Malta's Service Rifle: The AK

[@TheArmourersBench]

For all my videos I put together an accompanying article with all my sources of information, you can check that out here - armourersbench.com/2022/01/05/maltas-service-rifle-the-ak/ Thanks for watching and if you enjoyed the video please do like, subscribe and check out the rest of the videos on the channel! - Matt

[@jadedclone6728]

Keep posting your sources. Good shit.

[@Gneskos]

Correction: The AK Variant you see is a Chinese Type-56 II.

[@victuff9765]

Having had first hand experience of Malta in the late 1970's when British Forces were still on the island (RAF Luca) the Maltese were still using British kit. It's interesting to see that they went Combloc after the UK forces withdrawal but if you get the kit for free.. why not!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Hard to beat free isn’t it mate haha

[@atrumluminarium]

We also have a North Korean anti air system which was also a gift from Kim Jong Il for letting him study English at our university lol

[@rockmusicman21]

Surprising. Can't go wrong with the tried and trusted AK.

[@railmaster84]

Inexpensive too!

[@jic1]

@@railmaster84 Well yes, because they used to buy surplus and now the Chinese are just giving the guns to them, but AKs are actually fairly expensive rifles to make.

[@m.j.mahoney8905]

Excellent -- I love seeing the less predictable choices of these smaller armies. Any chance of doing something on the VHS rifles in Iraq? Cheers!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it! Yes, could certainly do something on the VHS, I'd like to get a look at one in person and do a detailed video on it. Interesting rifle.

[@afd19850]

I second this! VHS-2 has turned up in som interesting places!

[@aregularperson7573]

And now the vhs 2 is now available in America

[@TheArmourersBench]

It is indeed. Hellion.

[@m.j.mahoney8905]

@@TheArmourersBench and I had no idea the Helion was on the cards when I posted it. That's why they call me Mystic Mahoney, psychic extraordinaire...

[@b.griffin317]

When a country's main small arms are charity guns with airsoft furniture you know the size of their defense budget.

[@frozzie108]

Not to mention - they source their uniforms from "Cadet Direct", a UK uniform manufacturer of cheap MTP uniforms for the Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps.

[@CircaSriYak]

The fact is, Malta is a small island with small problems. Just having a military is good enough. It wouldn’t make sense for them to have more than they do, as quaint and interesting as it is.

[@b.griffin317]

@@CircaSriYak "as quaint and interesting as it is." Indeed.

[@frozzie108]

@@CircaSriYak Oh for sure! I have a few relatives in the Army - the role is mostly internal security, public duties and safeguarding the coast. They are not members of NATO and are officially neutral, they aren't deployed on combat operations. It's good for what they need.

[@hakimcameldriver]

The AK47 rifles they have were brand new, it amazes me how people with no military experience dont understand that any firearm made in the last 125 years will kill your enemy.

[@MrDK0010]

Having lived in Italy all my life, this is surprising. I have looked into the militaries and law-enforcement agencies of the Vatican and San Marino many times in detail, but it seems I have neglected Malta!

[@TheArmourersBench]

The micro nations are super interesting for sure. Malta isn't quite a micro nation but they're often overlooked, I found this really intriguing. Thanks for watching.

[@chungusbooper]

@@TheArmourersBench I think Greece might still use some refurbished BMP-1P Osts - those are BMP-1s that were stationed in East Germany, joined NATO during the German re-unification, and were then modified to fit NATO standards. Finland, too, has had a mix of NATO and Warsaw Pact vehicles.

[@jic1]

@@TheArmourersBench I think it's fair to call them a micro nation, they're smaller than Andorra.

[@togawearer2799]

@@jic1 Are you some kinda nation ablutions lurker? 🤔

[@jic1]

@@togawearer2799 I have zero idea what that means.

[@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge]

Very weird seeing a former British colony using a hodgepodge of AK variants. Can't even be simply opprotunity of cheap eastern block rifles because they started buying them in the late 70s/early 80s. But who can complain, AKs are more than capable rifles, and if Malta ever decides to replace them with something more "modern" they'll probably find a new home in some other small country's armed forces.

[@TheSunderingSea]

Malta in the 70's and 80's was run by leftist politicians who had close relations with the USSR, plus AK's are cheap and it's not as if Malta needed a big or particularly well equipped army.

[@destroyerarmor2846]

Probably modernized AK. Western guns are overrated, not good for conscription who will abuse and neglect them

[@johannzahra3317]

Malta also had a ‘secret’ treaty in the 80s with North Korea, that allowed malta to secure AKs, ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns, as well as access to training.

