Ahead of Russia-India Summit, Indo-Russian Joint venture delivers 35,000 AK-203s to Indian army

Ahead of the 22nd India-Russia summit, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) has produced and handed over 35,000 "made in India '' Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles to the Indian Army, the Russian side has announced.

This transfer is a part of the larger ongoing defence cooperation between the 2 sides, with focus on India's "make in India '' in defence sector. The Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifle, a modernised version of the AK-200 series chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge, is used in the Indian Army and is expectedbolster its combat capabilities.

IRRPL, is a joint venture between India's Ordnance Factory Board and from the Russian side- ROSOBORONEXPORT JSC and Kalashnikov Group, both of which are subsidiaries of Rostec State Corporation. Rostec is Russia's major supplier of armaments, military, and special equipment through the state defense order.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The project is part of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (Self-Reliant India) program, which focuses on localization of defence production. Sergey Chemezov, Director General of Rostec, highlighted the importance of this venture, saying, "Today, India is the first foreign customer to produce the 'two hundredth' series of Kalashnikov assault rifles. Production has been deployed in India in full compliance with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan programs."

The rifles have been produced at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh which has been equipped with the necessary machinery to manufacture the rifles and ensure timely delivery.

Alexander Mikheev, Director General of ROSOBORONEXPORT, emphasised the successful implementation of the project, saying, "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." Mikheev also termed the joint venture a "vivid example of fruitful cooperation between our countries in the defence sector".

The development comes even as Rostec has announced manufacturing of "Mango shells" in India. The ammunition is designed to defeat armored vehicles fitted with composite armour and the project is being implemented under the Make in India program. The 125mm Mango round can be fired from the guns of T-72 and T-90 MBTs.

Defense cooperation remains cornerstone of Indo-Russian relations, with numerous collaborative projects over the past several years. From S-400s to licensed production of T-90 tanks and Su-30 MKI, supply of MiG-29 and Kamov helicopters, INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), production of Ak-203 rifles in India and BrahMos missiles, defence ties remain steady and growing. Ahead of the summit, Russia also approved the India-Russia logistics pact, enhancing military interoperability between the two nations.