Mikhail Kalashnikov

Mikhail Kalashnikov was a self-taught inventor who designed the AK-47, the globally popular assault rifle that became the standard weapon for many armies and guerrilla movements.

Inventor

November 10, 1919

December 23, 2013

94

Mikhail Kalashnikov, a self-taught Russian military engineer and inventor, is best known for designing the AK-47, a widely used assault rifle across the globe. This creation became the standard weapon for the Soviet Army and continues to be a fundamental firearm for various armies and guerrilla movements. Kalashnikov also contributed to the development of other firearms, such as the AKM, AK-74, and PK machine gun, earning him numerous awards and honors in the military industry. As a public figure in Russia, he held various government positions and promoted his products both domestically and internationally. However, Kalashnikov expressed remorse for the pain and suffering caused by his invention in a letter to the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 94.