[@zackfenech533]

Around 50 anti air guns and almost a million ammunition if not mistaken

[@RMMilitaryHistory]

Yet another belter of a video Matt, god knows we love obscure service rifles!

[@314299]

Some interesting combinations of arms and uniforms - side folding Chinese AK's being used by troops wearing American Woodland BDU's.

[@MikeFoxtrot1]

Hello again Matt. Thanks for another interesting video on small militaries. I believe the Romanian AKM's (PM md. 63's) were part of the military aid from Col Gaddafi of arms, helicopters and boats. Malta got quite friendly with Libya for a long time. There has been a lot of complaints out of Malta in regards to the Chinese arms. It's been said they are of poor quality and wear out quickly forcing the Maltese to revert back to using the older eastern European made arms in recent years. Another service rifle used by Malta you might not be aware of is the Steyr AUG. It might sound strange but Malta has built up a close military relationship with Ireland this last decade, which includes training Maltese military officers in Ireland, Irish aircrews sent to train the Maltese helicopter crews in Malta, a patrol vessel donated to Malta and Maltese troops embedded with the Irish battalion deployed to Lebanon. The Maltese troops in Lebanon use the Steyr AUG. At first, these were Irish rifles (Steyr AUG Mod 14) on loan, but they have since procured their own Steyr AUG A3 rifles fitted with ACOG sights. I believe around 30 Steyr AUG's were purchased, probably second hand, with one source I've seen saying they were purchased from H&K off all places. One Maltese soldier has told me that they are looking to replace all their rifles with an "AR platform" rifle. Time will tell.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you and thanks for the extra info, I had seen that Maltese troops and officers were training with the IDF but I didn't know they'd bought their own AUGs, fascinating. Yes, a Maltese friend was telling me about the Libya links too so that makes sense!

[@MikeFoxtrot1]

@@TheArmourersBench I'll email you a picture of the Maltese Steyr.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you, I'll add it to the accompanying article!

[@MikeFoxtrot1]

@@TheArmourersBench I emailed you two pictures.

[@provenancemachining]

The primary reason the Chinese rifles get a lot of crap is largely due to the obvious drop in quality control in arms mainly intended for export. A rifle failing QC for export to perhaps an African nation, no one really cares. But a rifle intended for mainline PLA service failing standard QC? That would likely be a death sentence. Most Romanian and especially the East German MPi rifles are made extremely well.

[@WasatchGarandMan]

Wow thats not at all what I would have expected them still using the L1A1 or a version of the M16.

[@Jupiter.141]

AK are much easier to acquire though. L1 and m16's need to process sht tons papers before they can be purchased by bulk

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@uazfoursixnine]

Another great video! A quick overview of small-arms used by smaller armed forces. I hope this becomes a series

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks Matej! I think it may become a bit of one, it's quite fun to research. Thanks for watching.

[@archangelgabriel27]

When I was with the AFM in the Eighties, The Rifle I had was a Belgium FAL Rife and My Second was a Sterling Sub Machine Gun. The one that you mentioned I have seen them, yet at the time I was serving in the AFM, it was hardly used.

[@sumvs5992]

I heard about Malta's past before (with one of the leaders making friends with Mao, Kim Il Sung and other international villains, with NK even training some police officers in riot control or something like that), so I'm not surprised that they have AKs

[@OddBallThe4th8382]

Something you don’t hear about everyday the AFM part of my family is from there so this video was incredibly interesting!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Very glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@cowboycat9x197]

great video. I saw your mini 14 video and found it very interesting and this one was equally so. keep up the good work

[@TheArmourersBench]

Veru glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for watching, be sure to check out some of our earlier videos we have everything from a HK G11 disassembly to a history of the Ferguson breechloader!

[@michaelbevan1081]

I wish I knew or where you got the image showing how and when the Maltease uniforms changed? But this was a really interesting video, not just about small arms the country adopted and used, but also what equipment past and present where used. Excellent video. I am a new sub and took intrest in your channel when you covered the 'Bermuda defense force,' again another well put together but insightful video. I hope you have more to come and I wish you a lot of success with your channel. :)

[@TheArmourersBench]

Michael, firstly welcome to the channel, so glad you enjoyed the Bermuda video, that was a fun one. I've a few more like that and this planned. Next up is a look at a Cold War AT mine (out on Sunday). Do check out the rest of the videos on the channel we've looked at some brilliant stuff first hand in the past. As for the source on the historic uniforms image if you head to www.armourersbench.com you'll find the full accompanying article to this video that has links to all my sources, I do this for every video so people can see where I got the info. Thanks again for the sub and for watching! - Matt

