India & Russia begin joint manufacturing of AK 203 rifles in UP, might export them too

New Delhi: The Indian military’s much awaited quest for modern assault rifles is finally coming to an end. India and Russia have begun the joint production of AK 203 rifles at a factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.

“With the launch of series production of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles, high-quality, convenient and modern small arms will begin to enter service in India’s defence and law enforcement agencies,” Sergey Chemezov, general director of Russia’s state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec said in a statement.

While OFB has a 50.5 per cent stake in the joint venture, Kalashnikov has 42 per cent and Rosoboronexport 7.5 per cent.

According to the roadmap, an initial lot of 70,000 rifles are to be Made in India with lesser indigenous content. The first batch will consist of 5,000 rifles that are supposed to have only 5 per cent indigenous components. It will increase to 70 per cent when the initial lot of 70,000 is completed in 32 months, sources explained.

The idea is to have rifles made of 100 per cent indigenous components over a period of 128 months.

India and Russia had inked an agreement in December 2021 for procurement of 6,01,427 7.63x39mm AK 203 assault rifles through Korwa Ordnance Factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019.

Alexander Mikheev, director general of Rosoboronexport, said the beginning of deliveries to the Indian Army is expected soon.

“In addition, the joint venture will be able to export its products to third countries,” he said.

Rostec’s statement also said that Russia and India will continue to implement military-technical cooperation projects.

“Their current and future programmes are maximally focused on technological cooperation, including on the basis of joint ventures, in the format of licensed production and joint R&D projects,” it added.