The mystery behind the Ethiopian "AK103"

A Kalashnikov story by @thedixiemauser

Fig 1-1: Ethiopian rebel pictured with an AK103 pattern assault rifle (Soure: Private photo collection)

Introduction

It has been rumored that Ethiopia has been producing an AK103 pattern 7.62x39mm assault rifles for several years as of writing this paper in mid 2023, but there has been no substantial evidence of a possible Ethiopian made “true” AK103 pattern rifle until fairly recently. In 2022, several photos of mysterious AK103 pattern rifles were posted by Oromo rebel groups on social media, sparking the interest of the author to further investigate the possibility that Ethiopia produces a “proper” AK103 pattern assault rifle.

Fig 1-2: An example of a Russian made AK103 assault rifle (Source modernfirearms.net)

Gafat Armament Engineering Industry

If Ethiopia is in fact producing an licensed, or unlicensed, AK103 pattern assault rifle, this rifle is likely produced at one of the several factories that is controlled by Gafat Armament Engineering Industry.

Fig 1-3: Alleged Gafat Armament Engineering Industry brochure (Source: 38north.org)

Gafat Armament Engineering Industry (GAI) is a state owned subsidiary of the Metals and Engineering Corporation (METEC). GAI was established in 1986. GAI allegedly received assistance from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the 1980s. It is generally accepted that the DPRK did assist GAI with plans & technical advisors to set up a manufacturing line to produce the Type 68 pattern 7.62x39mm assault rifle in Ethiopia. This obscure Ethiopia Type 68 clone is designated the GAFAT-1.

Fig 1-4: Alleged Gafat Armament Engineering Industry brochure (source: werewolf0001.livejournal.com)

Fig 1-5: A photo allegedly taken inside a GAI factory in Ethiopia (source: @africaken1 on Twitter)

Fig 1-6: A photo allegedly taken inside a GAI factory in Ethiopia. It appears that this area of this factory finishes & assembles buttstocks for GAFAT-1 & or ET-97/1 Kalashnikov pattern rifles (source: africaken1 on Twitter)

The GAFAT-1

Fig 2-1: Type 68 assault rifle. This example features “domestic” markings, and the pistol grip & buttstock appear to be replacements. (source: smallarmsreview.com)

The Ethiopian GAFAT-1 is a clone of the Korean Type 68 produced by GAI in Ethiopia. The Type 68 assault rifle is a unique Kalashnikov variation that borrows features from European AKM pattern rifles, as well as features from the 1955 pattern Soviet AK, which the DPRK actually produced under license as the Type 58. It is unknown exactly when GAI started production of the GAFAT-1, or if GAI still produces the GAFAT-1 in 2023.

Fig 2-2: GAFAT-1 7.62x39mm assault rifle (source: conflict.id)

Fig 2-3: GAFAT-1 7.62x39mm assault rifle (source: conflict.id)

Fig 2-4: GAFAT-1 7.62x39mm assault rifle (source: conflict.id)

Like the Type 68, the GAFAT-1 has an AKM-ish front trunnion & rivet pattern, stamped steel receiver, AK style selector, AK themed bolt carrier, heavy AK-ish barrel, AKM accessory/bayonet lug, small selector notches, & a unique vented gas block. Images of GAFAT-1 rifles seen by the author all appear to feature large auto-sear pin embossings, whilst only some Type 68 rifles have this feature. The selector markings for the GAFAT-1 are comprised of latin character, with an “A” designating the full-auto position & “S” designating the semi-auto position.

Fig 2-5: GAFAT-1 7.62x39mm assault rifle (source: sadefensejournal.com/Vlad Onokoy)

The ET-97/1

Fig 3-1: Village guard pictured in Ethiopia in 2017 with what appears to be an ET-97/1 7.62x39mm assault rifle (source alamy.com/Joerg Boethling)

In the image above (Fig 3-1), an individual pictured in an Ethiopia village can be seen carrying a rather odd Kalashnikov pattern rifle. Judging by the AK 1955 pattern steel magazine loaded in this rifle, it is somewhat safe to assume that this rifle is chambered for 7.62x39mm. This rifle features an AK74 style rear trunnion rivet pattern, AKM style fire selector, smooth top cover, AKM style gas block featuring a accessory/bayonet lug, bolt carrier with lightening cut, no visible sling mount present near the gas block (unlike the GAFAT-1), and uniquely Ethiopian black furniture which can be observed on some GAFAT-1 rifles & other Kalashnikov rifles used by Ethiopian National Defense Force soldiers & Ethiopian rebel groups. This rifle does appear to feature a GAFAT-1 (Type 68) style mainspring assembly.