[@michaelbevan1081]

@@TheArmourersBench thankyou. 😁

[@StrangelyBrownNo1]

Well that was fascinating - thanks!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@mrjockt]

If you want to do a video on a country who’s military has a multitude of different rifles try the Saudi military, I’ve seen personnel carrying FN-FAL’s, H&K G-3’s, Steyr AUG’s, H&K G-36’s, FN-2000’s and Romanian built AK-47’s, it seems each different branch of their military buys different small arms.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Great suggestion!

[@langcheng4480]

Same situation with India. Boggles me how their logistics still function

[@paulcrusse7800]

I'm an American that currently lives in Malta. This was very helpful to understand the AFM. Also it's good they have some Sigs too. Thanks keep up the good work.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks Paul, glad you found it useful! Thaks for watching.

[@paulcrusse7800]

@@TheArmourersBench I ended up watching most of your vids. Very informative and it's always good to know how to use stuff . You never know what might happen these days . Knowing how to use something you hope you never will need to use. But it's still better than it happens and you look like a monkey trying to fuck a football.

[@tristan1234567890]

It is stated on the standard information websites, that southern europe was the destination of a lot of East german kit, like the bmp 1 sold to greece

[@thepatriotsrage661]

Almost all of those rifles were Chinese Norinco Type 56's of various models -1,-2 etc. I would much prefer an Eastern Block AKM to anything Norinco makes (even the factory 66 and other quality builds).

[@rajbiswas9077]

i think eastern block AKs are costlier than Chinese ones

[@alpaslan4881]

Chinese Type 56 generally are more accurate than for example Russian AKM's, same with the SVD.

[@thepatriotsrage661]

@@alpaslan4881 I doubt it, unless they're factory 66 or equivalent quality rifles. Type 56's are easy to come by in my country, Eastern Block AKM's, less so. The tolerances on the Type 56's leave much to be desired.

[@cehj8021]

- someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about.

[@thepatriotsrage661]

@@cehj8021 ?

[@Beardman770]

Really like these videos! Please do more on strange service rifle choices!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Absolutely! Chasing a couple at the moment. Stay tuned. Next video is on a Cold War AT mine.

[@jnievele]

Malta bought some former GDR ships in the 90s, so it would make sense if they also bought some small arms etc while it was cheap - Germany just wanted to get rid of the stuff

[@TheArmourersBench]

That would make a lot of sense!

[@andrewmcbride598]

These videos are absolutely great! I learn something new in every one!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Glad you're enjoying them Andrew, be sure to check out some of our earlier videos too, we have Al sorts!

[@JamesHussey404]

Malta's Officers get trained by the Irish Defence Forces in the Cadet School too I've seen many coming and going

[@TexasSurplusPro]

That was super interesting! Great video!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you, and thanks for watching! More to come.

[@enriquetachias920]

Hope to see this turn into a playlist on your channel for Service rifles.

[@TheArmourersBench]

I think it will definitely be a bit of an ongoing series alongside other stuff! Thanks for watching!

[@enriquetachias920]

@@TheArmourersBench glad to watch your videos their information is useful especially about British ww2 equipment, my grandmother was a ww2 kid from middlesex and she didn’t leave like almost children did at the time, she stayed with her parents in England while the Germans bombard London, crazy childhood and a very sad time for British but she survived and our family didn’t get split apart from the conflict like so many others did, I still to this day will never forget the stories my grandmother told me about ww2 and how England suffered from bombings.

[@frankiegodinez8864]

You should do a video on the Mexican Military Service Rifle, it’s called FX-05 Xiuhcoatl, I believe it’s loosely based on the G36, but it was completely developed in Mexico and it’s manufactured in Mexico as well. It has now substituted many outdated weapons.

[@TheArmourersBench]

I'd love to get a look at one first hand.

[@frankiegodinez8864]

@@TheArmourersBench It would be awesome for sure, but it’s difficult due to the fact they are manufactured exclusively for the military, that is of course unless you are a Drug Cartel, they somehow got their hands on them too 🤔

[@piggosalternateaccount4917]

Oh how utterly fascinating, i've never noticed this ethier! I'm surprised of the variation!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@atteindresiempredad]

greeting from Algeria, keep your country safe

[@dragonstormdipro1013]

Very interesting. It seems Malta followed India in it’s military procurement regarding AKs. That being said, can you make a video regarding the history of AK rifles in Indian armed forces? It’s actually extremely interesting

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes absolutely, that's a great topic. The Ghatak units and dozens of police units use them. And now of course the new AK203. So lots to talk about there.

