Russia's nascent small-arms holding Kalashnikov Concern is in negotiations with Italy's Beretta on the establishment of joint ventures in Russia, a senior government official said Thursday.
Beretta, which also owns the Benelli and Tikka brands, is in talks with Kalashikov Concern on setting up a joint venture to manufacture hunting and sporting weapons, said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who oversees the defense industry.
If that bears fruit, it could possibly lead to cooperation in military small arms at a later date, Rogozin said at the international Weapons and Hunting 2013 exhibition in Moscow.
"If all goes well … we should expect co-production of tactical, that is, combat weapons," he said.