In the recent visit to Amethi Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of a manufacturing unit for AK-203 assault rifles. These rifles are the advance version of AK-47 rifle and will be manufactured as India Russia joint venture. According to the reports join venture of India and Russia will manufacture 7,50,000 units of these rifles as the first target and those will be supplied to Indian armed forces. These advance assault rifles AK -203 will be replacing Indian made INSAS Rifles.
These rifles will be manufactured by Ordinance factory in Amethi which was established in 2010. On this occasion Defence minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman read out the message from Russian president Vladimir Putin. This deal was finalized during his visit to India in October 2018. This step will be another milestone between India Russia relationship and add-on to Defence deals between these two countries.
In the joint venture Indian Ordinance factory will hold 50.5% of share, Russian Company Kalashnikov will be holding 42% of shares and 7.5% of shares will be owned by Rosonboronexport.
What is AK-203 Assault Rifle-
AK-203 is the most advance version of AK series. This is the advance version of AK-47 rifle which is worldwide used and very famous due to its reliability, durability and effectiveness. AK-203 is the advance version which is also used by Russian special forces.
It’s magazine can hold 30 bullets and have effective range of 400mtr with 100% accuracy. It will be lighter and shorter than INSAS. it can fire 600 rounds in a minute. The 7.62 mm ammunition in AK 203 rifle is NATO grade and therefore more powerful.