[@newtnicton9022]

Interesting and informative. Thank you.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Tha k you, and tanks for watching, more on the way!

[@The_Dude_Rugs]

Last time I was in Malta at the airport saw a guard with what I’m pretty sure I remember was a G36, not sure if he was military or police

[@matthayward7889]

Never knew this! How fascinating 👍

[@frankernest3712]

It actually makes sense. The rifle is extremely robust and durable, surplus ammo is cheap, training soldiers on the use and cleaning is easy. Also magazines are cheap.

[@Blackguineapig]

I always thought Maltas choice of AK was interesting. Apparently its adoption has a lot to do with being seen as 'properly neutral' when newly independent. I had this chat with a maltese infantry officer and some people at a range I visited in Malta, whether true or not, they all seem to think the AK was chosen to show the Soviets that they were truly neutral and not just a puppet of NATO.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Fascinating, thanks for the extra insights!

[@jic1]

Then it's ironic that they are now accepting "donations" of weapons from China.

[@frankryan3294]

Ireland is a neutral nation -but only uses NATO standard/compatible equipment. Actually the Irish Army & Air Corp has trained officer cadets from the Malta Defence forces.

[@exist7415]

@@frankryan3294 that's awesome

[@mrbananapsychooo]

We had a leader called dom mintoff part of the labour/socialist/pro-communist party that basically took malta out of the shit rubble pile it was after ww2, he was a businessman and regarded as one of the best leaders malta has ever had. he made friends with soviet leaning countries like gaddafi's libya, china, even north korea and got the best deals in exchange for giving I have no idea haha! it was basically a giant fuck you to the british after they left in 1971 and western powers trying to colonize us like our whole history. funny that nowadays its a nato ally

[@seven-sixtwo762]

2:57 anyone notice the two 54r casings ejected standing up

[@1982rrose]

Can't knock free but so much better stuff out there even in the AK family.

[@yoinks9907]

I mean ya can’t go wrong with arguably the best gun man has ever made

[@darrengarcia4937]

Which is?

[@counterfeit6089]

@@darrengarcia4937 the AR platform, which is the reason why the only Maltese troops that are actually likely to ever see combat (quick reaction forces) have ARs

[@darrengarcia4937]

@@counterfeit6089 thats what im saying. AKs are the best platform for cannon fodder that cant shoot past 300yds. Fine rifles for that.

[@counterfeit6089]

@@darrengarcia4937 indeed

[@rolliedyer458]

please do more of these videos

[@TheArmourersBench]

Absolutely, some in the works. Lots more to come. Do check out some of our earlier videos, we've got lots of interesting stuff. Thanks for watching

[@Chiller01]

Another interesting video.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks Chiller, thanks for watching!

[@michaelmckernon9739]

Maltese peacekeepers on UN dutys in Lebanon are issued with styer aug rifles given by the Irish peacekeepers who serve beside them during their deployment.

[@ProjecthuntanFish]

For a small force they look professional to me.

[@ninertactics]

I wonder how much politics and lobbying affect smaller armed services in terms of acquisition. I guess there isnt much to gain due lesser quantity compared to bigger nations.

[@volcelraptor3983]

2:57 anyone else notice the 2 casing which had been ejected from the Type 80 and standing on end.

[@chucknoris7648]

If I remember right the finish military at one point bought some Chinese ak47s I read that years ago in some article

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes! True, for their reserves iirc.

[@levinav2297]

These Chinese AK variants are also seen on rebel groups in the Philippines such as NPA.

[@sapiotone]

3:52 Are those MCX rifles chambered in 7.62 x 39 or 5.56mm? Looks like the latter?

[@TheArmourersBench]

They look like 5.56 to me.

[@hairydogstail]

I have the Chinese semi auto side folding version they are using..

[@danielmarsden4573]

North Korea also made a donation of 50 ZPU AA-guns to Malta in the mid 80s, not sure why mind you.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes, apparently so! Something to do with Malta's leader's relationship with NK at the time. Same with Libya apparently.

[@merkymurk7534]

the first picture shown in the AFM website of the ak is of the East German MPi-KM 72, shown from the iconic wire stock. This is East Germany's version of the AKM. to add, i doubt these AKs are still in use, as AB has said in his video, they are now fitted with fab mods which i think isnt compatible with the East German MPi-KMs

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes indeed it is.

