Russia prioritizes deliveries of AK-12 assault rifles to airborne troops.

Russian Airborne Troops (Vozdushno-Desantniye Voyska, VDV) will be the first military service to receive the newest Kalashnikov AK-12 5.45 mm assault rifles, a source from the country`s defense industry told TASS. "The VDV units are receiving the AK-12 on a priority basis. This firearm will replace the Kalashnikov AKS-74 and AK-74M 5.45 mm assault rifles being operated by the Airborne Troops," said the source.

Kalashnikov AK-12 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

According to him, the issuance of the AK-12 to the VDV will allow the military to gain operational experience and define tactical scenarios of the weapon`s use. "Considering these requirements, the decision to arm the Airborne Troops [with the AK-12] on a priority basis is logical. This experience will be widely used during the rearmament of other military services with the new weapon," said the source, adding that the VDV would operate the new firearm with a large kit of additional accessories, including red dot sights and GP-34 40 mm under-barrel grenade launchers.

The AK-12 5.45 mm assault rifle has been developed by Russia`s Kalashnikov Group,  a subsidiary of the state corporation Rostec. The weapon is designed to replace aging variants of the Kalashnikov AK-74 5.45 mm assault rifle.