When the M16 rifle was first introduced in the Vietnam War, it had a number of issues. There were so many problems that American troops were killed in combat simply because they couldn't shoot back. Even after the kinks were worked out, a dirty M16 was and is much less likely to operate than a dirty AK So US troops were known to pick up AKs from their fallen enemies and keep them handy When the AK was first introduced, it was such a great weapon that the Red Army actually hid it from the world.
The US didn't really know about its existence until the mids. Not that the American military would buy its standard-issue rifle from its main geopolitical foe and potential World War III adversary anyway. These days, the US does not field AKs, but some members of its military are trained to use them. Special operations forces from all branches might have to pick up an enemy AK at some point because of the nature of their work — sometimes help isn't coming.
The rifle was designed to be carried, maintained and fired by anyone in the area who happened to need its services. And if you need a weapon like the AK, you need to be able to use it fast, whether you're a professional soldier or a poorly trained conscript. The worldwide availability and durability of the AK also makes it an attractive weapon for terrorists, militias and other illegal paramilitary organizations.
Whether they're trying to take over a military base in frozen tundra or overthrowing a government in Sub-Saharan Africa, the AK works really well in every environment, is always available usually at a steep discount and will still work even if it falls into water, mud, sand or some other muck. The average lifespan of a terrorist in a gunfight isn't very long, so that rifle is likely going to hit the ground, and someone is going to need it to work when they pick it up.
The terrorist group is definitely going to need a cheap replacement. He can also be found on Twitter blakestilwell or on Facebook. For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Good Subscriber Account active since Shortcuts.
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The AK has become one of the most recognizable and enduring firearms in the world. In the US, it has a reputation as an enemy weapon, but US troops and gunowners alike have sought it out — here's what you need to know about Mikhail Kalashnikov's legendary invention.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Get a daily selection of our top stories based on your reading preferences. Loading Something is loading. Email address. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Stay up to date with what you want to know. Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. The first model of the AK assault rifle was introduced into service with the Soviet army in Designed to be cheap and reliable as well as simple to operate and produce, the AK and its derivatives remain the world's most widely used assault rifles seven decades later.
On top of its cheap price, the weapon has proven hugely popular with soldiers, criminals and militants due to its durability and reliability. Some different types of Kalashnikovs are now produced in at least 30 countries and vast quantities of the weapons have turned up in trouble spots all over the world for decades, especially in Africa.
Hundreds of thousands of them disappeared after the breakup of Yugoslavia, frequently ending up in the hands of terrorists and criminals. Most of the Kalashnikovs used in the Paris attacks at Charlie Hebdo and the Bataclan theater were purchased in Belgium and traced back to the Balkans and to Serbia in particular. Considering that the black market is awash with AKs, how much would it cost to illegally procure one?
A new report from Global Financial Integrity has shed some light on the shady world of arms smuggling and the cost of an AK in several different countries. According to the report, the price of an AK increases the further it travels, with a smuggled rifle crossing the U.
With over a million Kalashnikovs still produced each year, one of the world's foremost killing machines is still set to be at the center of the global arms trade for decades to come.
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