The AK-74 (Kalashnikov Automatic Rifle, Model 1974 (Russian: ??????? ??????????? ??????? 1974 ????) is a 5.45mm assault rifle developed in the early 1970s in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It was developed from the earlier AKM (itself a refinement of the AK-47) and introduced in 1974. The rifle first saw service with Soviet forces engaged in the Afghanistan conflict.[1] Presently, the rifle is used by the majority of countries of the former USSR. Additionally, unlicensed copies were produced in Bulgaria (AK-74 and AKS-74U), China (Type 88), the former East Germany (MPi-AK-74N, MPi-AKS-74N, MPi-AKS-74NK) and Romania (PA md. 86).