Ukraine To Replace Russian Origin Kalashnikov With American M16 Assault Rifle

[Zarvan]

SOPMOD M4 Carbine Accessory kit (Image: Ukroboronprom)
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Ukraine will manufacture a new assault rifle, WAC-47 based on the M16 as a result of the Memorandum of Cooperation between UOP SE “Ukroboronservis” and the American company, Aeroscraft.

The assault rifle is to become the new firearm standard of the Ukrainian forces compatible with NATO standards. "The country is facing a global strategic problem: departure from Soviet weapons systems, offers a variety of options to solve this problem effectively," the company said in a statement Friday.

The WAC-47 that will be produced in Ukraine is to replace several variants of the Russian origin AK-47 currently being used by the country's armed forces.

The Ukrainian considering manufacturing the M4 which is a shorter version of M16A2. The US Special Operations Command has defined this assault rifle as weapon for all US special operations.

The WAC-47 based on M16 has design modularity allowing mounting barrels of different length, depending on requirements: 10.5 “, 11.5”, 14.5 “, 18” or 24“.

This allows adjusting the weapon under the individual soldier’s tasks. For example, an infantry sniper can use a long 24-inch barrel, which ensures effective accurate fire at 600 meters, while the short 10.5-inch barrel better meets the requirements for individual compact automatic firearms.

“This project will enable transition of the Ukrainian Army and industry to NATO standards. "Our soldiers will be armed with Ukrainian weapons,“ UOP Deputy Director General for Aircraft Industry and Operations Volodymyr Korobov was quoted in the press release.


http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18..._With_American_M16_Assault_Rifle#.WJ6cfYF942w

 

[mansoor raja]

US is will earn money when there are wars ... US is getting more stronger by every single day . Hats of to these people crafting a super power for the century out of war torn country . No one will ever match US single handedly. Only Nation to defeat world's most powerful armies from Germany to Soviet Union . Even today US will easily out Numbers Russia.

 

[Penguin]

From Ukrainian Defense Industry’s press release:
WAC-47 can “work” with the caliber 7,62×39, 5,45×39 Ukrainian army is armed with. And if necessary, modular design allows to re-equip assault rifle under 5.56×45 NATO ammunition, which – according to STANAG 4172 standard – is used in all NATO assault rifles.
http://ukroboronprom.com.ua/en/media/m16-wac-47-dlya-ukrayinskoyi-armiyi-vid-dk-ukroboronprom.html

The Aeroscraft corporation, founded by an immigrant from Ukraine, has been in discussions with the Ukrainian State Enterprise “Ukroboronservice” (part of concern UkrObornProm) to produce M4 carbine variant WAC47 under licence in Ukraine. According to press-service of concern UkrObornProm, Aeroscraft with Ukroboronservice to produce the M4 variant WAC47. It’s an accurized M4 variation in 7.62x39mm that takes standard AK-47 magazines.

The standard version of M4 carbine is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle. The M4 is a 5.56×45mm NATO, air-cooled, direct impingement gas-operated, magazine-fed carbine. It has a 14.5 in (370 mm) barrel and a telescoping stock.

Because of the WAC47 rifle’s “modularity”, it can be chambered to use 5.45×39 and 7.62×39 munitions as well as 5.56x45 NATO munition.

http://dailysignal.com/2017/01/10/u...16-combat-rifles-hits-a-snag-over-ammunition/

Smart if you have a large store of AK-ammo and mags but want flexibility to switch to NATO ammo standards if need be, and/or have a more modern, good quality service rifle.

 

[Incog_nito]

It's essential for Ukraine to sell off all the weapons they have which are of Russian origin. They have a good option to buy Ex-EU and ex-US weapons which are available in extra quantity and the best thing is that they can pay NATO back slowly... as NATO is on Ukraine side.

 

[Penguin]

If you get a new rifle from a non-russian source and it can be rechambered, you get to use up your existing stock of ammo and mags then when that runs out, or when you need to work with other nation's troops which use a different caliber, you can switch as necessary.

See e.g. FN SCAR (SCAR-L, for "light", is chambered in the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge and SCAR-H, for "heavy", fires 7.62×51mm NATO)

This is no different.