NEW DELHI: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s visit to Russia, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture between India and Russia, has announced successful delivery of 35,000 AK-203 assault rifles to the Indian Army. Production has been deployed in India in full compliance with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (Self-Reliant India) programmes. The project includes technology transfer, and its concept includes 100 per cent localization of AK-203 production. The Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited joint venture, co-founded by ROSOBORONEXPORT on the Russian side, has completed the first phase of the project to produce AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles in India. To increase the degree of localization, all necessary equipment has been shipped to the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh state, and production facilities are now fully equipped, emphasised Alexander Mikheev, Director General of ROSOBORONEXPORT. This made it possible to produce and deliver a batch of 35,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles to the Indian Army within the timeframe agreed with the Ministry of Defence of India, he added. The Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifle is a version of the AK-200 rifle chambered for the 7.62x39mm cartridge used in the Indian Army. The weapon has the traditional advantages of Kalashnikov assault rifles: reliability and ease of maintenance. The AK-203s are manufactured in India in compliance with exclusive Russian technologies on certified equipment. This ensures high product quality and compliance with the stated characteristics.
