Photo: Kalashnikov Concern
The largest Russian small arms manufacturer and one of the most globally recognized brands – Kalashnikov – is not limited to the famous assault rifles. Currently, Kalashnikov Group includes precision weapon, military special vehicle, UAV, military and commercial motor boat, machine and medical equipment manufacturers and many others. The most recent developments clearly demonstrating the diversity of products made by the modern Kalashnikov are described below.
SV-21 rifle
A manually reloaded precision rifle is designed to enable quick and easy rebarreling upon expiry of barrel life. The rifle is supplied with changeable barrels for 7.62x54R and .308WIN cartridges, 10-cartridge common magazine from the readily available and time-proven iconic Dragunov sniper rifle (“Tiger”).
The rifle is based on a “carrier return spring housing” with a free-floating barrel and tubular forearm, moreover, the bolt is locked with the barrel nut. Rebarreling and locking head replacement are carried out manually within about 10 minutes. Rifle weight without cartridges and with a 650mm barrel is 5.2kg. SV-21 is designed for civil market, but may be also modified for combat use in future. Kalashnikov’s new weapon has been presented at the Army 2022.
IZH H600 hybrid machining center
Machine tool engineering is a strategically important sector of Russian industry, however, our country has been in dependence on imports over the last years. In these conditions, Kalashnikov expands the output of high precision machines which will be capable of substituting the foreign products withdrawn from the Russian market. In particular, a new IZH H600 hybrid machining center has been commissioned recently under the sponsorship of the Industrial Development Fund.
It combines laser cladding functions and 5-axis milling to ensure the manufacture of complex products up to 300kg in weight with dimensions 600х500х500mm. In addition to parts manufacture, IZH H600 may be used for application of protective coatings by welding. The new multifunctional machine enables the finished product output time to be reduced without using additional tools and dedicated jigging.
Khaska-10 air-cushion craft
Khaska-10 is being developed by Rybinsk yard. The new vehicle proceeded to the test stage in September 2022. This is a sidewall craft where the air cushion is limited by special flexible sidewalls to reduce air flow rate. The craft is created within the national offshore field development program. Khaska-10 will be able to be used for transportation purposes in the Arctic shallows and Far North hard-to-reach areas.
Number 10 in its name means that Khaska is capable of carrying up to 10 tons of cargo. Such capacity and dimensions enable the craft to accommodate, for example a three-axle Kamaz on board. Two 1500 hp engines can attain a speed up to 40 knots (74 km/h). The craft is operated by a three-man crew and is capable of operating in standalone mode.
Kalashnikov RDS-CC collimator
This collimator has been developed with the participation of Kalashnikov’s personnel and is manufactured by Vologda Optical and Mechanical Plant. The collimator makes weapon targeting twice or thrice as fast due to backsight and foresight substitution with a moving dot which is to be aligned with the target. Aiming accuracy is also improved in this case.
Kalashnikov RDS-CC can be used in a regular and infrared band with ten crosshair brightness adjustment stages depending on lighting. The collimator is energized by standard batteries which can generally last for 10,000 hours in normal operating conditions. All-metal collimator housing protects the mechanisms against dust and moisture ingress as well as against impacts. The new Kalashnikov’s collimator is attached to standard Picatinny and Weaver rails.
Diana spike strip
A rather dangerous product developed by CNIITM based near Moscow is hiding under this feminine name. This device is designed to stop the movement of any types of wheeled vehicles and is used by law enforcement agencies.
Diana needs just a few seconds to be deployed. In future, an even faster “fired” version is to be designed and will be capable of being actuated without leaving the special vehicle. The key difference between Diana and other similar systems is that, when a vehicle is driven over the strip, a part of the structure becomes embedded in the tires and prevents further movement making an offender stop just after a distance of 100m to 150m.
