Rollout of AK-203 Rifles
India is replacing its military hardware because of constant threats on the western and eastern borders. The Indian Army will soon be getting sophisticated AK-203 rifles from the Kalashnikov family, which can fire as many as 700 rounds per minute and strike accurately up to 800 meters.
Manufacture in India by Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt. Ltd.
The AK-203 rifles are being manufactured in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), which is an Indian-Russian joint venture. The rifles are being manufactured under the brand name 'Sher'.
IRRPL Managing Director Major General S.K. Sharma recently stated that the Indian security personnel would be equipped with 6.01 lakh rifles by 2030. This is almost two years before the initial timeline of October 2032, under a ₹5,200 crore deal.
Delivery Progress
- Already Delivered: Approximately 48,000 rifles.
- In the Next Few Weeks: 7,000 more rifles.
- By December: Additional 15,000 rifles.
Comparison with Previous Rifles
The new AK-203 rifles are superior to the earlier models of AK-47 and AK-57. The AK-203 rifles are likely to replace the INSAS rifles, made locally in India, that have been serving for decades.
- Caliber: The AK-203 rifles fire 7.62 mm bullets; INSAS rifles fire 5.56 mm.
- Weight: AK-203 is 3.8 kg in weight and INSAS is 4.15 kg.
- Length: AK-203 is 705 mm long and is even shorter than the INSAS.
Improved Capability for Border Defense
Military experts believe that deploying these rifles to troops stationed along the Line of Control (LoC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC) will improve operational readiness and combat effectiveness.
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