Advanced Kalashnikovs to be manufactured in India

New Delhi, Feb 18 (UNI) Kalashnikov 100, an advanced version of the AK-47 assault rifle used by security forces and terrorists alike with ease, will be manufactured in India by an undisclosed company under license from the parent company--IZHMASH OJSC.

The undisclosed Indian company, in which the Centre has majority stake, is in negotiations with IZHMASH and details were being finalised, Mr Alexander A Zavarzin, Foreign Economic Activity Director of IZHMASH told reporters here today.

''I can't disclose the name of the company. It is a big company, a serious one and financially good,'' he said without disclosing the name of the company.

Mr Zavarzin, whose company is participating in the ongoing Defexpo here, said the new version of Kalasnikov would be an advanced series with a plastic handle instead of the wooden one which will be three times stronger than a wooden handle.

It will also be much lighter than the original version and will have a night vision arrangement. It will also have less recoil.

Mr Zavarzin said he had visited many states and met several police chiefs and officials trying to persuade them to equip their forces with the upgraded Kalashnikovs.

He regretted that the Kalashnikovs were misused by terrorists and criminal elements.

''We had manufactured the guns for defence of the country and not offence,'' he added.

UNI RB PK BD2050