MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. Lebedev pistols are being supplied in large numbers to units of the Russian Armed Forces this year, Kalashnikov Group CEO Alan Lushnikov said in an interview with TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov.

"Although the Defense Ministry is already purchasing these [Lebedev] pistols, we are adapting them to military requirements and will be putting them into service. They have found their role within our armed forces. Not only are they part of the awards inventory, but they are already being supplied to the troops on a large scale this year," said the Kalashnikov CEO.

Lushnikov noted that the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (part of the Kalashnikov Group) is the only large-scale producer of pistols in the country. The plant manufactures the legendary Makarov pistol, the Yarygin pistol, as well as its newest line--the compact Lebedev pistol, which is in service with the Interior Ministry, and the 16-round modular Lebedev pistol, used by the Russian National Guard (Rosgvardiya).