The American magazine The National Interest drew attention to the contract between the Kalashnikov concern and the Russian Ministry of Defense for the supply of AK-12 assault rifles. The concern's statement about a twofold increase in AK-12 deliveries was considered "a cause for concern", as was the early fulfillment of deliveries under the contract, which is now completed.
The publication notes that the characteristics of the AK-12 include increased shooting accuracy, its grouping, and the "unique survivability" of the barrel. As with the AK-74 and AKM, automatic and single firing modes are retained, and there is also a three-round burst.
The AK-12, like previous designs of the concern, has a longitudinally sliding bolt with locking by rotation, and the basic principle of its operation is a long stroke of the gas piston.
The assault rifle can operate at any time of the day and in any weather. It complements the combat equipment of the "soldier of the future" called "Ratnik", which protects up to 90 percent of the soldier's body.
In addition, a folding or telescopic stock, a Picatinny rail, a 40-mm under-barrel grenade launcher, and a bayonet knife can be installed on it.
The publication notes that it is only known about the 2020 contract between Kalashnikov and the Ministry of Defense that it provided for the transfer of more than 40 thousand AK-12 assault rifles to the Russian military. And it is unclear how many were produced under the subsequent contract.