&w=3840&q=100)
Why Indian Army's Amethi-made AK-203 rifles are a big deal
The AK-203 is a modern version of the famous Kalashnikov rifle series. File Photo/ANI
The Indian Armed Forces will soon receive a fresh supply of AK-203 assault rifles.
These rifles are being made in India by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture set up to locally produce the AK-203.
In India, the rifle has been named 'Sher' and is being manufactured in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi.
ALSO READ | How India used Scalp missiles, Hammer bombs and drones for precision strikes in Operation Sindoor
The agreement for more than six lakh AK-203 rifles was signed in 2021. The delivery is likely to be completed almost 22 months earlier than planned.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
But what exactly are these rifles? And how are they being produced?
Let's take a look:
What are AK-203 rifles?
The AK-203 is a modern version of the famous Kalashnikov rifle series.
These rifles are being made at the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) factory in Amethi's Korwa region in Uttar Pradesh.
This work is part of a Rs 5,200 crore deal signed under the 'Make in India' campaign.
In India, the AK-203 is also known as 'Sher'.
#WATCH | Amethi, Uttar Pradesh: 100% of indigenisation of AK 203 rifles to be done by the end of 2025. pic.twitter.com/wlruZwmHq3 — ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2025
To meet immediate needs, 70,000 rifles were first brought from abroad before local production started.
Maj Gen S K Sharma, CEO and Managing Director of IRRPL, described the project as the 'younger brother of BrahMos'. He told PTI that IRRPL has 50.5% Indian shareholding and 49.5% Russian.
The AK-203 rifles are far more advanced than the older AK-47 and AK-56 models. They are among the most powerful rifles in the Kalashnikov family.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
These rifles are set to replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifles, which have been in use for over 30 years. Unlike the INSAS, which uses a 5.56x45 mm cartridge, the AK-203 uses a 7.62x39 mm cartridge, NDTV reported.
Its magazine can hold up to 30 cartridges.
The rifle is built to boost the performance of Indian forces during counter-insurgency and anti-terror operations. It weighs around 3.8 kg, while the INSAS weighs 4.15 kg.
#BreakingNews | India on track to achieve 100% indigenous AK-203 rifles by 2025@kaidensharmaa brings a ground report from the Indo-Russian rifle factory in Amethi#IndiaDefenceSystem #AK203Rifle | @GrihaAtul pic.twitter.com/MyUusIQCdS — News18 (@CNNnews18) July 18, 2025
Without a buttstock, the 'Sher' rifle measures 705 mm in length, compared to the 960 mm length of the INSAS, the report said.
The AK-203 will be the main assault weapon for troops stationed along the northern and western borders, including the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control.
Features like a telescopic buttstock, better recoil control, and support for modern optics make the AK-203 fit for present-day combat needs, according to The New Indian Express.
ALSO READ | BrahMos, ammo & more: A look at weapons India exports
Where are these rifles made?
The AK-203 assault rifles are being produced by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL).
'Around 48,000 rifles have been delivered so far. Another 7,000 will be handed over in the next two to three weeks and 15,000 more by December this year,' Maj Gen SK Sharma said.
He added, 'From 2026, the factory will make 12,000 rifles each month, which means the full order will be completed well before the deadline.'
The factory is set up on 8.5 acres of land in Amethi and currently has over 260 staff, including permanent Russian experts. The workforce will increase to 537, with 90 per cent being locals, according to the officer.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
IRRPL has reached 50 per cent indigenisation and aims to deliver the first fully Indian-made AK-203 rifle by December. After that, production will scale up to 1.5 lakh rifles a year.
#WATCH | Amethi, Uttar Pradesh: CEO & MD of Indo Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), Major General SK Sharma says, "If you ask a soldier, then his most reliable friend is an assault rifle... AK-203 will be the most reliable thing in the future. We have received an order of… https://t.co/mJdL7IiO0E pic.twitter.com/10HvAXhfvH — ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2025
The joint venture has received complete Transfer of Technology (ToT) from Russia, and all testing is now done within India, he said.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Each rifle goes through 120 steps and is made up of about 50 components and 180 sub-parts. The weapon has a service life of 15,000 rounds.
'Every material now has an alternate source in India,' Sharma said, adding that the plant's quality control system is becoming one of the best in the country.
IRRPL was formed in 2019 through an inter-governmental agreement to produce AK-203 rifles for the Indian Armed Forces.
The joint venture includes Russian companies Rosoboronexport and Concern Kalashnikov, along with Indian firms Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL).
A team from the Indian Army, headed by Maj Gen Sharma, is overseeing the company's work.
