Famed AK-47 is Victim of Counterfeiting

Kalashnikov guns were produced for the first time in 1947 and included in the stockpiles of the Soviet Army in 1949.

The Kalashnikov has become the world’s most widely distributed weapon, with some 100 million made in the 60 years since the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle went into serial production.

But only about half are the genuine article. Many countries are producing the weapon without a license.

There are about 30 foreign manufacturers who are currently making Kalashnikovs, and 55 countries use it in their arsenals.

The counterfeit production of Kalashnikovs outside Russia has incurred financial losses, tarnished the brand because of poor quality and dented the country’s prestige abroad.

Russia’s government-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport has faced an uphill battle, losing an estimated $400 million a year from counterfeit Kalashnikov makers.

Venezuela, which has struck a deal to buy 100,000 rifles and produce more under a Russian license, is now the only legitimate license holder.

China became a major customer for Russian weapons after Moscow and Beijing rebuilt their ties in the early 1990s. But the country has reduced purchases of Russian weapons in recent years.

Russia is eager to sign a deal with China to license production of Kalashnikov guns, said Rosoboronexport Director-General Anatoly Isaikin, according to APA reports.

Rosoboronexport is planning to sign new deals for protection of intellectual property, he said.

"Soon new plants will be built in a number of countries to produce the Kalashnikov gun," he said.