In Afghanistan, most Afghan civilians carry military weapons. People call it ''The African Credit Card" and the ''Ten Dollar Weapon of Mass Destruction," and it is memorialized and idolized by the soldiers, terrorists, insurgents, and even children that hold it high in the face of wars of rebellion and religion, for everyday protection and to just survive. The many variations of the Kalashnikov (AK-47, AK-74, AKM, etc.) represent the most recognizable weapons in the world. The AK-47 Russian assault rifle was used by the Viet Cong. The AK-47 has come to symbolize armed struggle and national liberation, and insurrection and political violence. The legendary assault rifle has made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the most widely spread weapon in the world, with 100 million Kalashnikov rifles currently in use. Anyone who has ever watched a conflict over the last half century should be familiar with the unmistakable image of the AK-47, and anyone who has ever fought in a war over the last half century is familiar with the easily recognized ak, ak, ak of an AK-47.ĭurability, low production cost, availability and ease of use are the features, which assured the Kalashnikov AK-47’s global success. By one estimate, as of 1990, more than 70 million Kalashnikov automatic rifles of various designs had been produced.
Estimates are that at least 9 million and possibly up to 100 million AK's have been produced. The AK-47 was first fielded with Russian troops in 1949, 13 years before the US issued its true first assault rifle (the AR-15) to the USAF and 18 years before the AR-15/M16 is adopted by the US Army. The AK-47 is the most commonly encountered assault rifle on the planet.