In a major development, which will provide much-needed fillip to the defence manufacturing in the country, the government has approved the plan for the production of more than 5 lakh AK-203 assault rifles at Korwa, Amethi UP.
The manufacturing will be done in partnership with Russia, which reflects the deepening partnership between the two nations in the defence sector.
Further, the project will be implemented by a special purpose Joint Venture called Indo-Russian Rifles Private Ltd (IRRPL). It has been created with erstwhile OFB, now Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL) of India and Rosoboronexport (RoE) & Kalashnikov Concern of Russia.
The Make-in-India initiative
Under the Make-in-India initiative, as many as 5 lakh AK203 assault rifles will be manufactured at a unit in Amethi for the Indian Army’s infantry forces. A derivative of the AK47, which is part of the Kalashnikov assault rifle family, the AK203 will replace the Indian Army’s standard-issue 7.62 mm INSAS rifles.
It is noteworthy that the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles (RR) units and infantry regiments are some of the largest users of Kalashnikovs.
AK-203 rifle: Adding firepower to the defence forces
Considered as the latest and most advanced version of the AK-47 rifle, the AK–203 is a select-fire assault rifle, gas-operated, magazine-fed, designed to chamber 7.62×39mm cartridge.
Designed originally by Mikhail Kalashnikov (Russian Military Engineer), the firearm was originally named AK-103M and it was renamed AK-203 in 2018.
The advanced rifle is reliable, durable and easy to maintain, hence it should be considered as the perfect partner to the Indian Defence Forces as it will provide better ergonomics, accuracy and density of fire.
The negotiations between India & Russia for the AK-203 rifle began in 2018 but finally the much-awaited deal has been cleared and it will formally be signed next month ahead of the Russian president Vladimir Putin’s visit to India.
Replacing Indian Army’s INSAS rifles
Under the deal, the AK203 will replace the Indian Army’s standard-issue 7.62 mm INSAS rifles. The INSAS or Indian Small Arms System is designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and it was inducted into service in the 1990s.
The INSAS has a chrome-plated bore and the barrel has a six-groove rifling. The basic gas-operated long-stroke piston and the rotating bolt are similar to the AK-47.
Furthermore, the INSAS rifle, with its smaller 5.56×45mm calibre bullets, is more aimed at injuring rather than neutralising the enemy.
A comparison of the AK-203 and the INSAS shows that the former rifle is lighter, shorter and deadlier.
Generating Employment
The exclusive deal will provide business opportunities to various Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) along with other defence companies in India for supply of raw material and components. The development will lead to generation of new employment opportunities and it will also mark a significant stride towards making Uttar Pradesh, a key contributor in the defence sector.
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