When asked about plans to go beyond the AK-203 platform, Sharma told The Times of India, 'Yes, we are expecting to expand, there are efforts in that direction. The intergovernmental agreement was very clear that this company will also produce other parts of the Kalashnikov Concern and AK-203 is just the entry product.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
With inputs from agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Deadline for property tax settlement scheme extended to Aug 15
Ludhiana: The local bodies department has extended the deadline for its one-time property tax settlement scheme to August 15, offering relief to defaulters who missed the original cut-off date of July 31. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The extension comes after a surge in last-minute payments at civic body's suvidha centres across Ludhiana. Under the scheme, launched on May 15, property owners with pending dues from 2013-14 onwards were given a chance to clear their backlog without paying any interest or penalty. Officials said that initial response was slow, but picked up momentum in July. So far, the department has collected Rs 15 crore under the scheme, contributing to Rs 40 crore property tax revenue for the current fiscal year. As per the original policy, dues paid between August 1 and October 31 would attract a 50% waiver on interest and penalties. Now that the deadline has been extended, full waiver benefits will continue till August 15, giving taxpayers a few more days to settle their accounts. MC superintendent Vivek Verma confirmed the extension and urged residents to take advantage of the scheme. "This is a golden opportunity for defaulters to clear their dues without additional financial burden," he said. While the extension benefits taxpayers, it has sparked concern among MC employees, who have been working overtime, including weekends and public holidays, to manage the rush. With Raksha Bandhan falling on Saturday, staff members are considering requesting the MC commissioner to keep suvidha centres closed on holidays. One employee noted that the pressure would continue even after the scheme ended, as the civic body would shift focus to collecting current dues. Taxpayers are eligible for a 10% rebate on current dues until September 30, which means that offices may remain open on weekends for months to come. The department has appealed to residents to cooperate and complete their payments early to avoid last-minute congestion. MSID:: 123043253 413 |
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
AKG Centre built on revenue land, guv seeks VC's report
1 2 3 4 5 T'puram: AKG Centre, where the CPM state committee office functioned until recently, was built on revenue land in Vanchiyoor village in the state capital, the revenue department said in reply to an RTI application. Since it is revenue (puramboke) land, the department did not receive land tax, the RTI reply stated. Meanwhile, governor Rajendra Arlekar is understood to have sought a report from Kerala University vice-chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal on the alleged encroachment of university land by CPM. The Save University Campaign Committee submitted a memorandum to the governor, seeking urgent steps to reclaim the land, which the CPM allegedly encroached upon for setting up AKG Centre. According to land revenue records, AKG Centre is functioning in 55 cents of revenue land, adjacent to the Kerala University Senate House campus. The Kerala University vice-chancellor is expected to present the land encroachment matter at the next syndicate meeting and submit a report to the governor. It was former chief minister A K Antony who sanctioned 15 cents of land to the CPM for setting up a research centre. Later, the Kerala University syndicate decided to give 15 cents more to CPM. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Potrobangsan: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo However, there are no records available in the district collectorate, taluk office or village office regarding the land allotment. Due to the non-availability of land allotment documents, revenue officials refused to collect land tax from AKG Centre. However, AKG Centre could obtain a Thiruvananthapuram corporation number and it pays Rs 10.5 lakh as property tax. SUCC, in its memorandum to the governor, claimed that AKG Centre was able to obtain a corporation permit using political influence. SUCC alleged that the entire 55 cents of land under the custody of AKG Centre belonged to Kerala University. Although Antony and the university syndicate decided to grant 15 cents each to AKG Centre, the CPM failed to claim the ownership of the land legally. Further, it encroached on more university land. "If the governor fails to take steps to reclaim the land from AKG Centre, SUCC will initiate legal proceedings," said the committee chairman R S Sasikumar. Meanwhile, the vice-chancellor met governor on Thursday and appraised him of the developments in the university.
United News of India
40 minutes ago
- United News of India
Telangana Dy CM dedicates 1st unit of Yadadri Thermal Power Plant
Nalgonda, Aug 1 (UNI) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu said the 4,000 MW Yadadri Thermal Power Plant will be fully dedicated to the nation by January next year. Speaking after dedicating the first 800 MW unit to the nation on Friday and laying the foundation stone for an integrated township at the project site, to be developed at a cost of Rs 970 crore, Bhatti Vikramarka termed the event 'historic' for meeting the state's power needs. He said the project was delayed for nearly two years due to the previous government's failure to secure environmental clearances, which increased costs significantly. 'After the present Congress government came to power, clearances were obtained in just two months, and two units totaling 1,600 MW were completed by setting weekly and monthly targets,' he explained. The Deputy CM announced that employees working at the remote site would be provided with world-class educational institutions, corporate-level medical facilities, and local welfare measures. Free education and healthcare will also be extended to local residents who cooperated in the project's construction, along with ambulance services and road development. He assured that those who gave up land for the project would receive jobs by August 15 and full rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) benefits. Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy praised Bhatti Vikramarka for his dynamic supervision, stating that the Yadadri project, once stalled, is now progressing rapidly and will benefit the state's power supply within two years. UNI VV GNK
