India’s military forces will get a new shipment of AK-203 rifles, locally referred to as ‘Sher’, which are made completely in India. The rifles, replacing the old INSAS rifles that have been with the country for decades, are being built under an Indo-Russian joint venture. Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) is manufacturing the rifles in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, and will supply them nearly 22 months ahead of schedule. India sealed a Rs 5,200 crore contract to produce more than six lakh rifles under the Make in India program, which is a turning point for defense indigenization.
Why are AK-203 Rifles So Special?
The AK-203 is a contemporary variant of the Kalashnikov rifle family. It features much more sophisticated functionality compared to the outdated AK-47 and AK-56 versions. All rifles utilize a 7.62×39 mm cartridge in place of the INSAS rifle’s 5.56×45 mm, providing it with increased impact and reliability. The 30-cartridge capacity magazine and lighter 3.8 kg design increase soldier effectiveness, particularly during counter-insurgency combat.
It has a telescopic buttstock, recoil management, and provision for contemporary optics, which makes it suitable for India’s western and northern borders, including the LOC and LAC.
Without a buttstock, Sher is 705 mm long, unlike the INSAS rifle, which is 960 mm long, making it more compact for fast maneuverability.
Where and how are the AK-203 Rifles Produced?
The Korwa, Amethi-based IRRPL factory is the place where the rifles are made. It is an Indo-Russian joint venture comprising Rosoboronexport, Concern Kalashnikov, AWEIL, and MIL. The Indian Army, which is headed by Maj Gen S K Sharma, oversees factory operations.
To date, 48,000 rifles have been supplied. Another 7,000 will be available within a few weeks, and another 15,000 by December. The factory will then produce 12,000 rifles every month from 2026, finishing the order ahead of schedule.
The plant now has 260+ employees, both permanent Russian specialists and others. The staff will expand to 537, of whom 90% will be locals. IRRPL has already reached 50% indigenisation and will produce the first completely Indian-made AK-203 rifle by December.
Technology, Quality, and Future Plans
IRRPL had the entire Transfer of Technology (ToT) from Russia. All testing is now being conducted in India. Every rifle contains approximately 50 parts and 180 sub-parts, undergoing 120 production processes. The service life of every rifle is 15,000 rounds.
Maj Gen Sharma equates this project to the “young brother of BrahMos” and points out the factory’s increasing fame in quality control. Each material now has a local Indian alternative source, making it sustainable and self-sufficient.
In the future, IRRPL will look beyond the AK-203. Sharma assured that the intergovernmental agreement lets the company venture into other Kalashnikov platforms, with AK-203 only the starting point.
