Kalashnikov, designer of AK-47, dies at 94

Moscow, Dec 24: The man who designed the most iconic weapon of 20th century - AK-47 - is dead. A former soldier of Soviet Union, Mikhail Kalashnikov died at the age of 94, according to a report from the Associated Press.

AK-47, an assault rifle, was gained popularuty during World War II and Vietnam war and was heavily exported by the Soviet Union. Reports say that more than 100 million AK-47s have been built since 1947.

Various versions of the gun are still widely used by militaries around the world.

AK-47 was was a relatively late entrant in World War II. But soon it was widely distributed by the Soviet Union against its American counterpart - the M16. The gun was used during the Vietnam War and was produced in various countries. Many similar weapons were feveloped by manu countries and some of the weapons gained polularity. The AKM, a modernized version of the original AK-47, is one such guns.

Born into a family of peasants, Kalashnikov left home at a young age to join the Soviet Union's Red Army. He quickly rose to the top ranks in the army and became a tank commander.

Kalashnikov first began designing the AK-47 after he was injured in World War II. He received some of the Soviet Union's highest honors. Since Soviet Union was a socialist regime then, Kalashnikov didn't get a patent or royalty for his design.

Oneindia News

(With agency inputs)