Amethi unit all set to make AK-203 rifles

Tags: Defence

Manufacturing of AK-203 assault rifles by Indo-Russian joint venture in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to start by the end of the year 2022.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• According to Kalashnikov, a Russian company that manufactures rifles, the manufacturing equipment required for this will soon be sent from Russia to India.

• Over 6.1 lakh AK-203 assault rifles costing over Rs 5,000 crore will be manufactured by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture in Korwa, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.

• IRRPL was established jointly between the then OFB of India (now Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited -AWEIL), Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Rosoboronexport (ROE) and Kalashnikov of Russia.

• A modern production line has been set up and a short range of weapons has been set up where the rifles will be tested.

• India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) in February 2019 for the production of AK 203 assault rifles.

About AK 203 Rifles :

• The AK-203 assault rifle is considered to be the latest and most advanced version of the AK-47 rifle.

• It is a 7.62×39mm variant from the AK-100 rifle family. 

• This variant will replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56×45mm assault rifle, which is currently being used by the Army, Navy and Air Force besides other security forces.

• INSAS rifles are not suitable for use at high altitudes. These rifles also have problems like gun jamming, oil leakage etc.

Other India-Russia bilateral projects : 

• Indigenous production of T-90 tanks and Su-30-MKIaircraft

• Supply of MiG-29-K aircraft and Kamov-31 and Mi-17 helicopters

• Upgrade of MiG-29 aircraft and supply of Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher Smerch.

• Develop and produce supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles in India