The Indian Army is preparing to receive nearly 8,000 AK-203 assault rifles from the Korwa plant in Amethi next month. To date, the Indian Army has acquired 27,000 locally manufactured AK-203 assault rifles through the Indo-Russian joint venture, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL).
India is the first country outside Russia to begin production of the AK-200 series assault rifles. After meeting the Indian Army’s requirements, these rifles may also be supplied to paramilitary forces across the country and potentially exported overseas. In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated a joint plant in Korwa (Amethi), Uttar Pradesh, to manufacture these assault rifles under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. However, production was delayed due to various factors, including the global COVID-19 lockdown, issues related to work share and payments, and the Russia-Ukraine war. Production has now commenced at the Amethi plant. In July 2021, both countries signed a ₹5,000 crore agreement to manufacture over 700,000 AK-203 rifles at the Korwa plant.
Meanwhile, due to the Galwan Valley clash and the dispute with China in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army had to procure around 72,000 SiG Sauer Assault Rifles from the US under the Fast Track Procedure. Additionally, due to production delays at the Korwa plant, the Indian Army purchased 70,000 AK-203 rifles directly off-the-shelf from Russia in 2021.
Why does the Indian Army need these rifles?
As previously reported by Financial Express Online, the Indian Army needs the AK-203 rifle to replace the obsolete INSAS rifle. In the near future, the AK-203 will become the main assault rifle for India. The Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy will require a total of 650,000 assault rifles.
About the AK-203 Assault Rifle
The 7.62 mm caliber AK-203 rifle can fire 700 rounds per minute. It has a range of 500-800 meters and weighs 3.8 kg, making it lightweight yet deadly and easy for soldiers to operate.
