Kalashnikov AM-17 assault rifle to be upgraded for Russian pilots
According to the Russian defense minister, Su-35 and Su-57 pilots may be armed with the rifle but its weight and size need to be adjusted to the pilots' rucksacks
Eyal Boguslavsky
| 04/09/2020
The AM-17. Photo: Kalashnikov Group
According to the Army Recognition website, the Russian Defense Ministry requested the Kalashnikov Group to upgrade its AM-17 assault rifle used by Russian fighter pilots. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu inspected Kalashnikov firearms at the Army-2020 forum, which took place last week near Moscow, and the AM-17 drew his attention. He said Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-57 pilots may be armed with the rifle if it fits into their rucksacks. “It is necessary to change the weight and size,” the minister said. General Chief-of-Staff Valery Gerasimov said the rifle had yet to complete acceptance trials. Military pilots are currently armed with the Stechkin pistol.
First unveiled at the Russian Army Expo 2017 alongside the AMB-17, the AM-17 is an assault rifle that uses standard intermediate 5.45×39mm 7N10 cartridges. It was developed and manufactured by late 2010s by Kalashnikov, based on the Yevgeny Dragunov MA Compact Rifle. The weapon is intended for use as a close quarters weapon, primarily for military and law enforcement units of the Russian Interior Ministry, Russian National Guard, and Russian Army, to replace the AKS-74U.
According to the Russian defense minister, Su-35 and Su-57 pilots may be armed with the rifle but its weight and size need to be adjusted to the pilots' rucksacks
The AM-17. Photo: Kalashnikov Group
According to the Army Recognition website, the Russian Defense Ministry requested the Kalashnikov Group to upgrade its AM-17 assault rifle used by Russian fighter pilots. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu inspected Kalashnikov firearms at the Army-2020 forum, which took place last week near Moscow, and the AM-17 drew his attention. He said Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-57 pilots may be armed with the rifle if it fits into their rucksacks. “It is necessary to change the weight and size,” the minister said. General Chief-of-Staff Valery Gerasimov said the rifle had yet to complete acceptance trials. Military pilots are currently armed with the Stechkin pistol.
First unveiled at the Russian Army Expo 2017 alongside the AMB-17, the AM-17 is an assault rifle that uses standard intermediate 5.45×39mm 7N10 cartridges. It was developed and manufactured by late 2010s by Kalashnikov, based on the Yevgeny Dragunov MA Compact Rifle. The weapon is intended for use as a close quarters weapon, primarily for military and law enforcement units of the Russian Interior Ministry, Russian National Guard, and Russian Army, to replace the AKS-74U.
