Russia’s Kalashnikov Revives 1970s Prototype as AM-17 Rifle to Replace Aging AKS-74U

Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern has manufactured the first pilot batch of its new AM-17 compact rifles, intended to replace the aging AKS-74U carbines still in service with Russian security forces and the military.

The announcement was made by the manufacturer on September 1 through its official Telegram channel.

According to Kalashnikov, the AM-17 has completed both state and military trials, including operational testing in combat conditions, after which the design was refined.

The model is now entering limited production, with deliveries reportedly made to an unnamed Russian client. Defense analysts cited by Russian media suggest the recipient could be the Russian Armed Forces.

The AM-17 is chambered for the 5.45×39 mm cartridge, compatible with standard Russian service ammunition.

It weighs approximately 2.5 kilograms and measures under 50 centimeters when folded, extending to 75 centimeters in combat configuration. The rifle features a 30-round magazine, a short-stroke gas piston system, and a cyclic rate of fire of around 850 rounds per minute.

Kalashnikov highlights several improvements over the AKS-74U, including the use of polymer components to reduce overall weight, a telescopic folding stock, and a fully ambidextrous fire selector. The design incorporates a Picatinny rail system for mounting optics, tactical lights, and other accessories.

The AM-17 traces its origins to the late 1970s Dragunov MA prototype, a compact assault rifle design that lost out to the AKS-74U in Soviet trials due to reliability concerns. Despite its historical shortcomings, the updated AM-17 has been modernized with new materials and ergonomics.

Kalashnikov first announced plans for serial production in October 2024. While the AM-17 is formally positioned as a replacement for the AKS-74U, experts caution that widespread adoption may take time.

Earlier, Ukraine moved away from Soviet-era Kalashnikovs, adopting the domestically produced UAR-15—a NATO-standard AR-15-style rifle that soldiers describe as lighter, more accurate, and better suited for modern combat.

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