\Chief of Staff Nikolai Makarov told Russian media that the military had too many weapons in its stores.

The new model should be completed by the end of the year.

Decision News Army is said to be from the gun designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, now 91

"We do not take ourselves saying," an anonymous member of his family told the Russian daily Izvestia.

"It could kill him."

"Too '

Kalashnikov, instantly recognizable, known for durability, and some consider a classic design, is said to be the most produced rifle in the world.

The services sector in Russia since 1940, has been copied by manufacturers all over the world.

He has gone through several versions, from the original AK-47 - AK stands for "automatic Kalashnikov" - the AKM and, more recently, the AK 74.

General Makarov told rifle stocks over the army's needs "several times".

A spokesman for the promoter of the rifle, Izhmash plant in central Russia, told the newspaper Izvestia that a new model would be ready for the show later this year.

The plant will seek to increase their exports and accelerate the hunting rifle production, meanwhile, added.