AK 203 rifles

Why in News?

• Recently, India and Russia have begun the joint production of AK 203 rifles at a factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.

Highlights

• India and Russia had inked an agreement in December 2021 for procurement of 6,01,427 AK 203 assault rifles through Korwa Ordnance Factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district.
• More than six lakh rifles are to be manufactured in India as part of a joint venture — Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited — established between the Indian Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kalashnikov Concern, and Rosoboronexport, (both subsidiaries of the Rostec State Corporation).
• The Rs 5,124 crore deal was signed between India and Russia in December 2021.
• It is the biggest defence deal between the two nations in recent years. The deal has a clause for complete technology transfer. The rifles will also be exported to friendly foreign nations.
• The Idea is to have rifles made of 100 % indigenous components over a period of 128 months.
• AK-203 assault rifle is considered to be the latest and most advanced version of the AK-47 rifle.
• It is a 7.62×39mm variant from the AK-100 rifle family (one that offers the AK-74M system, in multiple cartridges and lengths).
• It Is expected to replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56×45 mm assault rifle, which are presently being used by Army, Navy and the Air Force besides other security forces.
• INSAS rifles are not suitable for use at high altitude. Several other issues with these rifles include gun jamming, oil leakage etc.
• India-Russia military-technical cooperation has evolved from a buyer-seller framework to one involving joint research, development and production of advanced defence technologies and systems.
• Both countries regularly conduct the Tri-Services exercise ‘INDRA‘.