Machine guns of former allies Review of assault rifles of Eastern European NATO member countries

Among the many options for equipping soldiers is an effective and easy-to-use automatic weapon. To be able to defend or destroy your enemies, you need reliable, comfortable and deadly vehicles. Several hundred different models of slot machines have been developed around the world. All of them have disadvantages and advantages, some are no longer used and belong to collectors. To find out which slot is best, we have created the world's best slot machines.

Ferfrans HVLAR

So far, this machine is in the hands of American engineers and continues to be improved and improved. The main advantage of the weapon is the absence of recoil when firing. Over time, after its modification is completed, the Ferfrans HVLAR will probably become the best light weapon in the world in its class. The firing range of an assault rifle does not exceed 500 meters, since the assault rifle is designed for combat in urban environments. Its weight is 4.5 kg and its rate of fire reaches 700 rounds per minute. Experts decided to list this weapon in the ranking of the best assault rifles in the world only in tenth position.

Rifle "Armalit" AR-18


Bearing in mind the wide distribution of the 5.56 mm caliber, Armalit decided that a simple weapon was needed for such a cartridge. Because The AR-I5 was a high-quality weapon; it could not be manufactured without sophisticated machine tools, which are not available everywhere. Thus, the need for a model that could be easily and simply manufactured in third world countries was realized, and a thorough revision of the AR-15 design was undertaken. The result was the AR-18, which is effectively an AR-15 adapted to the now well-developed steel stamping technology...

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M16

This rifle was adopted by the US armed forces in the middle of the last century. Modernized and modified versions of assault rifles are actively used by US troops and units even in our time. The target firing range is 800 m, while the bullet flies at a speed of 900 meters per second. The relatively small weight of the assault rifle, 3.4 kg, makes it easy to move with it on the battlefield. Previously, many experts recognized this weapon as the best machine gun. In any modern war involving the US Army, its soldiers were armed with M16 assault rifles.

5.56 rifle "Individual weapon" IW XL70E3


Shortly after the end of World War II, the British Army began efforts to create a new assault rifle chambered for the new 7mm compact cartridge, which was undoubtedly inspired by the German Sturmgewehr 44 design with the “short” 7.92mm cartridge. The rifle, commonly known as the EM2, was tested and was ready for service in 1951 with the designation "Rifle, 7mm, Number 9". But its caliber did not meet the NATO standard, whose members are obliged to comply with it. The Americans could not accept the “intermediate”...

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FN F2000

The weapon has a non-standard shape. Design and development began in 2001 in a Belgian company. These automatic weapons were used by special forces to perform special operations. The peculiarity of the machine is that it can be used by both left-handed and right-handed people. The presented weapon weighs 3.8 kg. The vehicle was successfully used during the war in Afghanistan. It is currently in service with many European countries, as well as India and Pakistan. The muzzle velocity is about 850 meters per second, and the aiming range is 500 meters. These characteristics have allowed the FN F2000 to reach the top among other best machines in the world.

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HK416

This weapon, called HK416, was produced in 2004. Fairly low recoil, good ergonomics and ease of use in field conditions are the main advantages of the weapon. In addition, versatility is taken into account, as soldiers can use it in a variety of combat conditions. Possibility of aimed shooting at a distance of up to 600 m. Rate of fire - 850 rounds per minute. The main drawback of the design of the HK416 assault rifle is that the barrel overheats during prolonged shooting, and the weapon begins to suffer from this. In many countries, a machine gun is the main weapon of special forces. Among all the representatives of the top, HK416 is considered one of the most popular on the modern market.

Steyr AUG A3

In the ranking of the best assault rifles in the world, this rifle is in sixth position. The weapons manufacturer is an Austrian company that has been successfully operating since the 70s of the last century. Since its first development, this machine has undergone significant changes and modifications many times. The weight of the rifle without an installed magazine with cartridges is about 4 kg. It is actively used by the armies of France and Morocco. It is also in service with many other Veprevskaya countries. Among other modifications of this rifle, experts note the high reliability of the Steyr AUG A3.

