By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia's Kalashnikov Group, the maker of the famous assault rifle, announced on Thursday it recorded its highest rate of weapons production in the last two decades during the past year.
“In general, the arms production division has achieved a record plan over the past 20 years - the production of military and civilian small arms exceeded the results of 2021 by 40%,” the company said in a statement.
The statement said the company fulfilled 45 state defense contracts, 24 military-technical cooperation agreements and planned work on organizing licensed production under one contract.
“These are the largest contracts in the history of the enterprise,” it added.
Kalashnikov is the flagship of the Russian weapon industry, producing about 95% of all small arms in the country, according to its website.
Kalashnikov Group companies produce not only small arms, but also specialized military and civilian transport and equipment, such as drones, high-speed transport and assault boats for special operations forces, and high-precision missile weapons. Kalashnikov Group exports its products to more than 27 countries around the world.