Russian Media: How Chinese Components Penetrated the AK-12 Kalashnikov Automatic Rifle!
The investigation into the state contract fraud case involving the "Kalashnikov" Group has concluded.
Reported on April 27 by "First Russian."
According to law enforcement authorities, private contractors did not produce components themselves but instead procured them from China and then resold them at inflated prices to defense enterprises.
It turns out that suppliers were not merely purchasing parts—they were custom-manufacturing components in China based on designs provided by the Kalashnikov design bureau.
Yet evidently, they relied on small workshops—this is pointed out in the investigative report.
In spring 2025, news emerged about the arrest of entrepreneurs Alexey Ledyonov and Alexey Morokhov, registered founders of the company "Intertekhnika."
The former was later released under bail, while the latter remains detained in a pre-trial detention center.
The case involves charges of massive fraud and smuggling of military supplies.
Investigations revealed that the matter pertains to the modernization of the AK-12 automatic rifle.
To produce two new components, the conglomerate brought in a third-party company, "Intertekhnika," which applied for production of 84,000 semi-finished items.
However, public records indicate this contractor employs only several hundred people, and its commercial assets appear insufficient for full-scale defense production capability.
Additionally, another company owned by Morokhov, "Ivanovskiye Kovshi," had already been listed on the blacklist of untrustworthy suppliers prior to securing the order.
According to the investigation, the main modus operandi was simple: ordering components from Chinese manufacturers and then selling them as their own products.
As stated in case materials: "According to the investigation... as representatives of contracting organizations, they purchased components from China at prices below market rates."
The parts were of poor quality, resulting in nearly one-third of the first batch being scrapped, and about 20% of the second batch failing inspection.
Reports indicate that only the bolt delay mechanism and safety switch of the AK-12 rifle were involved.
Findings show the issue wasn't with Chinese manufacturing per se, but rather that contractors deliberately used Chinese-made replacement parts that did not meet Russian technical standards.
The investigation continues. Experts believe this incident highlights vulnerabilities inherent in relying on private contractors to fulfill defense orders.
The Kalashnikov Group remains a core enterprise in Russia's defense industry: since 2022, it has been appointed by the Russian government as the primary coordinator for supplying combat equipment to the Russian Armed Forces; in 2026, it continues significantly increasing production of the AK-12K short rifle and testing new multi-projectile ammunition designed to counter drone threats.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863572624090119/
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