Automatkarbin 24

❧

Wikipedia

Automatkarbin 24
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originFinland
Service history
In service2025–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
ManufacturerSAKO
Unit cost45,000kr per unit in 2025
Produced2024–present
VariantsAutomatkarbin 24A
Automatkarbin 24B
Specifications
Mass3.2 kg (7.05 lb) empty
Length
  • 714 mm (28.1 in) (Ak 24A)
  • 800 mm (31.5 in) (Ak 24B)
Barrel length
  • 292 mm (11.5 in) (Ak 24A)
  • 368 mm (14.5 in) (Ak 24B)
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
ActionGas-operated, short-stroke piston, closed rotating bolt
Feed system30-round detachable STANAG magazine
SightsRödpunktsikte 18 EHV B
(Aimpoint Comp M5)

The Ak 24[a] (Swedish: Automatkarbin 24, lit. 'Automatic carbine 24') is the Swedish version of the Finnish Sako ARG 40 assault rifle, modified primarily to suit Swedish conditions.[2]

History

Since 2012, it had been well known that the ageing Ak5C rifles in use were in dire need of replacement.

As part of the Nordic defence strategy, Finland and Sweden signed an agreement in April 2021 concerning the exchange of information regarding future procurements of soldiers’ personal equipment. This was followed in September by an arrangement for joint procurement, and an implementation document was signed in December of the same year.[3]

In spring 2023, the Swedish Armed Forces, together with the Finnish Defence Forces who were also seeking to replace their Cold War era rifles, signed a contract with Finnish firearms manufacturer SAKO to supply each respective armed force with firearms from the new ARG family, which had entered production just one year earlier.[4][5]

The 5.56 personal defense weapon (SSV 24) will have an 11.5 inch barrel, an Aimpoint CompM5 red-dot sight and Magpul furniture.[6] The introduction of the 5.56 variant will start in 2025, and the 7.62 variants will begin seeing service in 2026.

The 5.56 PDW variant with an 11.5" barrel will replace the current Swedish inventory of Ak 5D carbines and other PDWs, while the infantry 7.62 rifle (16" or 18") will replace existing Automatkarbin 5C rifles and Automatkarbin 4B/C rifles. The 7.62 marksman variant (18" or 20") will replace the Ak 4D DMR.

Design

The Ak 24 and its variants are lightweight, gas-operated firearms chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO calibre, featuring magazine-fed systems that utilise short-stroke pistons and closed rotating bolts.

The Ak 24 have a select-fire mechanism with semi-automatic and fully automatic modes, operated by a two-stage trigger requiring 2.5–3.5 kg (5.51–7.72 lb) of pressure to fire.[2]

The firearm's variants differ in length. The Automatkarbin 24A features a short 292 millimetres (11.5 in) barrel designed for officers, while the Automatkarbin 24B has a longer 368 millimetres (14.5 in) barrel intended for general use by other service members.[7]

Variants

Ak 25

Swedish 7.62mm battle rifle.[8]

Unnamed variant

Swedish 7.62 marksman rifle.[8]

Adoption

As the new standard service rifle of the Swedish Armed Forces, it will gradually replace the Automatkarbin 5 and Automatkarbin 4 from 2025 onwards.

The Swedish procurement will supply the armed forces (including Home Guard), police, customs service, security service, and coast guard.[citation needed]

First delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces in December 2024[9] and adopted by conscripts at the Norrland Dragoon Regiment in January 2025, the rifle has been reported as a significant improvement over the Ak 5[10] and was praised for its overall balance, lightness, good ergonomics, and ease of use.[11]

Incident

However, two months later, the newly introduced firearm was temporarily banned from use after training instructors reported a delay in firing after the trigger was pressed, raising serious concerns about both safety and usability. The ban will remain in place until the root cause of the issue has been identified and all delivered units have undergone individual inspection.

An investigation was launched immediately and was reportedly linked to the series-produced units, as the initial experimental versions did not exhibit the same problem.[12]

In November 2025 the suspension of user trials was partially lifted, and trials resumed after a tolerance error in the production rifles had been identified and corrected. Deliveries are expected to resume in the second quarter of 2026.[13]

Users

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Initially designated as Självskyddsvapen 24 (SSV 24), literally personal defence weapon 24. Designation was later changed to avoid confusion with PDWs.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Häggblom 2024
  2. 1 2 TFB 2025
  3. ↑ Puolustusvoimat 2021
  4. ↑ Försvarsmakten 2023
  5. ↑ "Eldhandvapen" (in Swedish). Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "Nya Eldhandvapen" (PDF) (in Swedish). Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  7. ↑ Taktisk 2024
  8. 1 2 "Eldhandvapen" (in Swedish). Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  9. ↑ FMV 2024
  10. ↑ Folkesson 2025
  11. 1 2 DN 2025
  12. ↑ Owetz 2025
  13. ↑ BDR 2025

Sources