Kalashnikov AK-203 Assault Rifle:
The Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture between India and Russia, has successfully delivered 35,000 AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles to the Indian Army.
- AK-203 Rifle is a modern firearm originating from Russia, designed by the renowned engineer Mikhail Kalashnikov between 2007 and 2010.
- It is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, select-fire assault rifle.
- It is a version of the AK-200 rifle chambered for the 62x39mm cartridge used in the Indian Army.
- The weapon has the traditional advantages of Kalashnikov assault rifles: reliability and ease of maintenance.
- These AK-203 rifles are produced in India using proprietary Russian technologies and certified equipment, ensuring high product quality and adherence to specifications.
- It will be manufactured by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL).
- IRRPL is a joint venture between India and Russia, set up in 2019 to produce AK-203 rifles in the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh.
- The joint venture plans to ensure 100% localisation of the production of AK-203 rifles in India.
- India is the first country outside Russia which has started the production of the AK-200 series assault rifles.
Features of AK-203 Rifle:
- Weighing 3.8 kg, this rifle measures between 880 and 940 mm in length with the stock extended, while its barrel is 415 mm long.
- Its mechanism is based on a gas-operated action with a rotating bolt, allowing a firing rate of approximately 700 rounds per minute.
