HomeArmy Chief Manoj Pande briefs mediaArmy Chief Manoj Pande informs media that first batch of AK-203 assault...

Army Chief Manoj Pande informs media that first batch of AK-203 assault rifle to be delivered by March


Army Chief Manoj Pande informs media that first batch of AK-203 assault rifle to be delivered by March
Army Chief General Manoj Pande addressed the media on 12 January


The Indian Army is focusing on indigenous military technologies said Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Thursday replying to Financial Express Online while addressing media ahead of the Army Day on January 15. He added that the Army will receive the first batch of AK-203 assault rifle delivery by March 2023.


Gen Pande highlighted that the Indian Army is encouraging projects for niche/advanced military technologies through indigenous development, “leveraging niche technologies is extremely important, considering the potential that we have in the country.”

Niche military technologies

According to him, the Army has made a single point contact, a nodal agency at the army headquarter – The Army Design Bureau (ADB) for addressing the niche [military] technologies.

“Technologies are also being encouraged through iDEX which is launched by the Ministry of Defence. The Army has started 10 projects under the iDEX,” he added.

Highlighting the thrust for research and development the Army Chief pointed out the growing engagement with leading universities including Army Cell in the IITs. “We will use our Emergency Procurement to encourage such innovations; will evaluate and put them on trails in the field,” General Pande explained.

He also emphasized developing futuristic autonomous aerial systems and space-based capability through aatmanirbhata.

Recently, The Indian army has placed orders for 2,000 drones, some of which will be used for taking vital supplies to the higher altitude post. Some of the drones will be used for surveillance and reconnaissance work in high-altitude areas in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and other key strategic posts.

The AK-203 assault rifle delivery timeline

The Army Chief also spoke about the production timeline of the AK-203 assault rifle which is delayed, “Out of the 6 lakh plus AK -203 assault rifles, we will receive the 70,000 within 32 months, he said. The indigenous content in these will be from the range of 5 -17 percent. Rest will be 100 percent indigenous.”

In 2019, India and Russia signed an intergovernmental agreement for setting up Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited– a joint venture to manufacture the AK-203 assault rifles. The project was announced by Indian PM Modi to produce new generation assault rifles for the Indian Armed Forces which will replace the existing Indian Small Arms System (INSAS).

The Army will get the first batch of 5000 AK-203 by March. Army Chief added: “we will meet the timeline as we go along.”

The Indian Army chief also emphasised the infrastructure development carried out along the LAC comprising roads, bridges, and tunnels.

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat

All

Cochin Shipyard launches 3 Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft for the Indian Navy

Source : The HinduThe first of the three ships in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Crafts being built by the...

BREAKING: DAC approves capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 2.23 lakh crore for Indian Armed Forces !!

Source : Asian News International (ANI)Defence Acquisition Council, under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday, accorded approval for Acceptance of Necessity...

AMCA 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Updates

Most Popular

Recent Comments

Archive Months

Miscellanous

US calls Russian annexation of Ukrainian territories act of ‘land grab’

Source : Asian News International (ANI)US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (Photo: Reuters)Washington: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday accused Russia of...

DRDO advancing Photonic Radar development to detect Stealth objects

Source : Indian Defence NewsRepresentative ImageDRDO has made significant progress in Photonic Radar development. Soon to realise the integrated Photonic Transmit Receive modules along...

Indian Govt places order with BDL to start serial production of BMD Phase-1 Interceptors

Source : IgMp BureauPhase-1 BMD Interceptors AAD and PDVThe Indian Government has placed the order for serial production of the two Interceptor missiles of...

Exclusive: Ukraine sanctions on Russia virtually ground Pak’s JF-17 fighter programme

Source : Hindustan TimesSino-Pak JF-17 fighter is facing severe engine serviceability issues with Russian original equipment manufacturer under Western Sanctions.A day after the Indian Air...
Visits
error: Content is protected !!