[@josephmontanaro2350]

0:32 is that one of those rare 60 round casket mags in their hand?

[@TheArmourersBench]

No, I think she's just holding 2 mags in one hand.

[@tomsoki5738]

Weird that a load of the rest of the kit they use is British, I’m sure if they asked the MOD nicely they would give them 1600 stored L85’s

[@flatmoon6359]

Part of the clip shows 58 pattern webbing still in use,that will teach you to get independence.

[@KinoTechUSA69]

The Maltese AK represents every gun you've ever wished for. Some would kill for a Maltese AK.

[@iantobanter9543]

Thanks for that-very informative - I wonder what the Jack Tars of old would have made of such CCP benevolence.

[@specialforces7271]

3:49 were did you find that photo please

[@TheArmourersBench]

Maltese Armed Forces social media.

[@specialforces7271]

@@TheArmourersBench thanks bro

[@frankopanklaric]

I dont blame them for ditching the L1A1.

[@thatsnodildo1974]

God I wish I could get my hand on their AKs and FALs

[@ianmangham4570]

Excellent

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks Ian!

[@atrumluminarium]

The AKs (as well as the other eastern bloc weapons) were most of the time given as gifts from Dom Mintoff's diplomatic visits and transactions with Libya, China, North Korea and Yugoslavia. In the 70s-80s Mintoff followed Libya and Yugoslavia's footsteps in establishing the non-aligned movement. Since he was leading a socialist (though with a stronger left lean than is traditional) government, we were often given "gifts" from places like China and North Korea to try and win us over. I believe we still have the North Korean ZPU AA-guns that were gifted back in the 80s in storage

[@TheBGjosh]

I have an AK and absolutely love it. Top bad it's semi automatic only though haha

[@KoKissaki]

And Chance for a Video of Stg44’s in Syria? Where they delieverd by the soviets or just copys?

[@TheArmourersBench]

They definitely weren't copies. I will work on it! Thanks for watching.

[@brianrocks7277]

Officer training for Malta takes place in ireland.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Interesting!

[@brianrocks7277]

@@TheArmourersBench They have served on peacekeeping deployment with the Irish Defence Forces.

[@Blackguineapig]

Maltese officers do some training in Malta and then the rest abroad. All officers in the Air Wing train at RAF Cranwell in the Naval Sqn they train at Dartmouth or in Italy at the Livorno Naval College. The officers seen to be top of their course go to the UK with those ranked below going to Italy. Officers in the 'army side' train either at RMA Sandhurst, the Infantry Officers basic course in the US or at the Irish Defence Force Accademy. Again the officers cadets are sent to the UK if they are seen as a particularly strong candidate (normally 1 per year) the rest are sent to US or Ireland with a preference to the US seen as the more prestigious post.

[@ryanhili409]

I'm proud

[@elliswatanabe]

i emailed the AFM about their AKs ages ago, but they never responded.

[@TheArmourersBench]

I got a response when researching this but they declined to comment due to operational security.

[@Easy-Eight]

Free rifles and cheap ammo is always good.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Hard to beat free!

[@skookapalooza2016]

I was really surprised that a former Commonwealth nation went with Chinese combloc weaponry.

[@MikeFoxtrot1]

Malta is still a member of the Commonwealth and it's not the only member to use Chinese rifles. Sir Lanka and Pakistan both use the Type 56 and I'm sure a few others do as well.

[@spdfatomicstructure]

Malta is still in the Commonwealth. What makes it more surprising in this context is that Malta is also in Western Europe and the EU

[@ReapingRose115]

Definitely an interesting choice but then again, being one of many popular service rifles, it does make a lot of sense given its mature design and on initial adoption there was only a requirement for barebones rifles with irons. Compared to the SA80 series of rifles, the AKs are proven to be far more reliable and thanks to its well thought out simplistic, large controls and ergonomics (albeit slower compared to the AR15 and other newer rifles). Not to mention the simplicity of the design and its soldier focused reliability, not that the SA80 in current incarnations isn't reliable but the A1 gets a lot of flak for QC and in general fragility of certain parts. Not to mention that the SA80 isn't left hand friendly due to the ejection port, and the ergonomics while workable, can feel like a chore when compared to a conventional rifle. The choice for 7.62x39 vs 5.56x45 or 5.45x39, I'd say the latter two would've been a better choice for range, accuracy and repeatability but 7.62x39 type rifles are far more common for the AK. It probably came down to logistics since you're far more likely to procure 7.62x39 ammo, and AKs in 5.56 were all but unheard of outside of Poland and select Russian models. 5.45 wasn't particularly popular outside of Russia either, which may have further dictated the choice. The AK may not be as modern when compared to newer designs but you'd be hard pressed to ignore that it can still perform its duty, and with aftermarket support at an all time high, it'd defo allow them to cut costs in replacing a whole armaments worth of weapons for something non-AK. With the AK203 being a popular export, time will tell if Malta decides to procure these models for the future.

