Russia's largest arms maker, the Kalashnikov Concern, has diversified from making AK-47s into men's fashion. It will begin selling a new line of military style, military-themed casual clothing and accessories for men at its own store network before the end of this year.

The maker of 95% of all small arms in Russia will produce a "professional clothing line" under the brand "CK" to be sold within Russia. The firm plans to open a network of 60 retail fashion stores throughout the country.

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Kalashnikov also recently unveiled its new CK logo, a red-and-black graphic that represents the letters for Kalashnikov Concern in Cyrillic.  And, yes, CK does remind one of Calvin Klein.

The Kalashnikov Concern has also created two different slogans for its product rebranding. It's now calling its military and civilian firearms as "Weapons of Peace" or "Weapons of the World."

Kalashnikov said its menswear line will capitalize on "the rapid growth of patriotism in Russia related to the theme of war."

"Kalashnikov is a global brand and we rightly believe that clothing and souvenir products with our symbol will be in demand among buyers," said Vladimir Dmitriyev, Kalashnikov's marketing director.

"I do not understand how it could be that we do not have our own line of branded clothing and accessories."

The diversification is being forced on Kalashnikov as it deals with the mounting business challenges created by economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the West. The sanctions prevent Kalashnikov from selling its popular firearms in the West.

Expect chic camos and gun-metal outfits to garb guys sporting AK-47s or hunting and civilian guns under the brands Baikal and Izhmash (sporting rifles) that Kalashnikov also owns.  

Kalashnikov is probably the best known Russian brand on the planet thanks to its ubiquitous AK-47 assault rifle and its variants, the most widely produced automatic firearms in the world.

But doesn't Kalashnikov men's fashion sound, well, unmanly?

TagsKalashnikov Concern, Kalashnikov, AK-47, menswear, Men's Fashion, Vladimir Dmitriyev