Automatkarbin 24

The Automatkarbin 24^[a] (Ak 24, English: Automatic carbine 24) is the Swedish version of the Finnish Sako M23 assault rifle, modified primarily to suit Swedish conditions.^[2]

Automatkarbin 24
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Finland
Service history
In service	2025–present
Used by	See Users
Production history
Manufacturer	SAKO
Variants	Automatkarbin 24A Automatkarbin 24B
Specifications
Mass	3.2 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)
Cartridge	5.56×45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated, short-stroke piston, closed rotating bolt
Sights	Rödpunktsikte 18 EHV B (Aimpoint Comp M5)

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

History

Since 2012, it had been well known that the ageing 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 M23 family, which had entered production just one year earlier.^[4]

Production

First delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces in December 2024^[5] 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^[6] and was praised for its overall balance, lightness, good ergonomics, and ease of use.^[7]

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.^[8]

Design

The weapon 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. They 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 servicemembers.^[9]

Users

• Sweden: 32,500 units to be delivered before 2027.^[7]

Footnotes

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