National Guard modernizes firearm, vehicle and boat inventory". www.armyrecognition.com. 15 March 2019.
- ↑ Pubby, Manu (6 February 2020). "Indo-Russian joint venture for Amethi rifles factory hits hurdle". The Economic Times.
- ↑ Pubby, Manu (4 June 2020). "Amethi AK-203 factory unlikely to start operations in 2020". The Economic Times.
- ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (2021-08-20). "India inks deal with Russia to immediately procure 70,000 latest AK rifles off the shelf". ThePrint. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
- ↑ "India to import 70,000 AK-203 assault rifles for army". Janes.com.
- ↑ "India and Russia agree on new deals to strengthen defence ties".
- ↑ "The World Defence Almanac". Military Technology Magazine. Vol. XXXIV. March 2010.
- ↑ "Armenian assault rifle factory begins production". Janes.com.
- ↑ "UNROCA (United Nations Register of Conventional Arms)". www.unroca.org. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 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 21 July 2019.
- ↑ "North Korea and Ethiopia, brothers in arms | NK News". 4 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
- ↑ "Rosyjska broń dla Fidżi" (in Polish). altair.pl. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
- ↑ "Indian Air Force to replace INSAS rifles with new AK-103 weapons, details here". Hindustan Times. 2021-08-29. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ↑ "Pasukan Brimobda Kalsel Gunakan Senjata Baru AK101 dan AK102" (in Indonesian). banjarmasin.tribunnews.com. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
- ↑ "Ak-2000P".
- ↑ Pyadushkin, Maxim; Haug, Maria; Matveeva, Anna (1 August 2003). "Beyond the Kalashnikov: Small Arms Production, Exports, and Stockpiles in the Russian Federation". Small Arms Survey. pp. 5–6. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ↑ "Exclusive: Iran Imports AK-103 Rifles from Russia". Tasnim News Agency. 2016-08-06. Archived from the original on 2016-08-07. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
- ↑ "Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Deploying AK-103 Rifles". Archived from the original on 2019-02-12. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
- ↑ "AK-105 The Versatile Carbine Assault Rifle". 2023-08-26. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ↑ "Rangers in Kenya are outgunned in the new poaching arms race".
- ↑ "Update II: AK-103 Exports to Libya". Security Scholar. 31 October 2011. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ "New military welfare company formed". 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ↑ "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. June 2016. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ↑ Defence Web (June 2016). "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ↑ "The Elite Small Arms Of North Korea". Archived from the original on 17 October 2023.
- ↑ "Pakistan Ordnance Factories Reveals New PK18 and PK21 Assault Rifles". Quwa. 2019-10-31. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
- ↑ "Research Report No. 5: A Tale of Two Rifles". Armament Research Services. 2 March 2016.
- ↑ Håland, Walter Christian (30 June 2017). "Russian Forces Assault Rifles Today". Small Arms Defense Journal. Vol. 9, no. 2. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ↑ "Russian Special Forces Federal Security Services to get new Kalashnikov AK-400 assault rifles TASS 2605162". armyrecognition.com. 25 May 2016.
- ↑ "Приказ Министерства внутренних дел РФ № 651 от 9 июля 2002 г." (in Russian).
- ↑ "Постановление Правительства РФ № 776 от 2 октября 2009 г. "Об обеспечении боевым ручным стрелковым и иным оружием, патронами к нему, специальными средствами, оборудованием и снаряжением Федеральной службы судебных приставов"" (in Russian).
- ↑ "Приказ Министерства внутренних дел РФ № 611 от 4 августа 2006 г. "Об утверждении перечней специальных средств, видов, типов и моделей огнестрельного и газового оружия, патронов и боеприпасов к нему, норм обеспечения ими работников военизированных и сторожевых подразделений ФГУП "Охрана" МВД России" (приложение № 2)" (in Russian).
- ↑ "How an AK-103 Works". allinallnews. November 3, 2015. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Moss, Matthew (2019-02-19). "Saudi Arabia to Receive First AK-103s Soon". Overt Defense. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
- ↑ "From Russia with Love, Syria's AK-74Ms". 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 2019-02-06. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
- ↑ "Спецназ МВД Сирии опробовал на передовой новые АК-104" [Special Forces Ministry of Internal Affairs of Syria tested on the front lines the new AK-104] (in Russian). 25 February 2016. Archived from the original on 28 February 2016.
- ↑ "Сирийский спецназ получил автоматы АК-105 в современном обвесе" [Syrian special forces received modern AK-105 assault rifles]. rg.ru (in Russian). 1 August 2018.
- ↑ "ด่วน ปืนอาก้า AK 102 หายจากคลังปืนนราธิวาส 28 กระบอก". ข่าวสด (in Thai). 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
- ↑ สิริกิติ์ - กองทัพบก [permanent dead link]
- 1 2 InfoDefensa, Revista Defensa. "El Ministerio del Interior de Uruguay adquiere 500 fusiles de asalto AK-103 para su Guardia Nacional". Infodefensa.
- ↑ полковник С. Сергеев. О реформе вооруженных сил Венесуэлы // "Зарубежное военное обозрение", № 8, 2006. стр.22-24
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Venezuelan AK-103 Factory Will Start Working in 2019 -". 12 December 2016. Archived from the original on 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
- ↑ "Venezuelan Kalashnikov Plant to Begin AK-103 Manufacture in 2019 -". 13 April 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
- ↑ "Russia has launched a factory for the production of cartridges for Kalashnikov assault rifles in Venezuela". LIGA. 2025-07-02. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ↑ "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 29 December 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ↑ "The Yemeni-Made AK-103 -The Firearm Blog". 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ↑ Kraus, Yair; Kraus, Yair (8 May 2026). "Nazi-era guns and Iranian weapons: captured Hezbollah arsenal exposes rearmament push". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ 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 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
- ↑ "Kalashnikov AK 101 and AK 102". waronwestpapua.org. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Gunmen Kill 2 Farmers in Thailand's Deep South". Benar News. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
- ↑ "Rangers kill rebel suspect in firefight". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
- ↑ "Guns of Nusantara: The AK-101 and 102 in BRIMOB Service". conflictfreelance.rs. 6 September 2020. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ↑ Noir, War. "MW Exclusive: Ethiopia Using Weapons Supplied by Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan". www.militantwire.com. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
External links
[edit]- 5.45×39mm assault rifles
- 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles
- 7.62×39mm assault rifles
- Assault rifles of Russia
- Carbines
- Kalashnikov Concern products
- Kalashnikov derivatives
- Military equipment introduced in the 1990s
- Military equipment introduced in the 2000s
- Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1993
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