In a bid to provide a big boost to self-reliance in defence manufacturing in India, the Central government has approved a plan for the joint production of over five lakh AK-203 assault rifles with Russia in Korwa area of Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, said the government sources on Saturday.
The decision comes ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India on December 6 for an annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The 7.62 X 39mm caliber AK-203 rifles will replace in-service INSAS rifles inducted over three decades back. The modern version of the Russian-origin rifle has an effective range of 300 meters.
The high-powered rifles are lightweight, robust and easy to use modern assault rifles with proven technology that will enhance the combat potential of soldiers to adequately meet present and envisaged operational challenges, the sources noted.
Uttar Pradesh is on way to becoming a defence manufacturing hub of India, they said.
“It reflects the ever increasing paradigm shift in defence acquisition from buy (global) to Make in India. This endeavour will be done in partnership with Russia and reflects the deepening partnership between the two countries in the defence sector,” the sources said.
The project will provide business opportunities to various MSMEs and other defence industries for the supply of raw material and components, which will lead to new employment opportunities. It will also enhance the operational effectiveness of the Indian Army in counterterrorism and counter insurgency operations, they said.
The project will be implemented by a special purpose joint venture, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Ltd (IRRPL). It has been created with erstwhile OFB [now Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL)] of India and Rosoboronexport (RoE) and concern Kalashnikov of Russia, they said
