Шведская автоматическая винтовка Ak 5: История и модернизации

The Ak 5 (, English: Automatic Carbine 5) is a license built Swedish version of the Belgian FN FNC assault rifle, with certain modifications, mostly to adapt the weapon to the partially subarctic Swedish climate. The Ak 5 is the current service rifle of the Swedish Armed Forces, adopted in 1986, partially replacing the Ak 4, a license built version of the Heckler & Koch G3. In 2021, Sweden announced that they were looking to develop a new rifle in collaboration with Finland, which would replace the Ak5. In 2023 this rifle took shape as the new Ak 24.

In the mid 1970s, despite the failure of the Nytt infanterivapen (New Infantry Weapon) program, the Swedish Armed Forces decided to continue to follow the general transition towards smaller calibre ammunition and directed the Försvarets MaterielVerk (FMV) (Defence Materiel Administration) to procure a suitable replacement for the Ak 4 capable of using 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition, which under STANAG4172 is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non NATO countries. The weapon was required to be highly reliable in the subarctic climate of northernmost Sweden, as well as being easy to handle and maintain, while meeting a certain minimum level of accuracy. From 1975 the FMV evaluated and tested the Colt M16A1, Stoner 63A1, ArmaLite AR 18, Steyr AUG, Beretta M70, IMI Galil, FN FNC, FN CAL, SIG 540, HK33 and FFV 890C (a Swedish Galil variant) 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles. The FN FNC and FFV 890C were tested in 1979 1980 at infantry regiment I11 in Växjö. After further testing from 1981 to 1985 the FMV eventually chose the Belgian FN FNC, which received several modifications. These included a larger trigger guard and cocking handle (to allow for operation while wearing winter gloves, a necessity for temperatures reaching down to ), a larger handguard, a different collapsible shoulder stock, different iron sights and gas block, a modified bolt, deletion of the 3 round burst capability, and a corrosion resistant green (instead of black) finish. Further the detachable box magazines were modified to be interchangeable with the M16 rifle STANAG magazines. This rifle was finally accepted by the Swedish military as the Ak5 in 1986. Swedish blank ammunition uses a wooden plug in place of a bullet, so the flash suppressor was fitted with grooves to accept the Swedish blank firing adaptor, which prevents potentially dangerous pieces of wood from leaving the weapon by smashing the plug into a fine sawdust. The flash suppressor was also designed to accept rifle grenades, although none have been accepted into service. During the troop trials there were an alarming number of complaints by soldiers about damaged teeth from being struck in the mouth by the blank firing adaptor. This was revealed to be caused by the practice of having the weapon slung across the chest rather than the back. Rather than changing this practice (which would reduce the ability of the soldier to rapidly bring the rifle into action), a special plastic cap (later changed to a hard rubber version) was issued to cover the adaptor.

The Ak 5 is the Swedish licensed produced version of the FN FNC. Along with its other variants (Ak5B, Ak5C and Ak5D), all respectively have a cyclic rate of fire of around 650–700 rounds per minute(RPM).

The CGA5C2 (Carl Gustav Automatic Carbine 5 C2) was a prototype model during the evaluation and development of the Ak5 in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The first versions of the Ak 5 family were made by the Swedish company FFV Ordnance AB (later part of Saab Bofors Dynamics) under license from FN, with deliveries starting in 1986. This version of the Ak5 is still in the inventory of the Swedish Armed Forces, but is no longer issued to soldiers, having been replaced by the Ak5C and Ak5D. This version uses fixed iron sights, and the Swedish Armed Forces have estimated that the maximum practical distance is 400 meters, but it can be used at longer ranges. This brings it in line with the M16, using the Swedish Armed Forces definition of maximum practical distance. As issued, the Ak 5 did not have a bayonet lug. A bayonet lug adaptor (using the Ak4 bayonet) is fitted to some rifles for ceremonial duties, such as the Royal Guards at the Stockholm Palace.

The Ak 5B is the designated marksman version of the Ak 5. Modifications include fittings for a 4×25.5 SUSAT L9A1 tritium sight, a cheek pad on the buttstock, and removal of the iron sights. This weapon was typically carried by squad leaders. This version weighs 4.8 kg (without magazine) and 5.4 kg (with full magazine). Approximately 5200 of this version were made. It is no longer in service.

The Ak 5D has a shortened barrel and handguard. It also features the MIL STD 1913 rail system for easy mounting of a variety of sights. Due to the smaller dimensions of the carbine, the Ak 5D is especially suited for ranger/urban warfare units and vehicle crews who often benefit from a more lightweight and compact weapon when taking into account the nature of their assignments and the environments in which they often operate. The Swedish Police have used a version of the Ak5D; see below. The newest Ak 5D Mk2 version has the same upgrades as the "C" model but retains the shorter barrel.

Some units of the Swedish Police have used a special version of the Ak 5D called CGA5P or sometimes (incorrectly) Ak5DP. Essentially it is a black (instead of the regular military green) Ak5D with automatic fire capability disabled by a hex screw, which can be removed if automatic fire is needed. Unlike the Ak5D, the police version has fixed sights but is still equipped with the MIL STD 1913 rail system to allow the use of telescopic sights or red dot sights. Unlike its military counterparts (except for the Ak5C/D versions), the police version has safety catches on both sides of the weapon.