The Russian Defense Ministry has decided not to supply the Russian Army with the AK-74 assault rifle, stating the legendary weapon is outdated. The producer, Izhmash, declared a new version of the firearm is almost ready.

The AK-74 is one of a family of firearms designed by weapons engineer Mikhail Kalashnikov. The rifle and its variants have been standard issue for many Soviet and later Russian troops since 1974, the year which gave the weapon its name. However, after almost four decades in service of Russian Military, the assault rifle has become outdated. The Defense Ministry did not buy a single AK-74 in 2011 and has no plans to do so in the future until a newer model is developed by its manufacturer.

Russian army ends purchase of Kalashnikov rifles

The military say they have a plentiful stock of the firearms, with millions of pieces stored. Chief of the General Staff Nikolai Makarov told Russian media that the army already had too many of the weapons in its stores. Now, they want the Izmash plant to come up with a new personal weapon, which would be as reliable as the AK-74, but with a better range and accuracy. “We have some sample weapons at hand and hope that the military will like them. In the meantime, we will focus on the export and production of sporting firearms,” a spokesman for the AK-74 producer stated, adding that a successor to the famous assault rifle is due to be unveiled before 2011’s end.

Another option would be for Izhmash to produce upgrade kits for the AK-74. Its advanced version, the AK-74M, has an option for an optical sight, which greatly improves the weapon’s accuracy. However, neither the producer nor the Defense Ministry see this variant as the most desirable.

The man behind Kalashnikov Rifles

According to media reports, employees of Izhmash are doing their best to keep the latest news secret from founder and inventor of Kalashnikov Rifles Mikhail Kalashnikov. The legendary Russian designer is in his early 90s, but is still working at the facrory. His colleagues fear that news of the army’s rejection of his creation may harm the old man’s health.

He began his career as a weapons designer in 1941, while being treated in a hospital for wounds suffered during the Battle of Bryansk. While convalescing, he heard complaints from dozens of Soviet soldiers about a lack of proper firearms. After his recovery Kalashnikov got himself assigned to the arms design section of the Soviet Red Army’s ordnance directorate.  Mikhail Kalashnikov started work on a new rifle in 1945, and completed its first version by 1947. The weapon immediately drew attention for its reliability, ease of use and high stopping power. The Kalashnikov, instantly recognisable, renowned for its ruggedness and regarded by some as a design classic, is said to be the world’s most heavily produced rifle.

From Kalashnikov AK-47 to the AK-74 : The most used firearm in the world

Over the years there have been claims that the Kalashnikov’s original design featured elements of the German-built Sturmgewehr 44 rifle. However, the latter never developed into anything more than a top-secret prototype. Kalashnikov assault rifles, meanwhile, became the world’s most popular firearm, with production numbers (both legal and illegal) in the tens of millions. The claim, therefore, may very well be groundless.

Scores of modified versions based on the Kalashnikov platform were built in the years following the manufacturing of its initial model in 1947. It has gone through several versions, from the original AK-47 – the AK stands for “Kalashnikov automatic” – to the AKM and latterly, the AK-74. They are still used in more than 70 countries – including not only former allies of the Soviet Union, but also former enemies as well.

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