Iconic Russian arms maker boosts production

The major Russian arms manufacturer Kalashnikov Group says it has fulfilled its latest state defense order in full and is now looking to ramp up production in 2023, the concern’s president, Alan Lushnikov, announced on Tuesday.

In an interview with the Rossiya 24 TV channel, Lushnikov said that 2022 turned out to be a difficult and challenging year, but was successful nonetheless. He added that next year, aside from focusing on the next defense order, the company plans to expand production of the new Chukavin SVCh sniper rifle – a replacement for the Dragunov SVD – and to develop a new line of tactical-level drones.