Universal 5.56 mm AUG rifle


The Steyr AUG rifle (ALJG is short for “army universal rifle”) is one of the most unusual in appearance modern assault rifles. It has a bullpup design, with the trigger in front of the magazine, making it a short and compact weapon. The unusual appearance is enhanced by the widespread use of nylonite and other non-metallic materials in construction. The only metal parts left are the barrel and the receiver with the internal mechanism (the receiver is made...

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AS "Val"

The weapon was created by Soviet engineers in the 1980s and is still used by various special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the FSB. One of the most important advantages of a shotgun is its noiselessness. It can be easily disassembled and stored in cases or small wallets. AS Val is also included in the ranking of the best assault rifles in the world due to the ability to use different types of cartridges. You can install a night vision device. The machine's own weight is only 2.5 kg. The main disadvantages are the short aiming range, which is only 400 m, as well as the box magazine with a capacity of 20 rounds. The weapon was actively used during two Chechen wars.

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TAR-21(Tavor)

This rifle is produced by Israeli manufacturers. Durability, reliability, effective protection against mechanical influences, as well as the ability to be used by both right- and left-handers are the main advantages. In addition, it is possible to install a grenade launcher and a night vision sight. If desired, a muffler can be installed.

Thanks to its thoughtful design and high ergonomics, a fighter armed with the TAR-21 will be much more likely to remain undetected by the enemy than when using other weapons. In one minute, the machine can fire about 900 shots. Weight 3.27 kg. The standard magazine holds up to 30 rounds, and when using a high-capacity magazine, up to 100 rounds. This model was developed in 1993, but was adopted only in 2001. Tavor is still successfully used in various armies and units around the world.

FN SCAR-H

The assault rifle is an assault rifle and was created jointly by Belgian and American companies. Of all the automatic weapons used by the US Army, the FN SCAR-H rifle won the title of best assault rifle of 2014. Minimal recoil, comfortable operating conditions and reliability are the main advantages of the rifle. Deservedly included in the top three best cars in the world for 2016. The weight of the machine is 3.19 kg. 625 shots can be fired in one minute. The maximum target shooting range is 900 meters. The magazine holds up to 30 shots. So far, the vehicle is used exclusively by the US military. Currently, the FN SCAR-H is considered one of the best modern and expensive cars.

FA Mas Rifle


In the period before and immediately after World War II, the French military industry lagged behind other countries in the development of small arms, but the creation of the FA MAS assault rifle more than covered the gap. The FA MAS is a modern and efficient small rifle, another example of the compactness achieved by using a bullpup design. But even among weapons with such a layout, the FA MAS stands out for its small size and can be considered one of the smallest and most compact modern assault rifles. FA MAS accepted as...

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Bushmaster ACR 3

This is a high-end adaptive automatic rifle created by an American company. The developers of the assault rifle decided to design a weapon based on the M16 rifle. But over time, they created a separate full automatic rifle with its own design features. On top, a small part of the receiver is made of aluminum, and at the bottom, impact-resistant plastic is used. To increase the reliability of the handle, manufacturers made the surface of the body rough.

All vehicle controls are conveniently located, providing easy access to them, which in turn allows the fighter to take a combat stance in the shortest possible time. The Bushmaster ACR 3 barrel is designed similarly to the barrel of sniper rifles. This is what allows you to quickly replace them. Rifle weight 3.18 kg. Accurate shooting is guaranteed at a distance of up to 500 meters. The magazine holds 30 rounds. The main disadvantage is that the cost is too high compared to weapons of the same class.

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AK-12

Of all the weapons in its respective category, the best assault rifle in the world is the AK-12. Specialists from the Kalashnikov Concern and the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant took part in its creation. It has a plastic butt in its design, due to which the overall weight is significantly reduced. The charging mechanism can be installed on one side or the other, which is convenient for both right-handers and left-handers. Without charger, total weight is 3.2 kg. A regular magazine holds up to 60 rounds, a drum magazine – up to 95. The sighting range is up to 500 meters. The device fires up to 650 shots in one minute. A unique feature of the machine is the ability to perform all the necessary actions: move the safety, open the bolt and change the magazine with one hand.

The development of the weapon began in 2011, and four years later it began to be used by the Russian troops along with the new “Ratnik” equipment. Despite the top position in the ranking, many military personnel were skeptical about this development of events. Although critics and experts are confident that the AK-12 is the best Russian-made assault rifle at the moment.

