Russian gun manufacturer Kalashnikov raised eyebrows earlier this week when it unveiled the result of its slick corporate makeover.
An accompanying statement says that its flagship product, the AK-47 has helped: "Freedom movements in Africa, Asia and Latin America [who] could at last fight back against professional colonial armies [and] gave them the chance to demand rights and achieve justice. This is a weapon which helped people defend their families and futures, and demand the right to a peaceful future.”
Its logo, "Weapon of Peace", appears in the company's new marketing videos, which look like mini action movies.
This one shows a group of solders with Russian flags on their uniforms, getting kitted up in the brand's gear. It then cuts away as the troops open fire on a 'terrorist' target.
Prior to decommissioning, the Provisional IRA made extensive use of the firearm. In 1987 a shipment containing 1,000 AK-47s sent from Libya, and intended for use in Northern Ireland, were intercepted by French authorities. The shipment also contained 50 ground-to-air missiles and two tonnes of Semtex.
When US special forces killed Osama Bin Laden, they reported that they found an AK-47 in the room where he died.
The Kalashnikov brand includes the assault rifle as well as hunting and sports weaponry. The company claims to make up 95 percent of the Russian arms market.
The rifle was invented by Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1947 - hence the name AK-47. He passed away in December of 2013 at the age of 94.
