1. Beyond the Kalashnikov: Small Arms Production, Exports, and Stockpiles in the Russian Federation
- Author:
- Anna Matveeva, Maria Haug, and Maxim Pyadushkin
- Publication Date:
- 08-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Small Arms Survey
- Abstract:
- This paper analyzes various aspects of the small arms issue in the Russian Federation. There are a number of reasons why a specific study of Russian small arms issues is helpful for policy-makers and researchers interested in small arms and light weapons (SALW). Russia is one of the world's major producers and exporters of SALW. The most successful and famous military assault rifle, the Kalashnikov, originated in the former Soviet Union. While the original rifle is no longer produced in Russia, its derivatives are still in production. The Russian Federation is also a country dealing with internal problems where the availability of small arms exacerbates the situation. These include regions of conflict, such as Chechnya, or problems of crime and personal security in big cities such as Moscow. Various methods have been used to retrieve illegally held small arms from Russian society, including regional buy-back programmes.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, International Relations, and Arms Control and Proliferation
- Political Geography:
- Russia and Soviet Union