Automatic Vz58


At first glance, the Czech assault rifle Vz.58 is very similar to the Soviet AK-47, but this impression is deceptive, because their internal structure is different. The Vz.58 has a gas-operated automatic mechanism, but to lock the barrel, the bolt is tilted instead of rotated, like the AK-47 family. The trigger mechanism is also different - it uses flat springs instead of coiled ones. Those. in general - a completely different mechanism. Why Czechoslovakia decided to release its own design when there is an AK-47 accepted by all members of the Warsaw Pact remains...

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+ AK-400

Kalashnikov assault rifle. This so-called “400th series” was offered to the special forces of the FSB and SBP, which ensure the security of the Russian President, at the end of 2015. AK-400 is a series of the latest adaptive automatic weapons. You can install any viewfinder, pen, target designator or flashlight on this device. And because it is adaptive, its size is adjusted according to the physical characteristics of the fighter. The developers claim that the AK-400 is superior to the legendary AK-74 and the modern AK-12 in accuracy and precision.

The “400” series uses various types of ammunition, both modern 5.45 mm and “Soviet” 7.62 mm. Machine length 940 mm. Weight is just over 3 kg. Among the new products is the “cut-off” mode, in which 3 bullets will be fired at the target per press of the trigger. In addition, the AK-400 is equipped with a Picatinny rail and a telescopic buttstock.

Assault rifles and machine guns of the world

Home | Weapons | Assault rifles

This section presents the tactical and technical characteristics of assault rifles (machine guns), their brief descriptions and clickable photographs with comments; most articles contain video materials on the presented samples of assault rifles around the world.

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Argentina
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Great Britain
  • Germany
  • Denmark
  • Dominican Republic
  • Israel
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Canada
  • China
  • Mexico
  • Poland
  • Russia/USSR
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • USA
  • Taiwan
  • Türkiye
  • Ukraine
  • Finland
  • France
  • Croatia
  • Czech
  • Switzerland
  • Sweden
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Japan

During World War II, close-quarter fire density was achieved with submachine guns when they were available. However, combat experience has revealed the need for a new type of small arms that would make it possible to reliably hit targets not only at short but also at medium ranges. A pistol cartridge could not be used in such a weapon because of its low power, but a rifle cartridge was not suitable either, again due to its power, but it was already too high. The solution to the situation was an intermediate cartridge between a pistol and a rifle and the weapon in which this cartridge is used. This is how a new type of individual small automatic weapon appeared, designed to destroy enemy personnel in close combat and capable of creating a high density of fire - an assault rifle.

The assault rifle is the main individual small arms weapon of modern infantry. Currently, assault rifles have calibers ranging from 5.45 mm to 7.62 mm. The capacity of modern magazines ranges from 20 to 30 or more rounds. Assault rifles can fire both in fully automatic mode - in bursts and in single shots, while some models have a firing mode in short bursts with a cutoff of 2 or 3 shots. The effective firing range of assault rifles averages up to 600 m. Almost all assault rifles have the ability to mount a bayonet, install optical, night or collimator sights, as well as mount an under-barrel grenade launcher of 30 to 40 mm caliber. Many models also allow you to fire rifle grenades, which are placed on the barrel and fired with a blank or even live cartridge.

Next, you need to decide on some points of terminology. The term “automatic carbine” is the most technically correct in relation to such models as the German Stg.44 and the Soviet . This term characterizes an automatic rifle with reduced weight and dimensions. For example, the French Ribeirol automatic carbine Carabine Mitrailleuse 1918 caliber 8x35 SR and the German MKb.42(W) from Walther for the first adopted and mass-produced intermediate cartridge 7.92x33, developed by Polte. Examples of automatic rifles chambered for a rifle cartridge are the American Browning BAR M1918 caliber 7.62x63 and the Soviet ABC-36 caliber 7.62x54R.