Fig 3-2: Close up of a Type 68 rifles bolt carrier. The GAFAT-1 is a Type 68 clone, thus it has a similar profile carrier. Note the difference between this bolt carrier and the bolt carrier seen on the rifle in Fig 3-1 (source: author)

Fig 3-3: Close up of a Bulgarian AK74 rifles bolt carrier. Note the similarity between this bolt carrier and the bolt carrier of the rifle seen in Fig 3-1 (source: author)

Fig 3-4: Rear trunnion rivet pattern & fire selector seen on a Bulgarian produced AK74 (parts kits build) assault rifle. Note the similarity between this AK74 rifle & the rifle seen in Fig 3-1 (source: author)

Fig 3-5: Bayonet lug & accessory lug shown on Bulgarian AK74 (parts kit build) assault rifle (source: author)

Fig 3-6: Ethiopian soldier pictured with what appears to be a ET-97/1 Kalashnikov pattern rifle (source: @africaken1 on Twitter).

The images above & below show Ethiopian soldiers carrying a similar pattern of Kalashnikov that is seen in Fig 3-1. These rifles appear to not just be GAFAT-1 rifles fitted with “AK74” muzzle brakes, but appear to be their own unique pattern of 7.62x39mm Kalashnikov rifle that vaguely resembles an “AK 103”, but primarily differing in the fact that these rifles have a fixed buttstock. The rifles seen in Fig 3-6 & Fig 3-7 have front sling mounts located near the gas block, as well as front sight blocks that feature an AK74 style bayonet lug. It is possible that these rifles are inspired by mid-production Soviet AK74 assault rifles, or even the Korean Type 88 5.45x39mm assault rifle.

The assault rifles shown in Fig 1-3 & Fig 1-4 that are possibly referred to as the ET-97/1 also have similar characteristics to these rifles seen in Fig 3-1, Fig 3-6, & Fig 3-7. In Fig 1-3 & Fig 1-4, it is clearly (both a bayonet & GP25 pattern under barrel grenade launcher are fitted at the same time) demonstrated that the pictured rifles have a separate bayonet & accessory lug, similar to an AK74, Type 88, or AK103 assault rifle.

Fig 3-7: Ethiopian soldier pictured with a ET-97/1 of Kalashnikov rifle (source: @africaken1 on Twitter)

Another AK74 feature seen on these AK74 themed rifles is the early to mid production “stepped” AK74 pattern muzzle brake. A similar style of stepped muzzle break is also seen on the Korean Type 88 5.45x39mm assault rifle that is produced by the DPRK.

Fig 3-8: Bulgarian produced AK74 front sight block and muzzle break. The Bulgarian AK74 is patterned off a 1983 (mid-production) pattern Izhmash AK74. Note the top of the sight & gap in front sight block (source: author)

Fig 3-9: Reproduction late AK74 pattern / AK100 series muzzle device made by Arsenal USA. Notice the longer “collar” and more gradual taper towards the rear of the muzzle brake (source: author)

Digging deeper

According to a research paper titled Productivity improvement of the AK 103 assembly line written by Ethiopian based Tadesse Gebray & Ashish Thakur that was published in 2018, production of a rifle referred to as the “AK 103” was underway at a GAI controlled factory located 15km away from Bishoftu, Ethiopia in the late 2010s. Production amounts of the “AK 103” by GAI was allegedly 3430 rifles per year at the time this paper was written. This “AK 103” rifle produced by GAI is likely the same pattern of rifle pictured in Fig 1-3, Fig 1-4, Fig 3-1, Fig 3-6, & Fig 3-7. This “AK 103” production research report was written with the support of Mekelle University in Ethiopia.

Fig 4-1: Kalashnikov front trunnions for stamped receivers, Type 88 style front sight assemblies, and Type 68 style gas blocks pictured at a GAI factory (source: Productivity improvement of the AK 103 assembly line)

Apparently there were issues with the “AK 103” manufacturing & assembly process at GAI, leading Gebray & Ashish to write a research paper that devised some solutions to increase quality & production amounts of the “AK 103” at the GAI factories.

