Kalashnikov Concern, the Russian defense manufacturer known for its iconic AK rifles, will supply 50 new AK-12 assault rifles to Armenia, according to a report by Kommersant newspaper on Thursday.
“The contract is signed, we are now preparing a small batch that will include around 50 assault rifles. They will be tested and viewed,” the chief executive officer of Kalashnikov Concern Vladimir Dmitryev told Kommersant.
According to Dmitryev, Armenia will be the first foreign country to buy the AK-12 assault rifles.
In August, Armenia’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Artstrun Hovannisyan announced that an Armenian company Royalsys Engineering signed a manufacturing license contract with Karashnikov to produce AK-12 and AK-15 rifles in Armenia.
Photographs posted on Hovannisyan’s Facebook page showed that Armenia’s Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan attended the signing ceremony in Moscow.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Thursday’s announcement was part of the August deal with Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov Concern opened an official representation in Yerevan in 2014. At the time it was announced that an agreement between Russia and Armenia allowed Armenian and Russian defense companies to supply each other with equipment, assembly parts and other materials needed for the production, modernization and repair of various weapons.
NOW WE ARE TALKING!!!!!! KHRIMYAN HAYREEG SAID PAPER LADEL IS NO GOOD!!!!!! ARMENIA NEEDS METAL LADEL WHICH HE MEANS WEAPONS!!!!!!! STRONG ARMENIA!!!!!!! INVEST IN MILITARY , EDUCATION,, AND SCIENCE!!!!!!!! ALSO STAY CHRISTIAN!!!!!
Only 50? Must be a very hot commodity. They’ve been around since 2011, surely they’re already in the hands of third world despots.
50 are initially used in trial runs, and what part of Armenia being the first nation to receive them did you not understand? “Third world despots”? Kalashnikov has proven itself superior time and time again. What can you offer an over priced, inferior export U.S made AR15? Armenia as a traditional neighbor and partner will continue doing work with Russia irrespective of your subversion.
Thank you Boris!
Wrong. AK 12 finished the design in 2016, production commenced in October 2017 it was introduced into the Russian armed forces in 2018.
50 rifles is on trial. The fact that AK12 and AK15 will also be produced in Armenia is a very good news….finally.
By the way, one of the reasons for the slow process of the production of the AK12 is the glut of AK 47 (brand new in the millions)in Russia, they are still in circulation within the Russian armed forces. The army is in no hurry to “waste” those rifles. So, the fact that Armenia is slated to producing these weapons are a sign of certain “urgency” on the part of Russia to prop up the weapons intended for the use of those weapons by Armenia, ostensibly on the front line. Russia could have easily forced those “new” AK 47s on Armenia before switching to the ultra light and very deadlyAK12 which is regarded as competing with NATO rifles. Is this the “Pashinyan” effect? who knows…let’s hope so.
So What????
Tune in next week, when “Mother Russia” will announce the supply of 20000 of these to Azerbaijan instantly.
Do you Russamol Armenians seriously believe “we are special” for “Mother Russia”? Keep dreaming…