The term “assault rifle” (German: Sturmgewehr or English: Assault rifle), introduced by Adolf Hitler as the name of the Haenel automatic carbine designed by Hugo Schmeisser, which was later given the designation Stg.44, initially had a propaganda meaning, but later it became widespread distribution in various states in relation to the entire family of individual small arms automatic weapons chambered for intermediate cartridges, including such models as M16A4, HK G36, Beretta ARX-160, SIG SG-550, MSBS Radon and FN SCAR. The term “machine gun,” introduced in the USSR and used to designate the Fedorov automatic rifle and even the PPSh-41 submachine gun, is in circulation only in Russia and the so-called “post-Soviet space.” At the same time, along with the designation of weapons, in colloquial speech this term is applied to such electronic-mechanical devices as a coffee machine and a gaming machine, while the term “automatic carbine” much more accurately corresponds and describes a certain class of automatic weapons.

The term “automatic” itself was introduced in the 1920s. Russian gunsmith Frolov to designate “machine gun carbines” designed by Fedorov. Initially, in the post-war years, there were still differences between an assault rifle (automatic carbine) and an assault rifle, if we consider this issue in relation to the dimensions of the weapon and the types of cartridges used. So, if in the USSR it was an AK chambered for close combat, maneuverable enough for close combat, chambered for the 7.62×39 intermediate cartridge, then NATO adopted assault rifles chambered for the 7.62×51 rifle type cartridge, which had a large length and weight, such as the FN FAL And . Powerful and long-range, but bulky weapons could not replace a submachine gun in close combat, for example, in street battles or in dense thickets. Therefore, in the West, submachine guns lasted in the armed forces for quite a long time until they were completely replaced by assault rifles chambered for the small-caliber intermediate cartridge 5.56×45.

Modern assault rifles, according to the current classification in Russia, belong to the second generation of automatic rifles, which are individual small automatic weapons designed for firing in bursts. Generations are divided according to the cartridge used. Assault rifles chambered for powerful rifle-type cartridges, for example 7.62×51 NATO, belong to the first generation. It also includes such models as the Belgian FN FAL assault rifle, the American M14 and AR-10, and the German . The second generation includes assault rifles that use “intermediate” cartridges - 7.62x39, 5.45x39 and 5.56x45 NATO. Weapons chambered for an intermediate cartridge have the following advantages: less recoil force; ease of automatic fire control; smaller weapon weight; less weight of ammunition carried by a fighter.

The world's first automatic rifle was created in Russia during the First World War - it was a Fedorov assault rifle chambered for a 6.5 mm rifle-type cartridge. However, this weapon did not become widespread for a number of reasons. The second step towards the development of machine guns was made in the Third Reich, during the Second World War. By 1944, the StG.44 assault rifle was developed there for the 7.92x33 intermediate cartridge. But the truly widespread assault rifle and one of the most famous and popular in the world was the Soviet Kalashnikov AK assault rifle. Then, in 1963, the United States adopted the M16 rifle chambered in a new small-caliber and low-pulse cartridge with the military designation M193 or 5.56x45, developed by Sierra Bullets based on the .222 Remington hunting cartridge. One variant of this cartridge, created in Belgium in the 1980s, with a heavy bullet, under the designation SS109, was adopted as the standard 5.56 mm NATO cartridge. However, this was nothing new.

Talented Russian gunsmith V.G. Fedorov began work much earlier on weapons chambered for a cartridge of reduced caliber and power than standard rifle cartridges for bolt-action rifles, self-loading rifles, light and heavy machine guns. Fedorov deduced a pattern of caliber reduction when switching to a qualitatively new weapon with new ballistics requirements. The 5.56-mm cartridge made it possible to increase the firing efficiency at ranges up to 300-400 meters, with a slight decrease in the target range, since a bullet with a higher initial speed had a flatter flight trajectory at these firing distances. After the adoption of the M16 assault rifle chambered for this cartridge into service by the US Armed Forces, the USSR developed its own small-caliber intermediate cartridge 5.45x39 and a weapon system for it - the AK-74 automatic carbine (machine gun) and the RPK-74 light machine gun.

