PRESS: Kalashnikov to launch plants in Venezuela, India, S Arabia

MOSCOW, Feb 19 (PRIME) -- Russian arms producer Kalashnikov plans to launch arms producing facilities in Venezuela, India and Saudi Arabia, Kommersant business daily reported on Tuesday citing CEO of state industrial corporation Rostec Sergei Chemezov.

The plant in Venezuela will produce AK-103 assault rifles and can be launched by the end of 2019, Chemezov said at an industry trade fair, the daily reported.

Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport and Venezuela’s Ministry of Defense signed a 1.1 billion ruble contract on construction of plants to produce rifles and ammunition in the country in 2006.

The daily also reported citing sources that an intergovernmental agreement with India on construction of a rifle plant was signed on Monday. The facility can be launched in three to four months.

Rosoboronexport and Saudi Arabia plan to agree on joint production of AK-103 assault rifles soon, the daily reported citing the company’s CEO Alexander Mikheyev. Chemezov confirmed that a contract with Saudi Arabia can be signed in the coming weeks.

(66.2470 rubles – U.S. $1)

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