Ukraine in talks to buy 5.56mm assault rifles

[Zarvan]

Ukrainian Armed Forces are in advanced talks with an unnamed European defense contractor about a possible purchase of a batch of 5.56mm caliber assault rifles, according to a source in the Czech defense industry.

Ukrainian Army reportedly looks to buy modern assault rifles chambered for NATO 5.56x45mm ammunition with the possibility of further licensed production in Ukraine along with a line for the production of ammunition.

The possible deal, which covers a batch of 5.56x45mm caliber weapons (rifles on AR-15 platform), has an estimated value of $2 million.


The assault rifle will weigh 3.26kg and integrates a removable carrying handle and rail mounting for installing optical sights and other auxiliary devices according to customer needs.

The modular design makes it easy to replace various components: butt, handguard, pistol grip and other attachments, thus adjusting the rifle for ease of use.

It was expected that the NATO standard rifle will completely replace the Kalashnikov AK family of rifles that currently in service of the Ukrainian Army.

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Executive Editor

Ukraine in talks to buy 5.56mm assault rifles (defence-blog.com)

 

[Amaa'n]

Ukrainian Armed Forces are in advanced talks with an unnamed European defense contractor about a possible purchase of a batch of 5.56mm caliber assault rifles, according to a source in the Czech defense industry.

Ukrainian Army reportedly looks to buy modern assault rifles chambered for NATO 5.56x45mm ammunition with the possibility of further licensed production in Ukraine along with a line for the production of ammunition.

The possible deal, which covers a batch of 5.56x45mm caliber weapons (rifles on AR-15 platform), has an estimated value of $2 million.


The assault rifle will weigh 3.26kg and integrates a removable carrying handle and rail mounting for installing optical sights and other auxiliary devices according to customer needs.

The modular design makes it easy to replace various components: butt, handguard, pistol grip and other attachments, thus adjusting the rifle for ease of use.

It was expected that the NATO standard rifle will completely replace the Kalashnikov AK family of rifles that currently in service of the Ukrainian Army.

If you wish to report grammatical or factual errors within our news articles, you can let us know by using the online feedback form.

If you would like to show your support for what we are doing, here's where to do it: patreon.com/defenceblog

Executive Editor

Ukraine in talks to buy 5.56mm assault rifles (defence-blog.com)

Ukrainian AR rifles are doing rounds in our local market, being sold at same price as US counterparts while Ukraine itself is importing the AR rifles

 

[Trailer23]

...while Ukraine itself is importing the AR rifles

They're hoping that by having close relations with the US, they might get the nod to get their foot in the door of the EU.

Chances are slim to none, but they'll give it a shot.

Next thing you know, they'll be placing an order for US-made Fighter Jets just to get a rise out of Russia.

 

[That Guy]

Ukrainian AR rifles are doing rounds in our local market, being sold at same price as US counterparts while Ukraine itself is importing the AR rifles

Commercial rifles aren't exactly the same as military rifles.

 

[Michael Corleone]

Commercial rifles aren't exactly the same as military rifles.

What are the differences?

 

[That Guy]

What are the differences?

Materials for one thing. Military rifles tend to use material that make mil-rifles last longer, and work in harsher conditions. Another is that certain attachments are removed from civilian rifles, but not military. There is also a major difference in barrels, an example is that you can't use the military 556 bullet in a civilian AR-15 rifle, due to the danger of the rifle basically shattering/blow up, however the civilian counterpart 223 bullet can be safely used in a military M-16 rifle.

It's been a long time since I researched the topic, so if anyone reading this wants to correct me, feel free.

On a side note, 6.8 seems to be the future for NATO and western allied countries. I'm surprised by Ukraine's decision to abandon the 7.62. 5.56 is not an effective counter to Russian body armor, which is why the US is looking at a larger calibre in the first place.

 

[Michael Corleone]

On a side note, 6.8 seems to be the future for NATO and western allied countries. I'm surprised by Ukraine's decision to abandon the 7.62. 5.56 is not an effective counter to Russian body armor, which is why the US is looking at a larger calibre in the first place

It will fizzle out just like their tank upgrades. Half their reserves are stored in open air valleys surrounded by walls. Rusting away
Same with the airforce, pouring money and struggling to keep the current fleet active while also having a mig 29 based fighter in development.

 

[CodeforFood]

Materials for one thing. Military rifles tend to use material that make mil-rifles last longer, and work in harsher conditions. Another is that certain attachments are removed from civilian rifles, but not military. There is also a major difference in barrels, an example is that you can't use the military 556 bullet in a civilian AR-15 rifle, due to the danger of the rifle basically shattering/blow up, however the civilian counterpart 223 bullet can be safely used in a military M-16 rifle.

It's been a long time since I researched the topic, so if anyone reading this wants to correct me, feel free.

On a side note, 6.8 seems to be the future for NATO and western allied countries. I'm surprised by Ukraine's decision to abandon the 7.62. 5.56 is not an effective counter to Russian body armor, which is why the US is looking at a larger calibre in the first place.

Thats not true. most of the commercial ar15 rifles also offer mil spec option with the difference that they are not auto.

 

[fallstuff]

Switching from 7.62 ?

 

[That Guy]

Thats not true. most of the commercial ar15 rifles also offer mil spec option with the difference that they are not auto.

Commercial ARs are not made to handle 556, but rather 223, if I'm wrong, please give me a link.

Switching from 7.62 ?

They already use 7.62x39 Russian rounds. They want to use something smaller, thus their 5.56x45 NATO purchase.

 

[Metal 0-1]

Switching from 7.62 ?

Commercial ARs are not made to handle 556, but rather 223, if I'm wrong, please give me a link.

They already use 7.62x39 Russian rounds. They want to use something smaller, thus their 5.56x45 NATO purchase.

They already use 5.45x39 which is Russian version of NATO 5.56.

Reasonable if Ukrainians buy 5.56 AR-15s

Russia is also abandoning 7.62 round.

 

[fallstuff]

They already use 5.45x39 which is Russian version of NATO 5.56.

Reasonable if Ukrainians buy 5.56 AR-15s

Russia is also abandoning 7.62 round.

No !!!
How can you have an AK without the 7.62 round ?

 

[Metal 0-1]

No !!!
How can you have an AK without the 7.62 round ?

Yes you can.

In 1974 Soviet Union developed a rifle which uses intermediate cartridge which is light, travel faster and more penetration. Cartridge was 5.45x39 and the rifle was named AK-74.

AK-74 is now the service rifle of whole Russian military. The last 7.62 AK developed by Kalashnikov Group was AK-103.

Now every other AK in Russia is 5.45x39 but they still use 7.62x39 rifles in limited number.

Go search Google.

 

[That Guy]

They already use 5.45x39 which is Russian version of NATO 5.56.

Reasonable if Ukrainians buy 5.56 AR-15s

Russia is also abandoning 7.62 round.

From what I've read, the 5.45 has a lot of issues with stopping power, and is typically considered inferior to the NATO 5.56.

Personally I'd choice above a 6.0 and below a 7.0 round. It seems to be where the future is going. I know the Chinese have been experimenting with a 6.2 round as a replacement to their 5.8 round, and the US set to replace the 5.56 with a 6.8 round in the near future. Above 7 seems to be too heavy a round, and below 6 seems to not have enough stopping power.

 

[CodeforFood]

Commercial ARs are not made to handle 556, but rather 223, if I'm wrong, please give me a link.

They already use 7.62x39 Russian rounds. They want to use something smaller, thus their 5.56x45 NATO purchase.

Sir,
no link needed go to the sites of bcm, Daniel defense, Geiselle, I have an ar which is mil spec in 5.56.