Why did the Soviet Union design the AEK-971 in the 1980s to be this low recoil weapon for their troops only to abandon it during Project Abakan? How did the US military Advanced Combat Rifle program influence them? It was 20% more accurate and had a high rate of fire all while being lower weight. Kalashnikov’s son competed in the trial. Now after many decades the AEK-971 has returned as part of the ratnik trials and won alongside the AK-12 to be used NOT by regular troops but by special forces only. #RUSSIA #MILITARY #INVASION