The first AK-74M rifles will be assembled in Azerbaijan by the Russian license in late 2011, Adviser to Azerbaijani Minister of Defence Industry Azad Mammadov said.

"At present, the licensed assembly of AK-74M rifles is under development in accordance with the contract signed with the Russian concern Izhmash. The first rifles assembled by Azerbaijani specialists will be available by late 2011," he told ARMS-TASS correspondent.

The 10-year contract envisages annual production of 12 000 rifles.