The US Army has issued a sources-sought notice for Russian-made AK-74 Kalashnikov assault rifles or any copies made in other countries.
According to the service, the rifles must have a fixed stock and approximately 16-inch barrels.
Proposals may also include four 30-round steel or polymer box magazines, one cleaning kit, one oil bottle, one shoulder sling, and a user’s manual.
Responses to the notice should include the country of original manufacture, the army said.
“Weapon systems of interest are those that follow the design pattern of rifles from Romania (eg. md.86), Russia (eg. AK-74), and East Germany (eg. MPi AK74),” the notice reads. “Weapons manufactured elsewhere are also desirable provided they adhere to the AK-74 pattern.”
The US Army did not specify why it is seeking the assault rifles.
However, several defense outlets noted that the US military maintains stocks of various foreign armaments to mock enemies during simulation drills or to support research efforts.
The AK-74 Kalashnikov Rifle
The AK-74 Kalashnikov is a 5.45-caliber, air-cooled weapon widely used as the standard service assault rifle of the Russian military.
Based on the classic AK pattern, the rifle is designed to be reliable in adverse conditions and easy to use by military personnel with minimal training.
It has an overall length of 940 millimeters (37 inches) and a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute.
The Kalashnikov can integrate red-dot, telescopic, and night vision sights for improved accuracy in low-light conditions.