Assault rifle cartridges are available with various types of bullets. Fire from this weapon is carried out at various targets, including light shelters and enemy equipment, and therefore its ammunition includes cartridges with an ordinary bullet with a steel core, with tracer bullets, with armor-piercing incendiary and other special bullets. The intermediate cartridge bullet must have good stopping and penetrating effects. The combination of a high stopping effect of a bullet with a penetrating one has become most relevant with the large-scale introduction of various types of body armor into the Armed Forces around the world. Bullets of modern intermediate cartridges penetrate steel helmets at ranges of up to 800 m, body armor of 2-3 protection classes - up to 400-500 m.

Currently, in the development of assault rifles there is a desire to maximize the improvement of a number of their characteristics, which are extremely important for combat effectiveness. Among them are ergonomics, modularity, accuracy and accuracy of fire, service life, the ability to mount a wide variety of types of sights and additional equipment.

Improving ergonomics is necessary so that a fighter can fire the first shot as quickly as possible or transfer fire to another target, with the maximum probability of hitting a point target with the first shot or the first short burst, and carry the weapon as long and comfortably as possible. This is achieved by introducing into the design of the weapon adjustable elements of the butt and its length, comfortable ergonomic handles, improved balance, a more convenient location of the translator-safety, more effective sighting devices, as well as reducing the size and weight of the weapon itself without compromising shooting accuracy and firepower.

The modularity of a modern assault rifle is necessary due to the constantly changing battle conditions in various conflicts and during special operations. Modular weapons equipped with standard Picatinny mounts allow you to install a variety of sights - from optical and night sights to red dot sights and laser rangefinders, as well as attach a front grip handle, bipod and tactical flashlight to the weapon. In addition, modern assault rifles, such as the FN SCAR-H chambered for 7.62x51 NATO, after replacing the necessary components - bolt, barrel, lower receiver with magazine receiver, can use other cartridges - 7.62x39 M43 and 6.8 mm Remington SPC. Barrel replacement requires a minimum of tools and can be accomplished in a few minutes in the field.

The accuracy and accuracy of fire in the newest assault rifles are increased not only by improving the quality of the barrels, but also by a set of measures, including the use of collimator and optical sights of low magnification and the same improvement of ergonomics by introducing butts adjustable in length and height. Increased service life is achieved by using modern materials and alloys created using the latest achievements in this field. Most modern assault rifles have the ability to mount various types of optical, night and red dot sights, laser rangefinders and laser designators, in addition to iron sights. Some examples, such as the Steyr AUG, HK G36 and FN F2000, are equipped with low-power optical sights as the main sighting devices. Sights and equipment of various types are mounted on weapons using standard Picatinny rail mounts. In addition to various types of sights, modern assault rifles can be equipped with front grips, bipods and tactical lights. Plus, many front handles are designed as folding bipods, which allows the shooter to quickly adapt his weapon for targeted shooting from a rest.

The latest assault rifles have versatility in terms of handling by both right-handed and left-handed fighters, which is realized by the ability to quickly move the cocking handle to both the left and right side of the weapon, as well as by placing the magazine release button on more than one , and on both sides of the weapon. Modern assault rifles are equipped with a bolt stop mechanism that stops the bolt in the open position when all the cartridges in the magazine are used up. The bolt stop levers are placed so that the shooter can control them regardless of the grip of the weapon. Reducing the weight of weapons is achieved by the widespread use of composite polymers and light alloys, in particular in the production of receivers and stocks.

Disputes about the adoption of a small-caliber intermediate machine gun cartridge into service in the Soviet Union are still ongoing. Opponents of the small-caliber cartridge blame it for the supposedly small stopping effect and penetrating power of the bullet, speaking about the superiority of the old 7.62×39 cartridge in these qualities. In local conflicts, indeed, old AKM 7.62-mm calibers are often preferred to weapons chambered for small-caliber cartridges, since cartridges with a wide range of bullet types are available and produced in large quantities all over the world - from armor-piercing and tracer to armor-piercing incendiary. While for the AK-74 and other 5.45-mm caliber models the choice of cartridge types is limited, and modern 5.45x39 cartridges under the designation 7N22 with an armor-piercing bullet are supplied mainly only to special-purpose units.

