Ukraine Manufacturing Tavor in 5.45x39mm

Steve Johnson
by Steve Johnson

Ukrainian state-owned firm RPC Fort (Research and Production Company Fort of the Ministry of Interior of Ukraine) is manufacturing under license a variant of the IWI Tavor chambered in 5.45x39mm Russian.

Seen pictured with the South African Milkor UBGL (40mm Underbarreled Grenade Launcher)

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are still primarily armed with 5.45x39mm chambered firearms inherited from the Soviet Union. They have adopted a small number of RPC Fort-manufactured 5.56mm Tavors, presumably in use by special forces.

Don’t load the wrong cartridge! 5.45x39mm is marked in large white letters.

Israel manufactures the Tavor in 5.56x45mm and 9mm. It has been claimed that India is manufacturing it chambered in 5.56×30mm MINSAS but I have seen no evidence of this and am skeptical.

[ Many thanks to Danny for the tip. ]

Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson

I founded TFB in 2007 and over 10 years worked tirelessly, with the help of my team, to build it up into the largest gun blog online. I retired as Editor in Chief in 2017. During my decade at TFB I was fortunate to work with the most amazing talented writers and genuinely good people!

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  • Tony Tony on Oct 16, 2012

    I guess this means the Ukraine is tired of being regarded as: "weak" :)

  • Secundius Secundius on Jul 13, 2014

    I use to shoot the AK-74, because I like handling and accuracy far better then the AK-47. But now that I'm in a wheelchair, I find the standard AK-74. A wee be awkward to handle and shoot, because of how I have place or maneuver. Can anyone tell me about the handling characteristics and performance specifications on the Tavor Bullpup (5.45x39mm) design.

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