Source : The Financial Times
The Indian Army is getting set to receive almost 8000 AK-203 assault rifles manufactured at the Korwa plant in Amethi next month. So far, the Indian Army has received 27,000 AK-203 assault rifles which have been manufactured locally in India under Indo-Russian joint venture — Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL).
India is the first country outside Russia which has started the production of the AK-200 series assault rifles. After fulfilling the requirements of the Indian Army, there are possibilities of the same being supplied to the paramilitary forces across the country and also to be exported overseas.
In 2019, for the manufacturing of the Russian assault rifles in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated a joint plant in Korwa (Amethi), Uttar Pradesh. These assault rifles are being manufactured in India under the `Make in India’ initiative, however, the manufacturing process got delayed for several reasons including the global lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, issues related to work share and payments and then the Russia-Ukraine war.
The production in India has already started at the Amethi based plant. In July 2021, both the countries had signed an agreement of Rs 5000 crore for the manufacturing of more than seven lakh AK-203 rifles at the Korba plant.
Meanwhile, due to the Galwan Valley clash and the dispute that started 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.
And, following the delay in the production at the Korba plant, in the year 2021, the Indian Army had to purchase 70,000 AK-203 rifles directly off-the-shelf from Russia.
Why does the Indian Army need these rifles?
As reported previously by Financial Express Online, the Indian Army needs AK-203 rifle to replace the obsolete INSAS rifle. In the near future, AK-203 will become the main assault rifle of India. Because the Indian Army (Air Force and Navy too) is going to need six and a half lakh assault rifles.
About the AK-203 Assault Rifle
The 7.62 mm caliber AK-203 rifle can fire 700 rounds in a minute. Its range is 500-800 meters and with a weight of 3.8 kg, this rifle is considered light. Being light but deadly, this rifle is easy for soldiers to operate.
