The iconic AK-47 rifle will be manufactured in south Florida, moving production from Tullytown, Pennsylvania.
The assault rifles have been made in the United States, following Kalashnikov USA being forced to cut ties with its Russian parent company. Kalashnikov USA has “light manufacturing” approval and licencing from Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives to do so.
Sky News and others report that 2014 sanctions have banned US businesses from dealing with eight Russian arms companies, following the Russian annexation of Crimea.
UPI reports that the weapons will be sold around the US, and the licencing doesn’t allow ammunition manufacturing.
The Russian semi-automatic weapon was first designed in 1946 and is the world’s most popular assault rifle. It was first made in 1947, referenced in its name, the Avtomat Kalashnikova 47.