The world’s most famous assault rifle could be made in the UAE under plans being considered by its owner.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are both being considered as potential locations for a Kalashnikov factory, according to the chief executive of its parent Rostec, the Russian military conglomerate.
Sergey Chemezov made the disclosure in an interview with The National on the sidelines of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
"Currently we are discussing an opportunity to open a plant to manufacture Kalashnikov weapons somewhere in the Gulf countries," said Mr Chemezov.
"We are deciding on here or Saudi Arabia," he added.
Famed for its reliability in conflicts from Vietnam to Afghanistan, there are thought to be more than 100 million AK-47s, as the assault rifles are also known, in circulation.
The plan to establish a base in the region comes as Kalashnikov is seeking to attract private sector investment.
الخبر يقول يا ان المصنع في الامارات او في السعوديه فقط
لذا ان كان في السعوديه فهو لنا و ان كان في الامارات فهو للاشقاء في السعوديه
