Ukraine Replaces Soviet-era AK-47s with U.S. Made AR-15 Assault Rifles

Ukrainian troops are phasing out decades-old Soviet-era AK-47 rifles in favor of U.S.-designed AR-15 assault rifles as part of a nationwide weapons modernization effort.

The newly introduced UAR-15, manufactured largely inside Ukraine, is now being issued to frontline units. Soldiers say the weapon offers better accuracy, reliability, and adaptability compared to the ageing Kalashnikovs still in service.

“The war has changed a lot. Drones are now the biggest threat and it is the drones that hit our positions the most,” said a National Guard soldier identified as Yakusa. “We learn and practise how to hit drones using the UAR-15 to make our fighting more effective.”

For decades, Ukrainian forces relied on the Soviet-designed AK-47, but many of the rifles still in circulation date back to the 1960s. Some soldiers say the outdated weapons are prone to malfunction. “The rifle I was using was made in 1962. It was old and rusty,” recalled a serviceman known as Nord. “The first thing it did when I started using it, it failed to fire twice.”

Adopted in 2023, the AR-15-style UAR-15 comes with multiple barrel configurations, the ability to fit suppressors and accessories, and a service life of up to 10,000 rounds. It also weighs about 600 grams less than the AK, giving troops a mobility advantage.

“Logistics is very complicated now, and the boys end up having to negotiate long distances on foot,” explained a soldier called Yhuzhnyi. “The UAR is lighter, which means we can carry more ammunition, provisions or water.”

According to Ukraine’s defence ministry, almost all parts of the rifle are now produced domestically, with only the barrels currently imported from the United States. Ukraine plans to begin local barrel production by 2026.

The switch to U.S.-designed rifles aligns Ukraine’s arsenal more closely with NATO standards as the country continues its fight against Russian forces.