ASH-78

The ASH-78 (Automatiku Shqiptar 78) is an Albanian assault rifle developed in the 1970s as a licensed variant of the Chinese Type 56, itself modeled after the Soviet AKM. Chambered in 7.62×39mm, the ASH-78 was produced in Albania's Gramësh factory and used by the Albanian People's Army and later the Albanian Armed Forces.

ASH-78 Rifle
The ASH-78 Albanian Rifle
Type	Assault Rifle
Place of origin	Albania, Gramësh
Service history
In service	1978 present
Used by	Albanian Armed Forces, Kosovo Liberation Army
Wars	Various conflicts, Kosovo war
Production history
Designed	1978
Unit cost	N/A
Produced	1978-1993
No. built	100,000+
Variants	ASH-78/1, ASH-78/2, ASH-78/3
Specifications
Mass	3.8kg
Length	882 mm (37.0 in)
Barrel length	414 mm
Caliber	7.62x39mm
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	710 m/s (2,330 ft/s)
Effective firing range	400 m (effective range)
Feed system	30-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron sights, optional optical sights

History

The ASH-78 was developed in Albania in 1978 during a period of isolation from Western and Eastern military powers. It was intended to provide the Albanian military with a reliable, domestically produced firearm based on the design of the Chinese Type 56.^[1]

Design

The Albanian ASH-78 is a variant of the AK family of rifles, specifically modeled after the Chinese Type 56. The design was heavily influenced by the Chinese AK models because Albania had close ties with China during the Cold War, particularly after its split from the Soviet Union.

Characteristics

• Caliber: 7.62×39mm
• Weight: Approximately 3.8 kg
• Length: 882 mm
• Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
• Effective range: 300–400 meters

Variants

• **Tip-1**: Standard ASH-78 rifle
• **Tip-2**: Heavy-barrel version for sustained fire
• **Tip-3**: Equipped with grenade launcher capability

Production

The ASH-78 was produced at the KM Poliçan & Gramësh factories in Albania. Production began in 1978 and continued through the 1980s.^[2]

Accuracy potential

The ASH-78 is considered to have moderate accuracy, in line with similar AK-pattern rifles. It is capable of effective fire at ranges of 300 to 400 meters.

Users

The ASH-78 was used primarily by the Albanian military but has found its way into other hands during conflicts in the Balkans.

•  Albania
•  Afghanistan The Albanian government provided 30,000 rifles for the new Afghan National Army. Many of the rifles were later captured by the Taliban during the 2021 Taliban offensive. ^{[3] [4]}
• Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina The Bosnian Muslim side received weapons from Sali Berisha during the Bosnian war.^[5]
• Kosovo Liberation Army

Conflicts

The ASH-78 was used during the Kosovo War, the Yugoslav Wars, and other regional conflicts in the 1990s. During the Albanian civil unrest of 1997, many ASH-78 rifles were looted and distributed among civilian groups.

Cultural influence and impact

The ASH-78 remains a symbol of Albanian self-reliance during its Cold War isolation. Though no longer in use by official military forces, it has a place in Albanian military history.

Gallery

• 
  Ash-78 copy of Type 56.
• 
  Albanian soldier with Ash-78.