Russia slams Pakistan for producing counterfeit Kalashnikov

Russia’s delegation to the IDEF-2009 international defense industry fair being held in Turkey has complained that counterfeit weapons are being displayed, RIA Novosti reports on Tuesday. According the chief delegate, Anatoly Aksenov, Russia plans to exert pressure on all countries, displaying unlicensed copies of Russian weaponry.

The delegation alleges that counterfeit RPG-7 grenade launchers, 30 mm artillery shells and the world famous Kalashnikov submachine guns were being exhibited at the Pakistani booth.

“We have visited the Pakistani booth,” Aksenov said, adding that Russia has requested that the counterfeit weaponry be removed from the exposition.

“Russia will ask IDEF-2009’s administration to impose sanctions on Pakistan’s delegation if the counterfeit weapon is not removed from the booth by tomorrow,” Anatoly Aksenov said. He also highlighted that exhibiting Russian weapon without complying licenses “is piracy and we will struggle against it.”

According to the data of Russia’s state owned weapon company Rosoboronexport, Russia lost $2 billion due to counterfeit Kalashnikov sales in 2007.