Russia’s Silent Budget 9x39 Weapon Program - The 9A91 & VSK-94

Summary

This article details the development of Russia's budget-friendly 9x39mm weapon program by the Tula-based KBP Instrument Design Bureau in the post-USSR era. It focuses on the 9A91 compact assault rifle and the VSK-94 sniper rifle, both designed in 1992 and adopted around 1994-1995, offering more affordable alternatives to existing specialized platforms. The article also discusses the short-lived PAB-9 armor-piercing cartridge, which was abandoned due to performance issues.