Indian Firm Launches Production Of AK-203 Rifles

Indo-Russian Rifles Private Ltd (IRRPL) in Korwa in the northern Uttar Pradesh state has announced the start of production of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles for the Indian army, reports the New Indian Express.

The first batch of 5,000 AK-203s will be delivered by March, according to Indian army chief Gen. Manoj Pande.

Rosoboronexport, the Russian arms export agency, has confirmed that an initial batch of rifles has been completed.

The service is in line for 70,000 of the AK-203, the latest version of the venerable AK-47, to be delivered over 32 months. The initial rifles will have 5 percent to 17 percent indigenous content, with follow-on weapons to be entirely indigenous, according to Pande.

The AK-203 is replacing the aging Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle.