India Begins Local Production Of AK-203 'Sher' Rifles In Amethi
· India · Outlook India, Times of India
India has started manufacturing AK-203 assault rifles, branded as 'Sher', at a new facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, through a joint venture between the Indian government and Russia's Kalashnikov Concern. The Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) plant is producing 7.62×39mm calibre rifles designed for the Indian Army, with indigenous content expected to rise progressively. The rifles combine the original Kalashnikov design with Indian-made components, including a new Indian barrel and other localised parts. The first batch has already been delivered to the armed forces, and production will scale up to meet frontline requirements. The project is part of India's broader push to indigenise defence procurement under the Make in India initiative, reducing reliance on imports of small arms.
Why it matters
The Amethi plant gives the Indian Army a domestically produced standard-issue assault rifle, cuts long-term dependence on foreign small-arms imports, and deepens India-Russia defence manufacturing ties in a category that has so far seen limited private-sector indigenisation.
Read the original report — Outlook India
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