Kalashnikov sets its sights on boating industry
Motorboat & Yachting: Russian small arms manufacturer Kalashnikov has bought a controlling stake in boating firm Euro-yachting. Having conquered the market for assault rifles, it seems that Kalashnikov Concern now has the boating world in its sights.
The Russian small arms manufacturer has bought a 51% controlling stake in local boating firm Euro-yachting. The company builds landing craft and fast patrol boats (such as the one pictured above) and its latest addition was a 17m model capable of a top speed of 45 knots.
Kalashnikov Concern hopes to expand the Euro-yachting range and develop a series of high-tech military landing craft.
Aleksey Krivoruchko, chief executive of Kalashnikov Concern, said: “The decision to purchase a majority stake in Euro-yachting is to widen our product line and develop new sectors of our market.”
At this point it’s not clear whether Kalashnikov will try to influence the design team at Euro-yachting, but if they do you can be sure that the resultant boats will be rugged and reliable. Rumours of a 47ft model remain unsubstantiated.
