In a significant milestone, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited has successfully produced and delivered 35,000 AK-203 assault rifles to the Indian Ministry of Defence. This joint venture, registered and located in India, includes Russian defense entities ROSOBORONEXPORT JSC and the Kalashnikov Group, both subsidiaries of the Rostec State Corporation.
The AK-203, a modern version of the AK-200 series, is known for its reliability and ease of maintenance, attributes that are highly valued in real combat conditions. The rifles are chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge, commonly used by the Indian Army.
Sergey Chemezov, Director General of Rostec, highlighted that this delivery marks India’s position as the first foreign customer to produce the “two hundredth” series of Kalashnikov assault rifles. He emphasized that the production aligns with India’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan” (Self-Reliant India) initiatives, ensuring 100% localization of AK-203 production. This move underscores Russia’s commitment to supporting India with advanced defense solutions.
The manufacturing process adheres to exclusive Russian technologies and certified equipment, guaranteeing high product quality and compliance with stated specifications. The joint venture, led on the Russian side by ROSOBORONEXPORT, completed the initial phase of production at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The fully equipped production facilities enabled the timely production and delivery of the assault rifles.
Alexander Mikheev, Director General of ROSOBORONEXPORT, stated that the venture exemplifies the fruitful cooperation between Russia and India in the defense sector. He reiterated the ongoing commitment of both nations to implement military-technical cooperation projects, with a focus on enhancing technological interaction.
As India and Russia continue to strengthen their defense partnership, the successful delivery of the AK-203 assault rifles marks a significant step forward in their collaborative efforts to bolster defense capabilities.
