Russia will produce Kalashnikov assault rifles in Venezuela
Russia delivered all the necessary equipment for the production of Kalashnikov assault rifles and ammunition,to Venezuela. This was announced by the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Rogozin, who oversees the military-industrial complex.
"In 2019, we will expect a plant that manufactures AK-103 rifles and ammunition to start operating in full force. That means, that any past problematic issues will have been resolved. Although the building is not ready yet, the contractor has changed and all Russian equipment is already fully supplied, that is, all machines are in a safe custody storage. Last, we have chosen a Venezuelan contractor to complete this project," Rogozin said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.
According to him, "the building is half built; there are no windows, no doors nor stable electricity, but all that is to be completed by the Venezuelans as the equipment is there from our end," he stated.
However, the construction of a plant for the production of Kalashnikov rifles in Venezuela was suspended in 2014. Later, delivery dates were postponed and the general contractor in charge of constructing the plan was replaced.
A factory for the production of AK ammunition is also under construction in Venezuela.
Recently, Russia presented Afghanistan with 10,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles and millions of rounds of ammunition. According to Afghan officials, "this gift holds evidence for a strong friendship between the two nations."