By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia and Cuba plan to sign a contract to build an assembly line in Cuba for production of ammunition for Kalashnikov and other assault rifles as part of an understanding to modernise Soviet-era military equipment and train Cuban military personnel.
A source from the ministry of industry and trade said the assembly line for 7.62 mm ammunition rounds used in Kalashnikov assault rifles and other Russia-made rifles will be built at Cuba’s Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara military plant, the Kommersant business daily reported.
The source said Russia’s state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport has already prepared a contract, which includes the license and technology transfer. He said Russia was hoping to receive a contract in the future on a complete overhaul of rifle ammunition production facilities in Cuba.
The ammunition plants were built in the 1970s-1980s with the help of Soviet specialists.
Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov said during a visit to Cuba in 2009 that modernisation of the Soviet-made military equipment and training of Cuban military personnel will be the focus of Russia-Cuba military cooperation in the future.