AK 203 RIFLES - DEFENCE
AND SECURITY
News: Army gets 27,000 AK-203 rifles
through joint venture
What's in the news?
●
Recently, the Indian Army received AK-203 assault
rifles from Russia.
AK-203 Rifles:
●
It is an advanced version of the AK-47 rifle,
designed for improved ergonomics and
accuracy.
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It is developed by the Russian company Kalashnikov Concern.
Manufactured by:
●
The rifles are being manufactured in India as part
of a joint venture named Indo-Russian
Rifles Private Ltd. (IRRPL).
Key takeaways:
●
As of now, 27,000 AK-203 rifles have been delivered
to the Indian Army.
●
An additional 8,000 rifles are expected to be
handed over in the next two weeks.
Indigenisation Efforts:
●
The current level of indigenisation in the
production of AK-203 rifles is approximately 25%.
●
The aim is to increase this to 70% within the next two years.
Strategic Importance:
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The induction of AK-203 rifles is part of the
Indian Army’s broader initiative to modernize its infantry weapons and replace
the older INSAS rifles.
●
These rifles are considered crucial for enhancing
the combat readiness of the Army, particularly for troops involved in
counter-insurgency operations.
●
The AK-203 rifles represent a significant upgrade
in the Indian Army’s arsenal, combining local manufacturing with critical
technology transfer, thereby boosting both defense capabilities and domestic
defense production.
Go back to basics:
Other Rifle
Acquisitions:
●
Concurrently, the Indian Army has also inducted
66,400 SIG-716 assault rifles for frontline troops, highlighting ongoing efforts
to bolster its small arms capabilities.
● It is manufactured by the USA.