Kalashnikov gunning for Europe?
Kalashnikov is probably the best known name in the small arms sector with their AK47 and now this Russian company is moving into the small military and workboat sectors. The company, which is part of the state corporation Rostec, has acquired a controlling (51 per cent) stake in the Euroyachting Rybinskaya Shipyard company.
In addition to Euroyachting, Kalashnikov has also purchased a similar stake in Zala Aero, a maker of UAVs and drones.
“The decision to purchase a majority stake in Zala Aero and Euro-yachting is to widen our product line and develop new sectors of our market” said the chief executive of Kalashnikov Concern, Aleksey Krivoruchko. “The acquisition is part of the company’s strategy for corporate development through to 2020”.
Euroyachting is an important builder of fast patrol boats on the military side and craft such as fireboats and harbour patrol craft on the commercial side. One of the latest additions to their range was a 17 metre patrol boat capable of 45 knots which was designed mainly for operation on rivers and canals.
According to Krivoruchko, the controlling interest in the Euroyachting shipyard will allow Kalashnikov to carry out turnkey developments covering a range of products and the boat building will be developed for the mass production of military and civilian designs. These craft will be built primarily for counter-terrorism operations and patrolling as well as for the transportation and landing of troops, and fire support. For the latter a new range of fast landing craft will be developed and there are plans for extending the range of search and rescue vessels. Euroyachting will also develop a range of leisure and passenger carrying craft which will be marketing in Europe. The company will also develop lifetime support programmes for their vessels.
By Dag Pike
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