The Indian Army has received 5,000 new AK-203 rifles from Amethi's Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL). These rifles are being developed under the 'Make in India' initiative and are set to completely replace the outdated INSAS rifles.
AK-203 Rifles: A New Weapon, A New Strength
The Indian Army recently received a shipment of 5,000 AK-203 rifles, manufactured at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. To date, IRRPL has delivered 53,000 AK-203 rifles to the Army. These rifles underwent rigorous testing with the Director General Quality Assurance (DGQA) involved, and so far, there have been no complaints, underscoring their superior quality.
Make in India and Indigenization
Production of the AK-203 began in 2019 under the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) joint venture, where India holds a 50.5% stake and Russia 49.5%. This ₹5,200 crore project aims to produce 610,000 rifles.
Source: aajtak
Currently, 50% indigenization has been achieved. By October 2025, this will rise to 70%, and by December 2025, it will reach 100%. Following this...
12,000 rifles will be manufactured monthly.
A rifle will be ready every 100 seconds.
1.5 lakh rifles will be produced annually.
This entire order will be completed by December 2030, a full 22 months ahead of schedule (December 2032). The technology transfer from Russia is 100% complete. The new name for the rifle, 'Sher', reflects its prowess.
Features of the AK-203
The AK-203 rifles are modern and reliable. Key features include...
Source: aajtak
Weight: 3.8 kg (lighter than INSAS, which is 4.15 kg).
Firing rate: 700 rounds per minute.
Range: Up to 800 meters.
Ammunition: 7.62x39mm cartridge, more powerful than INSAS's 5.56x45mm.
Features: Telescopic Buttstock, improved recoil control, and support for modern optics.
This rifle is well-suited for anti-terrorism and border operations, designed for soldiers stationed at the Line of Control (LoC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Goodbye to INSAS
The Indian Army has been using INSAS rifles since the 1990s, but complaints about jamming, magazine issues, and poor performance in tough conditions led to the switch. The AK-203 will fully replace these. Initially, 70,000 AK-103 rifles were imported from Russia to meet urgent needs, but now AK-203s are being manufactured domestically.
Source: aajtak
Potential for Export
The quality of the AK-203 has caught the attention of several African and Middle Eastern countries, expressing interest in purchasing it. In the future, IRRPL might supply these rifles to India's paramilitary forces and other countries, positioning India as a significant player in arms exports.
The Korwa Plant in Amethi
The Korwa plant in Amethi spans 8.5 acres and houses the country's best small arms testing lab, with 260 employees, including Russian experts. In the future, the workforce will grow to 537, with 90% being Indian. Major General S.K. Sharma, CEO of IRRPL, describes it as the 'little brother' of the BrahMos project.
Challenges and Solutions
Initially, challenges such as COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and price discrepancies caused delays. However, production is now proceeding rapidly. Indigenization of 60 critical parts has been accomplished, with alternative Indian suppliers ready for each part. The Kanpur Small Arms Factory has successfully tackled casting and metal challenges to meet Russian GOST standards.
