AK-103

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Russian assault rifle

title: "AK-103" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["7.62×39mm-assault-rifles", "kalashnikov-derivatives", "assault-rifles-of-russia", "kalashnikov-concern-products", "weapons-and-ammunition-introduced-in-1993"] description: "Russian assault rifle" topic_path: "geography/russia" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-103" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Russian assault rifle ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]

FieldValue
nameAK-103
imageAk103_m.jpg
typeAssault rifle
service
wars{{Plain list
* Tigray War{{cite weblast1
designerMikhail Kalashnikov
number250,000+
length943 mm stock extended / 705 mm stock folded
actionGas operated, rotating bolt
image_size300
originRussia
is_rangedYes
used_by
design_date1993
manufacturerKalashnikov Concern
unit_costGov. price US$150–160 per unit in 2014
production_date1994–present
variantsAK-104
weight
4.1 kg (8.2 lb) with loaded magazine
part_length415 mm
cartridge
caliber7.62mm
rate600 rounds/min
velocity715 m/s
range350 m at point-blank range
500 m (550 yd)
feed30-round detachable box magazine
sightsIron sights, with a dove tail side rail for mounting optical and night sights
::

| name = AK-103 | image = Ak103_m.jpg | type = Assault rifle | service = 2001–present | wars = {{Plain list|

The AK-103 is an assault rifle designed by Russian small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov.

History

The AK-103 was officially offered for export on March 13, 1993.

Design details

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/A103a1.jpg" caption="AK-100 (rifle family)}}"] ::

It is an AK-100 derivative of the AK-74M that is chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge, similar to the AKM.

The AK-103 can be fitted with a variety of sights, including night vision and telescopic sights, plus a knife-bayonet or a grenade launcher like the GP-34. Newer versions can fit Picatinny rails, allowing more accessories to be mounted.

The AK-103 uses plastic components where possible instead of wood or metal, with such components being the pistol grip, handguards, folding stock and depending on the type, the magazine.

Protective coatings for corrosion resistance of metal parts. Forearm, magazine, butt stock and pistol grip are made of high strength shatterproof plastic.

The AK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103 chambered for 7.62×39mm ammunition. It has a muzzle brake derived from the older AKS-74U combined with a shorter barrel.

Magazines

The current issue steel-reinforced matte true black nonreflective surface finished 7.62×39mm 30-round magazines, fabricated from ABS plastic weigh 0.25 kg empty. Early steel AK-47 magazines are 9.75 in long, and the later ribbed steel AKM and newer plastic 7.62×39mm magazines are about 1 in shorter.

The transition from steel to mainly plastic magazines yielded a significant weight reduction and allow a soldier to carry more rounds for the same weight.

::data[format=table]

RifleCartridgeCartridge weightWeight of empty magazineWeight of loaded magazineMax. 10.12 kg ammunition load*
AK-47 (1949)7.62×39mm16.3 g (252 gr)Slab-sided steel
430 g30-rounds
916 g11 magazines for 330 rounds
10.08 kg
AKM (1959)7.62×39mm16.3 g (252 gr)Ribbed stamped-steel
330 g30-rounds
819 g12 magazines for 360 rounds
9.83 kg
AK-103/AK-104 (1993)7.62×39mm16.3 g (252 gr)Steel-reinforced plastic
250 g30-rounds
739 g13 magazines for 390 rounds
9.61 kg
::

Note: All, 7.62×39mm AK magazines are backwards compatible with older AK variants. Note *: 10.12 kg (22.3 lb) is the maximum amount of ammo that the average soldier can comfortably carry. It also allows for best comparison of the three most common 7.62×39mm AK platform magazines.

Variants

The semi-automatic only variant of the AK-103 is designated the AK-103-1, and the three round burst is designated the AK-103-2.

STL-1A

Main article: STL-1A

The STL-1A (or also called the STL-A1)

CS/LR11

The CS/LR11 is a clone of the AK-103 made by China Jing An Import & Export Corporation (CJAIE).

SDM AK-103

Chinese clone of the AK-103 marketed by Sino Defense Manufacturing.

KR-103

The KR-103 is a semi-automatic clone of the AK-103 made by Kalashnikov USA.

PSA AK-103

The PSA AK-103 is a semi-automatic partial clone of the AK-103 made by Palmetto State Armory. It shares many features of the AK-103, except that it uses an AKM style bolt and bolt carrier.

Users

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/AK_103_Users_updated.png" caption="A map with AK-103 users in red]]"] ::

  • Algeria: Used by the Parachute Commando Regiments
  • Armenia: The licensed production of the AK-103 started in July 2020.
  • Ethiopia: 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.
  • Iran: 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. The IRGC is reported to be using the AK-103.
  • India: Used by MARCOS of Indian Navy. 70,000 units inducted by the Indian Air Force (also Garud Commando).
  • Libya: Seen in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists in numerous photos. The rifles in use are the AK-103-2 version.
  • Maldives: Used by Maldives National Defence Force
  • Namibia: Used by Namibian Marine Corps
  • Pakistan: Unlicensed Clone "PK-21" in production by Pakistan Ordnance Factories.
  • Palestine: Used by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
  • Russia: 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.
  • Saudi Arabia: A license to produce AK-103 rifles was granted to Saudi Arabia in 2017.
  • Syria: Captured from rebels. Used by the Syrian Arab Army.
  • Venezuela: First 30,000 AK-103 rifles were received in June 2006. Made under license by CAVIM. CAVIM's AK-103 factories opened officially in 2012 without the necessary manufacturing equipment. CAVIM-made AK-103s were delivered to the Venezuelan Army in 2013. 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, full-scale production of ammunition started in July 2025 with a capacity of 70 million rounds a year.
  • Uruguay: 500 AK-103s for the Uruguayan National Guard.
  • Yemen: AK-103s made in Yemen as reported in February 2022.