In Fig 4-1, several Type 88 themed front sight blocks can be seen. On an AK74 rifle, Type 88, & Russian AK103, the barrel is not threaded, instead the muzzle device is threaded onto large diameter threads located on the front sight block.

Fig 4-2: Example of a threaded AK74 pattern front sight block. Notice how this Bulgarian produced AK74 front sight block differs from the Ethiopian “AK 103” sight block (source: author)

Fig 4-3: Type 68 front sight block. Notice the relatively small threaded barrel (source: author)

Fig 4-4: DPRK Type 88 5.45x39mm assault rifle front sight block & muzzle break. Note the similarities to the front sight block seen used by ET-97/1 (source: ak47_cataog on Instagram)

Fig 4-5: Close up of what appears to be a unfinished ET-97/1 front sight block. This image was likely taken at a GAI factory. Note the similarities to the Type 88 front sight block (source: Productivity improvement of the AK 103 assembly line)

According to Aragaw Meressa, an Ethiopian based mechanical engineer who also wrote a research paper covering possible solutions to reduce the amount of defective products manufactured in the GAI factories, GAI did at some point have a contract with the DPRK based Korean Ryong Bong Corporation (KRBC), who assisted with setting up the ET-97/1 rifle & ET-97/2 under barrel grenade launcher production line. The United Nations Security Council website describes KRBC as a “defense conglomerate specializing in acquisition for DPRK defense industries and support to that country’s military-related sales”.

It is highly likely that the KRBC provided technical production information for the Type 88 front sight base & the Type 88 muzzle device. These designs were likely slightly altered due to 7.62mm being a larger caliber than 5.45mm. What is odd, is that at least one Ethiopian “AK 103” features an AK74 style rear trunnion, which is not present on known Type 88 rifles.

Judging by the reports written by Gebray, Ashish, & Meressa, the AK74 themed rifle that is nicknamed “AK 103” is likely officially designated the ET-97/1. The brochures, or pamphlets, that show this unique AK74/Type 88 themed rifle also refer to this rifle as the ET-97/1. Judging by the “97” present in the designation ET-97/1, this rifle possibly entered production, or was designed in, the year 1997.

The ET-97/1 is a truly odd rifle that borrows features from the AK74, Type 88, Type 68/GAFAT-1, & AKM.

Fig 4-6: Another pamphlet that is of possible Ethiopian origin. This pamphlet directly refers to this AK74 themed 7.62x39mm rifle as the ET-97/1 (source military-history.fandom.com)

A second generation of GAI AK103?

Fig 5-1: An image of two AK103 pattern 7.62x39mm assault rifles that were allegedly captured from Ethiopian military forces in 2022. This photo was uploaded by Oromo rebels in 2022 (source: private photo collection)

In October of 2022, the photo above was uploaded to social media by a Oromo rebel group. The rifle at the top of the image appears to possibly be an Iranian produced KL-133 7.62x39mm AK103 pattern assault rifle, whilst the rifle on the bottom is of unknown origin.

In the middle of the photo, several thirty round magazines can be witnessed. On the far left, middle right, and far right, Chinese or Iranian produced thirty round stamped steel thirty round 7.62x39mm AK magazines can be seen. Two Russian 7.62x39mm polymer metal reinforced magazines produced by Izhmash can also be observed in the middle of the photo.

The rifles in this photo have what appear to possibly be Ethiopian produced thirty round polymer magazines. On the bottom of these magazines, a star can be seen that is very similar to the star seen in the center of the Ethiopian flag.

Fig 5-2: Ethiopian flag (source: public domain/Wikipedia)

The bottom rifle that is speculated to be at least a partially produced at a GAI factory by the author has some unique features that make it quite distinctive. Firstly, the barrel components, comprising of the gas block & front sight block, on this rifle are pinned in place, rather than pressed in place. Most Russian AK103 rifles that have been produced by Izhmash (Now officially known as Kalashnikov Group) have barrel components pressed in place.

This possible GAI assembled rifle has the weapons chambering marked on the left side of the rear sight block, as well as a serial number marked on the front trunnion. The magazine release is straight, and the bolt cam initiator is rounded. All these features are not present on known versions of the Iranian KL-133 rifles.

