10:04am UK, Tuesday February 18, 2003

The man who invented the Kalashnikov automatic rifle is branching out - and hopes to start a business empire making energy drinks, snowboards and aftershave.

Russian inventor Mikhail Kalashnikov has formed an unlikely alliance with a small German company that wants to attach the Kalashnikov brand to a range of ordinary consumer goods.

180-Mikhail Kalashnikov

Kalashnikov cradles AK-47

Reports suggest watches, halogen lamps, pocket-knives and umbrellas are among those items on the "brand" list.

Kalashnikov, 83, has been living on a state pension in a two-room Russian apartment and never saw any royalties on his famous AK-47 assault rifle.

He developed the weapon in 1947 while convalescing from injuries sustained in World War Two.

Venerated as a national hero, he got plenty of medals and honours for the invention. But, living in the Communist Soviet Union, he never saw any financial reward.

German firm Marken Marketing International recently announced a partnership deal with Kalashnikov to begin marketing goods under his name and he acquired a 33% stake in the firm.