Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said the Kalashnikov rifles manufacturing unit launched here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will bolster Indias defence potential besides creating employment.In his message read out at the unveiling ceremony of the Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Limited unit in Amethi, Putin stressed decades of military and technical cooperation between the two countries and pointed to the setting up of around 170 military and industrial facilities in India with assistance from Russia."The Indian defence-industrial sector will have the opportunity to fulfill the needs of national security agencies in this category of small arms, resting upon advanced Russian technologies," said Putin."I am convinced that commissioning of the new enterprise will contribute to stronger defence potential of India, to further advance the scientific and industrial basis of the national economy, will be instrumental in terms of creating new jobs for qualified work force, and will provide an impetus to professional education and personnel training," he said.The Indo-Russian joint venture will produce the latest series of the iconic Kalashnikov rifles.Putin said the plant itself will become another "symbol of friendship and constructive cooperation between our two countries".