However, the use of larger-caliber weapons is justified only at short shooting distances and in street battles, when clearing buildings, since 7.62 mm bullets have a less flat flight path than small-caliber and high-velocity 5.45 mm bullets. It is much easier to hit a target with a 5.45 mm caliber weapon, and this is a very tangible advantage. Moreover, when firing from automatic 5.45-mm carbines, it is much easier to control the weapon if the fire is fired in bursts, which is especially important during urban battles at short and ultra-short distances. But for these purposes, the most suitable are Russian models chambered for 9x39 (SP-5, SP-6, PAB-9), such as the new small-sized assault rifle SR-3PM, 9A-91 and AK-9. This weapon has the ability to hit an enemy protected by NIB or light shelters at a distance of urban combat up to 400 meters (in practice - up to 200 meters), while having a high stopping effect of the bullet, which is extremely important at extremely short distances. But such models only complement the main model adopted for service.

Assault rifles are the most widely used small arms in modern armed forces, and modern individual weapon systems are often automatic-grenade launchers, combining automatic small arms, “artillery” in the form of an under-barrel grenade launcher with a fragmentation shot and an electro-optical system in the form of a daylight/ night television sight, laser rangefinder and ballistic computer, which automatically sets the aiming mark in the lens in accordance with the range to the target, and is also used for programming remote fuses of 20-mm grenades. However, such complexes, although effective, are very expensive weapons, and, moreover, have not yet proven themselves reliable and convenient in real battles. Therefore, at present and in the near future, the improvement of already long-produced and proven assault rifles continues, and work is also underway to create new models based on already familiar design solutions, complemented by the latest developments and the use of the latest materials and production technologies in combination with the above-mentioned modern requirements for this type of small arms.

Currently, there is a need to replace the existing and currently used small-caliber intermediate cartridges due to the insufficient stopping effect of their bullets. One of the promising Russian developments is the latest AK-12 automatic carbine, which combines improved ergonomics, increased shooting accuracy and service life, and also has the ability to mount modern sights and equipment. However, the main caliber will remain the same 5.45x39.

Remington, together with the US Army, due to the insufficient stopping power of the 5.56x45 mm cartridge bullet, has developed a new promising ammunition for assault rifles and automatic carbines. This 6.8 mm caliber cartridge was officially introduced in 2004 as the 6.8 mm Remington SPC. One of its competitors was the 6.5 mm Grendel cartridge, which had better characteristics, but it was not compatible with standard army magazines for the M16 rifle, since it was created on the basis of a wider case of the Soviet 7.62 mm submachine gun cartridge mod. 1943. The 6.8 mm Remington SPC cartridge was created on the basis of the .30 Rem ammunition of the 1906 model. The shoulder angle of the cartridge case was increased, the barrel was shortened and re-crimped to fit the new bullet. The length of the sleeve is 42 mm, the total length of the cartridge is 57 mm. The bullet weight is 7.45 g (115 grains). The main one is a bullet with a hollow head part of the OTM shape (from the English open tip match - open tip, high-precision), having a tapering rear part (English boattail - boat stern) and a trimmed tip of the shell (German Crimprille - notch). In addition to it, bullets without cavity, Sierra-HPBT and Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded are used - the same weight of 7.45 g (115 grains). If it is necessary to convert 5.56 mm assault rifles to a 6.8 mm cartridge, it is only necessary to replace the barrel and the bolt cylinder. The 6.8 mm Remington SPC cartridge immediately began to be actively offered in the United States on the civilian weapons market. The famous American company Barrett, based on the AR-15/M16 rifle, has developed and produces its own weapon chambered for the 6.8 mm Remington SPC cartridge - the Barrett REC7 assault rifle, which is distinguished by excellent quality, shooting accuracy and high reliability.

Assault rifles

  • Austria
  • Brazil
  • Czech
  • South Korea
  • South Africa
  • France
  • USA
  • Singapore
  • Spain
  • Russia/USSR
  • Australia
  • Finland
  • Germany
  • Türkiye
  • Switzerland
  • Denmark
  • Japan
  • Israel
  • Sweden
  • Indonesia
  • Belgium
  • Poland
  • Ukraine
  • Italy
  • Croatia
  • Iran
  • Dominican Republic
  • Mexico
  • Serbia
  • Argentina
  • China
  • Canada
  • Taiwan
  • Great Britain
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