Sweden Signs Agreement For More Sako AK 24 Rifles

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has requested an additional 22,500 AK 24 (Automatkarbin 24) rifles for the Swedish Armed Forces. The supplier is the Finnish company Sako, owned by Beretta Holding. The AK 24 is an automatic carbine in caliber 5.56mm that is adapted for both right- and left-handed shooters. The AK 24 will be used in all units within the entire Armed Forces, and there are currently 200 trial and experimental weapons of the AK 24 type in use. The first 1,200 weapons have also been delivered to FMV, and further deliveries are underway according to plan. During the autumn, FMV will carry out delivery checks of the automatic carbines before they are handed over to the Armed Forces for regular use.

The Ak 24 @ TFB:

• POTD: The Swedish Automatkarbin 24 Full-Auto Suppressed
• POTD: Swedish Home Guard Demonstrates Automatkarbin 24 (Sako)
• POTD: Sweden's New Automatic Carbine 24
• POTD: Peak Swedish Automatkarbin 5

Below is the full press release (machine translated from Swedish):

FMV signs agreement for more automatic carbines

“FMV calls off an additional 22 500 automatic carbines 24 (AK 24) to the Swedish Armed Forces from the framework agreement already signed with Sako.

“The first 7500 weapons will be delivered in 2024 and the following year an additional 15 000 will be delivered,” says Anders Östberg, FMV’s project manager.

The order was made on a joint visit by Jonas Lotsne, FMV’s head of operations area of army equipment, and Jonny Lindfors, Army Chief Armed Forces, at the Finnish supplier Sako.

In spring 2023, FMV signed a framework agreement with Sako on firearms to the Swedish Armed Forces. The framework agreement, which runs over ten years, is part of a joint Swedish-find procurement of firearms systems and associated technology. The intention is to create security of supply for both Finland and Sweden and to improve interoperability by using the same types of weapons with the same types of ammunition.

– First out for delivery to the Swedish Armed Forces is AK 24 in caliber 5.56, which will replace the Armed Forces’ current assault rafters. It is a more modern and lighter weapon with better ergonomics and better adjustment possibilities by body size, says Anders Östberg.

Tests and troop trials

During 2024, FMV auditioned the AK 24 at FMV's test site in Karlsborg to check that the weapon meets the requirements set by the Swedish Armed Forces. In the so-called verification and validation of the weapon, a wear force is made, which means that the FMV during the test period fires 30 000 shots with a weapon. The number of shots corresponds to the life of the weapon. The purpose is to ensure that all parts hold, that nothing breaks and that the weapon works according to requirements. In addition, 200 weapons are used in troop attempts, where soldiers from four units since last spring use AK 24 as a test and experimental weapon.

– So far, our tests and troop trials have gone well, the weapon meets the supplier's promise. But as in all squad attempts, there are details that are difficult to predict and need to be adjusted. These details are now being remedied, says Anders Östberg.

Delivery according to plan

FMV has recently received the first delivery of series-produced AK 24 and additional deliveries will come in the autumn. Before the end of the year, FMV will deliver 7 300 AK 24 to the Swedish Armed Forces.

"The delivery goes according to plan, both in terms of deliveries from Sako to FMV and from FMV to the Swedish Armed Forces," says Anders Östberg.

The order of more AK 24 that FMV has now made means that the Swedish Armed Forces will receive delivery of an additional 22 500 AK 24 in the coming two years.”