Russia plans to export more than 100,000 of Kalashnikov weapons in 2017

Director General of JSC Rosoboronexport (part of the Rostec State Corporation) Alexander Mikheev attended the unveiling of a monument to the legendary small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov.

“Looking at the monument that has been unveiled today I recollect Mikhail Timofeyevich saying that the dream of all people, including him, was peace and reconciliation on our planet, tranquility and happiness of our fellow citizens. The words reveal, in the best possible way, the true nature of this legendary person, who spent the last years of his life working as an Adviser to Director General of Rosoboronexport. He can be credited with setting the company with a number of countries, who had never cooperated with Russia on small arms before”, – Director General of Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheev said.

During his long career Lieutenant General Mikhail Kalashnikov, Doctor of Engineering, two-time Hero of Socialist Labor, Hero of the Russian Federation, developed over 30 various variants of the weapon, many of which have become the most popular in their respective market segments. This year the legendary AK-47 marks its 70th anniversary. Kalashnikov assault rifles are currently in service with almost 100 foreign militaries, whose number grows continuously.

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“Kalashnikov assault rifles enjoy the greatest demand with foreign customers of all Russian-made small arms. In the course of its activities, Rosoboronexport has exported more than a million various rifles. Our assistance has also enabled a number of countries to launch the AK licensed production. Over 15,000 Kalashnikov weapons have been built under license in 2017, bringing the total of rifles produced since 2001 up to several hundred thousand”, – Alexander Mikheev added.

At present Rosoboronexport promotes AK-74M and AK-100 family of rifles (AK-101, AK-102, AK-103, АК-104 and АК-105) in the international market. The global market also expects brand-new variants of the AK rifle to be presented soon. Some of the company’s partners have already shown interest in these weapons.

“Asia-Pacific, Middle Eastern, African and Latin American countries are interested in the AK assault rifles. In 2017 we have concluded 7 contracts for supplies of more than 100,000 of various AK weapons and have entered talks on supplies of the rifles with a number of other customers”, – Alexander Mikheev noted.

Rosoboronexport is the only state-owned arms trade company in the Russian Federation authorized to export the full range of military and dual-purpose products, technologies and services. It is a subsidiary of the Rostec Corporation. Founded on 4 November, 2000, now Rosoboronexport is one of the leading world arms exporters to the international market. Its share in Russia’s military exports exceeds 85 percent. Rosoboronexport cooperates with more than 700 enterprises and organizations in the Russian defence industrial complex. Russia maintains military technical cooperation with more than 70 countries around the world.

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About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

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