AK-203
The IRRPL has been licensed to produce 6,00,000 AK-203 assault rifles chambered for 7.62×39mm. The AK-203 is a modernized 200 series AK-103 variant and one of the modern derivatives of the Russian AK-Pattern series of assault rifles. The 200 series are technically based on the AK-100 family and the more expensive AK-12 rifle family.[8] The AK-203 is reported as the latest version of the AK-47 assault rifle.[9]
In 2018, an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) was signed between Russia and India for the AK-203 project.[10]
On March 3, 2019, Russia and India inaugurated Indo-Russia Rifles in Uttar Pradesh.[11][12] However, pricing disagreements,[13][14] and international sanctions on Russia have caused delays in delivery and production.[15]
During the Defence Expo 2020 in Lucknow, Major General Sengar announced that the IRRPL facility in Amethi would produce 75,000 AK-203 annually for 10 years.[16]
On 6 December 2021, a deal was signed between Russia and India at a cost of inr 51240000000 for the production of 601,247 AK-203 at the Korwa Rifle Factory by Indo-Russia Rifles. While the first 70,000 would be manufactured through transfer of technology from Kalashnikov, the rest will be manufactured indigenously. The deliveries would be completed within 10 years.[10][17]
Meanwhile, Russia delivered 70,000 AK-103 (not AK-203) rifles on 25 January 2022 of the same design to the Indian Air Force as part of an off-the-shelf contract signed in August 2021.[18] As of then Korwa Rilfe Factory was being upgraded with a modern production line to execute the 6 lakh order and a small range for acceptance trials for the Indian Army.[17]
Production of the AK-203 started on 17 January 2023.[19][20]
In May 2024, first batch of 27,000 rifles were delivered while another batch of 8,000 would be delivered "soon". The level of indigenous content achieved is 25%.[21] In July 2024, the expected 8,000 units were delivered.[22]
IRRPL has plans to deliver 70,000 rifles (30% indigenous content) in 2025 followed by 1,00,000 units in 2026. In a recent press conference the CEO of IRRPL made stated that they would reach 100% indigenous content by the start 2026.[23][24]
