Editing AK-74 (section)

===AK-12===
{{Main|AK-12}}
In 2010, the '''AK-12''' series of proposed prototype models were unveiled. They differed in weight, introduced a new recoil compensation technology and improved ergonomics. The rear iron sight element was rail-mounted and moved to the back of the upper receiver to lengthen the sight line, and the full length of the weapon featured a Picatinny rail for mounting accessories such as aiming optics on top. The hand guard features Picatinny rails on both sides and its underside for mounting accessories like tactical lights, laser sights and grenade launchers. Throughout its development and evaluation stage the multiple modifications were applied to meet Russian military standards, as well as to improve upon the "range of defects" that were discovered on prototype models and to address concerns regarding the cost of earlier prototypes. In September 2016 the prototype models were replaced by the final production models of the AK-12 (chambered in 5.45×39mm) and AK-15 (chambered in 7.62×39mm) assault rifles.

Parallel developments are the RPK-16 light machine gun and the AM-17 compact assault rifle (both chambered in 5.45×39mm). The AK-12, [[AK-12#AK-15|AK-15]] and RPK-16 technically strongly resembles the AK-74M, AK-100 series and RPK-74M than the earlier prototypes and the arms manufacturer Kalashnikov concern hopes they will replace these Russian service guns.

In late 2016 it was reported the AK-12 production model was undergoing troop trials with the Russian Army, where it competes against the Degtyarov [[AEK-971|A-545]] balanced action assault rifle in [[Ratnik (program)|Ratnik program]] trials. The AK-12 completed its operational testing and passed military field tests in June 2017, paving the way to Russian Army adoption, potentially under the [[Ratnik (program)|Ratnik program]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tass.com/defense/952393 |title=Russia completes trials of newest assault rifle for 'soldier of the future' combat gear |date=20 June 2017 |website=TASS |access-date=6 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170706001215/http://tass.com/defense/952393 |archive-date=6 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/19772/Kalashnikov_AK_12_Assault_Rifle_Passes_Field_Trials |title=Kalashnikov AK-12 Assault Rifle Passes Field Trials |date=5 July 2017 |website=Defense World |access-date=6 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170706001458/http://www.defenseworld.net/news/19772/Kalashnikov_AK_12_Assault_Rifle_Passes_Field_Trials%23.WV2A-9LLfK4 |archive-date=6 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/72007/ |title=AK-12 assault rifle passes field tests |last=Wilk |first=Remigiusz |date=4 July 2017 |website=IHS Jane's 360 |access-date=6 July 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170706001404/http://www.janes.com/article/72007/ak-12-assault-rifle-passes-field-tests |archive-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> Both AK-12 and AK-15 completed testing in December 2017. In January 2018 it was announced that the AK-12 and AK-15 have been adopted by the Russian military.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/01/30/breaking-russian-army-adopts-ak-12-ak-15-aek-971-aek-973-rifles-military-service-real-time/ |title=BREAKING: Russian Army Adopts AK-12, AK-15, AEK-971, and AEK-973 Rifles for Military Service (For Real This Time) |date=30 January 2018 |website=The Firearm Blog |access-date=9 February 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180604181524/http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/01/30/breaking-russian-army-adopts-ak-12-ak-15-aek-971-aek-973-rifles-military-service-real-time/ |archive-date=4 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>