Seventeen NATO countries will be equipped with the new Russian-made shotgun rifle Vepr-12 1310127.

"The Vepr 12 semi-automatic shotgun will be delivered to the armed forces and other services to ten member countries of the Alliance," according to a statement release by Rostekhnologii.

The German company Schmeisser GmbH, partner of Molot factory will be in charge to promote Vepr 12 in Europe, and leads discussion with NATO countries members since early 2012. During a demonstration of the shotgun held last September in Germany, the Bundeswehr officers were trained with Vepr-12 to take the control of a fortified building. NATO has agreed to acquire Vepr-12 following this demonstration.

The Molot factory of Viatskie Poliany (Kirov region of Russia) has created several versions of Vepr 12 rifle that will be supplied to NATO after the necessary formalities.

The Vepr 12 shotgun has been developed as a direct competitor to "tactical" versions of the Saiga 12 shotgun. The key niches for Vepr 12 are sport shooting under IPSC rules, as well as use for civilian home defense and for security purposes. Vepr 12 is produced by "Molot" factory, which also makes RPK-74 machine guns and Vepr brand semi-automatic hunting rifles. All "Vepr" brand rifles and shotguns are broadly based on the RPK-74 light machinegun designs, adapted for civilian purpose and appropriate ammunition.

Russia already exports the Vepr 12 to many countries including Germany, Italy and France, according the Rostekhnologii statement.

Molot factory is currently designing the new Vepr 15 shotgun in cooperation with the German company Waffen Schumacher.