Vepr

The Vepr (Ukrainian: Вепр, wild boar) was announced in 2003 as the first indigenous Ukrainian assault rifle, designed by the National Space Agency of Ukraine. Note that on the Ukrainian Government Portal website (see below in External Links), the Vepr is classed as a sub-machinegun. It is one of several bullpup conversions of the conventional AK-74 design, along with the Polish Kbk wz. 2005 Jantar, the Chinese Norinco Type 86S, the Russian KBP A-91 and OTs-14 Groza, the Finnish Valmet M82 and the South African Vektor CR-21.

History

Prior to the development of the Vepr, the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were equipped mainly with the AKM and AK-74 assault rifle designs, typical of Warsaw Pact countries. Currently only small number of Veprs are in service with Ukrainian special forces. Recently, as part of ongoing reforms in the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has declared intentions to purchase thousands of Veprs by the year 2010. However, since the political tides in Ukraine are moving towards a NATO and possibly a European Union membership, and since a well-launched Ukrainian gun manufacturer (RPC Fort) is offering on the Ukrainian market firearms in "western" calibers such as the Israeli TAVOR assault rifle, the future of this weapon in Ukrainian service may be in jeopardy. As of 2010 with NATO membership off...
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