Stockholm Contracts Finnish Firm for Additional AK 24 Assault Rifles for Armed Forces
Stockholm, Sweden – The Swedish Armed Forces are set to receive a substantial boost in firepower, as the government has officially contracted Finnish small arms manufacturer Sako for the delivery of 22,500 additional Automatkarbin 24 (AK 24) assault rifles.
This recent order falls under a cooperative framework established between Sweden and Finland in March 2021, aimed at the joint modernization of their firearms in response to growing security challenges. The initial procurement of AK 24 rifles was announced earlier this year in March.
As per the new agreement, Sako is scheduled to supply the first batch of 7,500 automated carbines to Swedish troops in 2024, with an additional 15,000 units to follow in the subsequent year. The AK 24, a versatile 5.56 mm caliber automatic carbine, is designed to accommodate both right- and left-handed shooters, making it an ideal choice for various personnel in the armed forces.
According to a press release from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), the AK 24 will serve as personal armament for soldiers whose primary role does not involve direct combat with an automatic carbine. The weapon is expected to be integrated across all units within the Swedish Armed Forces.
FMV has reported positive outcomes from initial testing phases, having conducted over 30,000 rounds in shooting trials since last spring. "So far, our tests and troop trials have gone well, and the weapon fulfills what the supplier promised," stated FMV Project Manager Anders Östberg. He noted, however, that minor adjustments are still needed as new details arise during squad trials, which the supplier is currently addressing.
Currently, the Swedish military has deployed 200 AK 24s for training and evaluations, alongside an additional 1,200 units ready for operational use. The ongoing enhancements to Sweden’s arms capabilities underscore its commitment to maintaining security and readiness in a rapidly changing defense landscape.
