Seven Contracts to Export 100,000 Kalashnikov Rifles Signed in 2017

[Zarvan]

AK-74M Assault Rifle: Image by Kalashnikov

Russia’s arms exporter Rosoboronexport has signed seven contracts to export more than 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles in 2017, the company’s CEO Aleksandr Mikheyev said on Tuesday.

He however did not specify the countries or organizations which had signed up to buy the iconic assault rifles.

"There is great interest in Kalashnikov rifles in the Asia-Pacific Region, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. In 2017 we have already concluded seven contracts to sell more than 100,000 different models of Kalashnikovs. Talks are in progress with several customers," Mikheyev said, according to Tass.

Of all small arms of Russian manufacture Kalashnikov assault rifles are in the greatest demand from foreign customers.

"Since its establishment Rosoboronexport has exported more than one million models of this rifle. In several countries Kalashnikovs are produced under license with Russian assistance.

In 2017 alone more than 15,000 Kalashnikovs have been produced under license, and starting from 2001 - several hundred thousand," Mikheyev said at a ceremony of unveiling a monument to Russian rifles designer Mikhail Kalashnikov on Tuesday.

Rosoboronexport promotes to the world market Kalashnikov’s model AK-74M and several models from the "100th series" (AK-101, AK-102, AK-103, AK-104 and AK-105). More AK modifications are to hit the world market soon.

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