RATMIL AKM-63

     Notes: This Romanian variant of the AKM is not only one of the most unique-looking AKM variants; it is also one of the lightest.  This is achieved by extensive use of plastics, light alloys, and light woods.  The AKM-63 features a foregrip (though later models dispensed with this to make manufacturing easier and to allow the attachment of a grenade launcher).  India purchased about 100,000 of the AKM-63 due to the problems with acquiring 5.56mm ammunition for its new INSAS assault rifle and difficulties with finding someone who would replace their aging FN-FALs and L-1A1s; these AKM-63s are in the process of being replaced by the now-available INSAS and new purchases of Tavor-series rifles from Israel.

     The AKM-80 is the carbine variant of the AKM-63; the primary changes are the chopped barrel and lighter sort of folding stock.  It is also able to accept a 20 round magazine in addition to the normal 30-round magazine.  The barrel is so short that it can be difficult to control, and the lack of a flash suppressor does not help with the massive muzzle blast.  Compared to the AKM-63, the AKM-80 is rare, but the AKM-63 was produced in such large numbers that this is not saying much.  The AKM-80 cannot mount a bayonet, nor can it mount a grenade launcher. 

    Twilight 2000 Notes: A very large portion of the Romanian Army was still armed with the AKM-63 or AKM-80 at the start of the Twilight War.  In addition, a large amount of replacement handguards were also manufactured to replace the ones with foregrips and allow a larger use of GP-25 and AG-40 grenade launchers.  India started to receive AKM-63s in 1994, but the shipments abruptly ceased in early 1995 after the Indians had received a mere 8,000 of them.  The AKM-80 was a fairly common weapon among vehicle crews and certain command personnel; though Romania did not have much in the way of a special operations capability, the AKM-80 was also used by those special ops soldiers she did have.

     The AIMS also known as the AKM-65, is a variant of the AKM which is slightly heavier than the AKM-63 due to differences in the folding stock.  It was also designed to reduce costs, using the less-expensive folding stock version, a 45-degree gas block, and a rear trunnion using less rivets. Shooting wise, it is identical to the AKM-63 (in game terms).

     Merc 2000 Notes: by 2002, the Romanians had managed to dump virtually all of their AKM-63s on the international military and civilian markets in favor of newer weapons.  Aside from India, the best place to find an AKM-63 was in Africa or Southeast Asia. 

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

AKM-63

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.1 kg

30

$827

AKM-80

7.62mm Kalashnikov

2.8 kg

20, 30

$783

AIMS

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.2 kg

30

$827

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

AKM-63/AIMS

5

4

2-Nil

4/5

4

9

46

AKM-80

5

3

2-Nil

3/5

3

7

29

 

RATMIL AK-86

     Notes: This is the Romanian counterpart of the AK-74; it is not really a Romanian variant of the AK-74, since RATMIL used the AKM as a base and then converted it to fire 5.45mm Kalashnikov.  Like the RATMIL version of the AKM, the standard version is lighter than its Russian counterpart due to the use of polymer furniture; however, early production models used wooden furniture and had a foregrip, like the AKM-63.  (These early production versions are rarely seen in Romanian service anymore, but many collectors are interested in them.)  The early production model also lacked any sort of flash suppressor or muzzle brake, but current production models have a RATMIL-designed flash suppressor.  When found with a grenade launcher, it is normally fitted with the AG-40 instead of the GP-25.  The fire selector allows for safe, semiautomatic, automatic, and 3-round burst.  The other difference is the different stock style, with a skeletonized stock on the AK-86 and a very light metal stock on the AKS-86 (also known as the AIMS-74; though the AIMS-74 designation was not given to the 5.56mm NATO version) and AKS-97; these versions also used less experience (in real life) and use a 45-degree gas block, a less-expensive folding stock, and a rear trunnion with less rivets.  A modified training version of both types is also available, firing .22 Long Rifle ammunition, and RATMIL began selling a model firing 5.56mm ammunition in 1996, in anticipation of Romanian entry into NATO.  The training rifle differs in having a solid hardwood stock and sights calibrated for shorter ranges; the 5.56mm NATO model also has different sights suited to the ammunition.  Both can still mount a bayonet or a grenade launcher.

     The last version, the AKS-97, is designed for use by special operations, bodyguards, and for CQB.  It is essentially the AK-86 with shorter barrel.  It can still mount an underbarrel grenade launcher, but cannot use a bayonet.  Rumors say that the Romanians are working on a “tricked out” version of the AK-97 with a MIL-STD-1913 rail atop the receiver and four-position rails on the handguards, but this has not been confirmed.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Most Romanian soldiers not armed with the AKM-63/80 were armed with the AK-86 or its carbine variant.  Most of the training rifles have been converted back to 5.45mm.  The 5.56mm version was never produced.  The AK-97 is available, but only in small numbers.

    Merc 2000 Notes: This weapon was almost also very common on the world market, but not as popular as the AKM-63/80.  The 5.56mm version has seen some sales, but is out of production by 2002; the AK-97 version in 5.56mm was particularly disliked due to high muzzle blast and a flash suppressor that was ill-suited to the round.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

AK-86 (Early Production)

5.45mm Kalashnikov

3.21 kg

30, 40

$656

AK-86

5.45mm Kalashnikov

3.1 kg

30, 40

$671

AKS-86

5.45mm Kalashnikov

3.1 kg

30, 40

$691

AK-86

5.56mm NATO

3.1 kg

20, 30, 40

$747

AKS-86

5.56mm NATO

3.1 kg

20, 30, 40

$767

AK-86 Trainer

.22 Long Rifle

3.57 kg

20

$227

AK-97

5.45mm Kalashnikov

2.8 kg

30, 40

$645

AK-97

5.56mm NATO

2.8 kg

20, 30, 40

$722

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

AK-86 (Early)

3/5

3

1-Nil

5

2

4/6

45

AK-86 (5.45mm)

3/5

3

1-Nil

5

2

4/6

45

AKS-86 (5.45mm)

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

4/6

45

AK-86 (5.56mm)

3/5

3

1-Nil

5

2

4/6

41

AKS-86 (5.56mm)

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

4/6

41

AK-86 Trainer

3/5

-1

Nil

5

1

1/2

34

AK-97 (5.45mm)

3/5

2

1-Nil

3/5

2

4/6

28

AK-97 (5.56mm)

3/5

2

1-Nil

3/5

3

4/6

25