[@sergiom9958]

Surprisingly they didn’t add flash hiders or muzzle devices.

[@TheArmourersBench]

No! Nothing like that.

[@TheAlexagius]

Oh yes.

[@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge]

An excellent firearm!

[@DudeInWalmart]

Can't beat free

[@luki188]

I mean...... Its Malta.... But at least they can defend themselves

[@param3998]

please make a vid on indian armed forces.

[@cameronjodoin309]

Could you do a video on the Canadian Rangers still using the SMLE No. 4?

[@kiwigrunt330]

They're not. Replaced a few years ago with the Tikka T3x Arctic.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes, that's a sadly true, replaced now. I can certainly cover that though at some point!

[@jic1]

@@TheArmourersBench I think the Danish Navy's Sirius Dog Sled Patrol is still using M1917s, still in their original chambering of .30-06. That might make an interesting video.

[@MikeFoxtrot1]

A lot of Indian police units still use the No4 rifle - in combat - with each other.

[@jic1]

@@MikeFoxtrot1 They still make new Lee-Enfield based sporting rifles in India chambered in 8X50R Mannlicher ('.315 Sporting'), .303 British and .308 both being restricted as military cartridge there.

[@richelle9563]

Is Malta the Island called Altis used in the game called ARMA 3?, How fascinating seeing weird weapons of Malta and that it's a neutral country.

[@stevemc6010]

Altis is based on the Greek Island of Lemnos, Malta is across the sea near Libya.

[@rikantony6571]

malden resembles malta more...

[@corey8420]

What did Malta give up to get those weapons from China?

[@StarWarsSurvivalist]

Probably a vote recognizing them as the one, true China in the United Nations and disavowing Taiwan if I had to guess.

[@corey8420]

@@StarWarsSurvivalist agree and probably access to a port

[@louiswilkins9624]

Cool

[@EvMund]

Are you sure those are AKs? Those look more like Type-56-2s to me

[@EvMund]

Oh wait you mentioned that later on

[@pajamalama2027]

it looks like the type 56

[@thedesignerblacksmith5953]

Now I find it quite hilarious because at first, all the block use the same weapon was a good idea. Later,you can buy AK from Russia,China,Bulgaria,...so commercially it’s not a good idea

[@andrejmucic5003]

Why is side mount optics not good enough? Russian AK, modern ones, it comes standard. Picattiny is OK but not essential.

[@pieterwillembotha6719]

It's funny to see the British-looking military work uniform alongside an AK, but then I remember that Pakistan does this.

[@SamEEE12]

Better than a Mini 14! 😅

[@TheArmourersBench]

Hahah

[@afd19850]

Reminds me of when Israel traded their Galils for surplus M16A1’s that the US gave them. If you aren’t going to war anytime soon, why waste money on a decent service rifle when you can get a great choice for free!

[@LaughingMan44]

What did the Chinese get in return...hmmm

[@Sd1v8v]

I wonder if Malta would give/sell it's Eastern block weapons and equipment to Ukraine ?

[@vitorpereira2942]

Remember when they shot at a youtubers boat during a training exercise

[@umbrellacorpmarketingdept7154]

Yassssss

[@clayc1287]

Chinese 56-2 in the thumbnail.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Spot on Clay.

[@jamesvandemark2086]

Sensible, rugged, reliable........

[@medic7698]

I wouldn't be surprised if they got the AKs from Libya as they used to be friendly.

[@robert506007]

Frankly on a purely practical basis this kind of makes sense. Lucky for Malta they are so small there was no serious political blowback

[@TheArmourersBench]

Indeed!

[@jasonashley4579]

A to the K homeboy!

[@alexchong8024]

I don't understand why government can't buy new weapons for army use

[@TheArmourersBench]

They will I'm sure. Small arms are often the last thing to be bought haha

[@NGaugeVideo]

I wonder what the Chinese got in return for such a big donation of guns? 🤔

[@rajbiswas9077]

looks like Chinese type 56-2