Non-state actors

Gallery

File:A Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) service member fires a rifle during an annual rifle qualification on the island of Girifushi, Maldives, Jan. 15, 2014 140115-M-BO337-022.jpg|Maldives National Defense Force soldier with an AK-103 File:U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Richard Johnson, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, teaches speed reloading techniques to Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) support service members before their annual 140116-M-BO337-016.jpg|U.S. Marine teaching a reloading technique with the AK-103 to Maldives National Defense Force members

References

References

  1. "Presentation of the unique Kalashnikov small arms collection in the Moscow Kremlin Museum".
  2. "MW Exclusive: Ethiopia Using Weapons Supplied by Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan".
  3. "AK-103". Kalashnikov Concern.
  4. Новые разработки знаменитого семейства АК с улучшенными боевыми и эксплуатационными характеристиками // газета "[[Krasnaya Zvezda. Красная Звезда]]" от 6 марта 1993 г.
  5. "7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifles AK103, АК104".
  6. "Официальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ"".
  7. [https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA046961.pdf Rifle Evaluation Study] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-12-01 , United States Army, Combat Development Command, ADA046961, 20 Dec 1962)
  8. "Are kalashnikov magazines as robust as their reputation? He tormented a selection of AR magazines last year, now he takes on the AK. The results you may find surprising.".
  9. Dockery, Kevin. (2007). "Future Weapons". Penguin.
  10. (2010-09-30). "Ak 47 Technical Description - Manual". Scribd.com.
  11. Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102.
  12. (7 November 2017). "Việt Nam tự sản xuất mẫu "súng trường AK-103"".
  13. "7.62 mm Automatic Rifle Type CS/LR11_Rifle_Weapon_Products_Jing An".
  14. (2022-02-04). "Yemeni Buyer's Guide: How to Distinguish between Russian and Chinese AK-103 -The Firearm Blog".
  15. (14 July 2016). "SDM AKS-74 and AKS-103: a tale of two AKs".
  16. "Explore Kalashnikov USA KR-103 RIFLE".
  17. https://inside.safariland.com/blog/palmetto-state-armory-ak-103-a-reliable-american-ak/
  18. (March 2010). "The World Defence Almanac".
  19. "Armenian assault rifle factory begins production".
  20. (4 September 2014). "North Korea and Ethiopia, brothers in arms | NK News".
  21. (2016-08-06). "Exclusive: Iran Imports AK-103 Rifles from Russia". [[Tasnim News Agency]].
  22. "Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Deploying AK-103 Rifles".
  23. (2021-08-29). "Indian Air Force to replace INSAS rifles with new AK-103 weapons, details here".
  24. Dubey, Ajit K. (2021-08-28). "IAF signs emergency deal for 70,000 AK-103 assault rifles with Russia".
  25. (31 October 2011). "Update II: AK-103 Exports to Libya". Security Scholar.
  26. (2018-10-17). "New military welfare company formed".
  27. (June 2016). "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb.
  28. (2019-10-31). "Pakistan Ordnance Factories Reveals New PK18 and PK21 Assault Rifles".
  29. (2 March 2016). "Research Report No. 5: A Tale of Two Rifles". [[Armament Research Services]].
  30. Jenzen-Jones, N.R.. (September 2012). "The 100-Series Kalashnikovs: A Primer".
  31. (November 3, 2015). "How an AK-103 Works". allinallnews.
  32. (10 October 2017). "Saudi Arabia to Start Licensed Manufacturing of AK-103 Rifles".
  33. "РФ и Саудовская Аравия подписали меморандум о покупке и локализации продукции ВПК". TASS.
  34. Moss, Matthew. (2019-02-19). "Saudi Arabia to Receive First AK-103s Soon".
  35. (19 February 2015). "From Russia with Love, Syria's AK-74Ms".
  36. полковник С. Сергеев. О реформе вооруженных сил Венесуэлы // "Зарубежное военное обозрение", № 8, 2006. стр.22-24
  37. (10 June 2006). "Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business". Oxford University Press.
  38. Christopher Looft. (19 July 2012). "Venezuela Set to Mass Produce Kalashnikovs, Sniper Rifles".
  39. (3 June 2013). "Cavim inicia entrega de fusiles de asalto Kalashnikov AK-103 a la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela". Infodefensa.com.
  40. (12 December 2016). "Venezuelan AK-103 Factory Will Start Working in 2019 -".
  41. (13 April 2018). "Venezuelan Kalashnikov Plant to Begin AK-103 Manufacture in 2019 -".
  42. (2025-07-02). "Russia has launched a factory for the production of cartridges for Kalashnikov assault rifles in Venezuela".
  43. "El Ministerio del Interior de Uruguay adquiere 500 fusiles de asalto AK-103 para su Guardia Nacional".
  44. (3 February 2022). "The Yemeni-Made AK-103 -The Firearm Blog".
  45. (28 June 2018). "Syrie: comment al-Qaïda reprend pied en zone djihadiste".
  46. Savannah de Tessières. (January 2018). "At the Crossroads of Sahelian Conflicts: Insecurity, Terrorism, and Arms Trafficking in Niger". [[Small Arms Survey]].

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

7.62×39mm-assault-rifleskalashnikov-derivativesassault-rifles-of-russiakalashnikov-concern-productsweapons-and-ammunition-introduced-in-1993