Automatkarbin 24

Lore & Background

The Ak 24 originated from a Nordic defence cooperation framework agreement signed in April 2021 between Finland and Sweden to exchange information on future procurements of soldiers' personal equipment. This was followed by an arrangement for joint procurement in September 2021 and an implementation document in December 2021. In spring 2023, the Swedish Armed Forces, alongside the Finnish Defence Forces, signed a contract with Finnish firearms manufacturer SAKO to supply rifles from the new Sako ARG family, which had entered production in 2022. The Ak 24 was initially designated as the SSV 24 (Självskyddsvapen 24, meaning 'Personal defence weapon 24'), but this was later changed to avoid confusion with personal defence weapons.

The rifle was first delivered to the Swedish Armed Forces in December 2024 and adopted by conscripts at the Norrland Dragoon Regiment in January 2025. It was reported as a significant improvement over the Ak 5, praised for its overall balance, lightness, good ergonomics, and ease of use. However, two months later, the firearm was temporarily withdrawn from service after training instructors reported a delay between the trigger being pressed and the weapon firing, raising serious concerns about safety and usability. An investigation was launched, reportedly linked to production rifles, as experimental versions did not exhibit the same problem. In November 2025, the suspension of user trials was partially lifted after a tolerance error in production rifles was identified and corrected, with deliveries expected to resume in the second quarter of 2026.

Reader's Guide

The Automatkarbin 24 represents a significant shift in Swedish small arms procurement, moving from the domestically modified Ak 5 to a joint Nordic solution with Finland. Its adoption underscores the deepening defence cooperation between the two countries, formalised through a series of agreements from 2021. The rifle's initial delivery in December 2024 and adoption by conscripts in January 2025 marked the beginning of a phased replacement of the Ak 5 and Ak 4, with 90,000 units planned for the Swedish Armed Forces, Swedish Police Authority, and Swedish Coast Guard.

The temporary withdrawal in March 2025 due to a trigger delay issue highlighted the challenges of introducing a new production firearm, though the problem was traced to a tolerance error in production rifles rather than a fundamental design flaw. The correction and partial lifting of the suspension in November 2025 allowed trials to resume, with deliveries expected to restart in mid-2026. The Ak 24's two variants—the short-barrelled Ak 24A for officers and the longer-barrelled Ak 24B for general use—reflect its intended versatility across different roles. Its legacy will be defined by its performance in Swedish service and its role in standardising equipment within Nordic defence frameworks.

Did You Know?

• The rifle was temporarily withdrawn from service two months after adoption due to a delay between trigger press and firing, later traced to a production tolerance error.
• The Ak 24 has two variants: the Ak 24A with a 292 mm barrel for officers and the Ak 24B with a 368 mm barrel for general use.
• A total of 90,000 units are to be delivered to Swedish forces, including the Armed Forces, Police Authority, and Coast Guard.