Fig 5-3: Unique characteristics present on this AK103 pattern rifle of unknown origin (source: private photo collection)

Fig 5-4: Bolt cam initiator (often called a “bump rivet”) seen on a Izhmash 7.62x39mm Saiga rifle that was produced in Russia in 2008. Saiga rifles are made on the same line as the Izhmash AK103 (source: author)

Fig 5-5: Iranian produced KL-133 serial number location & shape of bolt cam initiator (source: Iranian_Militarism on Telegram)

Fig 5-6: Some of the ways to identify an Iranian produced KL-133 assault rifle. Pointed out are the selector notches, selector markings, magazine release, and location of the three serial number digits engraved on the bolt carrier (source: Iranian_Militarism on Telegram)

These possibly Ethiopian produced AK103 pattern rifles are very similar to Russian & Iranian produced AK103 pattern rifles. One could speculate that either (or both) Iran or Russia provide components to produce these “second generation Ethiopian AK103” rifles. It could also be speculated that Ethiopia acquired the technical data package (TDP) & production assistance from Kalashnikov Group via Rosoboronexport. There is no proof to back up these claims that Ethiopia has the AK103 TDP or receives parts from Iran or Russia, but these pictured AK103 pattern rifles of unknown origin are so similar to the Russian AK103 rifles, that it would be hard to believe these are completely reverse engineered in Ethiopia without any assistance from either Iran or Russia. It is also possible that these are Russian or Iranian produced rifles that feature pinned barrel components & unique markings.

Fig 5-7: Pro-Ethiopian government combatant pictured with mysterious AK103 pattern assault rifle in 2021 (source: Channel 4 news)

Fig 5-8: Ethiopian soldier pictured with what appears to be an Iranian KL-133 assault rifle. The magazine seen loaded in this rifle is possibly of Ethiopian origin, and the selector on this example is AKM-ish (source: FDRE Defense Force on Facebook)

Fig 5-9: AK103 pattern rifle of unknown origin (red arrow) seen with a possibly Ethiopian produced thiry round polymer magazine. This photo was uploaded to social media by Oromo rebels in February of 2022 (source: private photo collection)

Fig 5-10: AK103 pattern rifle of unknown origin pictured with various other munitions by Oromo rebels in December of 2022. Notice the several serial number digits partially visible on the bolt carrier, and the AK74 style selector notches (source: private photo collection)

Fig 5-11: AK103 pattern rifle of unknown origin (left) & what appears to be an Iranian KL-133 (right) that were photographed by an Oromo rebel group in October of 2022 (source: private photo collection)

The rifle pictured on the left in Fig 5-11 is an AK103 pattern 7.62x39mm assault rifle of possibly Ethiopian origins. The rifle has pinned barrel components, & what appears to be more than three serial number digits present on the right side of bolt carrier (Izhmash usually only marks AK bolt carriers with three digits), and has small selector notches (unlike the AK 1955 style selector notches seen on the Iranian KL-133). The magazine loaded in the rifle on the left appears to be a thirty round magazine produced by Kalashnikov Group.

Why the presence of Russian AK103/AK104 magazines? Well, the Ethiopian military does appear to use Russian made AK103 pattern rifles.

Fig 5-12: Ethiopian soldiers pictured with that appear to be Russian made AK103 assault rifles. Note the position of the serial number & the small amount of digits present on right side of these weapons bolt carriers (source: FDRE Defense Force on Facebook)

5-13: Serial number marked on the bolt carrier of a Russian made Izhmash Saiga rifle. This rifle was made in 2008. Saigas use most of the same components as an AK103. Note the three digits & serial number location (source: author)

Fig 5-14: Serial number marked on a Kalashnikov Group (formerly Izhmash) AK12 assault rifle that was produced in 2023. Note the three digits & the numbers location (source: private photo collection)

Conclusion

GAI has quite the interesting track record of producing odd Kalashnikov pattern rifles. The AK103 pattern rifles of unknown origin appear to be very well made compared to the GAFAT-1 & ET-97/1 (Ethiopia’s only known “AK 103”). In the end, the origin of this mystery AK103 cannot be proven until on the ground professional small arms investigators have the ability to thoroughly examine multipe of these rifles.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank WillScary on YouTube (aka 7N6co on Instagram) for inspiring me to write this article & for his insight on some of the topics that were covered in this article.

I would also like to thank Vlad Onokoy for inspiring me to write this article by publishing a video of a GAFAT produced AK many years ago, which brought my attention to Ethiopian made Kalashnikovs.

If you wish to see more neat “North Korean” Type 88 photos, check out ak47_catalog on Instagram.

Sources:

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