I found this a little strange but also indicative of just how much the world has changed since the end of the Cold War era.
The Ukrainian company Mayak is producing licensed versions of the AR15 (more commonly known as the M16) rifle.
Known as MZ-15, the rifle is produced with a common lower receiver but can be made with one of three different upper receivers (the upper receiver contains the barrel). These are chambered for either 5.56x45mm (the original configuration of the M16), 5.45x39mm or 7.62x39mm (Soviet military rifle rounds)
Mayak also license produces a version of the AR10 (the 7.62x51mm precursor to the M16) particularly for the DMR role (Designated Marksman Rifle)
Linden wrote:I knew there were AK type weapons in 5.56mm, so there's a certain kind of symmetry to it.
Indeed, I was under the impression that Ukrainian forces used 5.56N versions of the AK when on UN duties. I suppose there's also an element of "we're NOT Russians" involved in this
Lee Williams.
"Superstition is the name the ignorant give to their ignorance"
Yes to all of the above, in fact Mayak refurbishes/rebuilds AKM rifles along with some other Soviet era weapons still in use with Ukrainian military forces.
I do find it amusing that the Ukrainians show how much they are not Russians by adopting the infantry rifle of their former (when they were Soviet) enemy!
Unfortunately I don't have dates or exact locations, but I definitely remember the first time I saw Ukrainian forces on UN duty they were posted alongside French troops. As the Ukrainians were still using AK-74s in 5.45mm the French had loaned them a bunch of FAMAS, so we were treated to the unlikely sight of troops in Russian style uniforms carrying French rifles.
Lee Williams.
"Superstition is the name the ignorant give to their ignorance"
