Indo-Russia Rifles

Indo-Russia Rifles Private LimitedIndustry| Defence

|

Founded| 2019; 7 years ago (2019)
Headquarters|

Korwa, Amethi

India

Key people

| Major General SK Sharma, SM(Bar), VSM (CEO&MD)
Products| AK-203
Owners|

* Advanced Weapons and Equipment India (42.5%)
* Munitions India (8%)
* Kalashnikov Concern (42%)
* Rosoboronexport (7.5%)

Website| irrpl.co.in

Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) is a rifle-manufacturing facility in Korwa, Amethi district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Founded in 2019, the factory manufactures the AK-200 variant of the Kalashnikov family of rifles.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Products
* 2.1 AK-203
* 3 Ownership
* 3.1 Leaders
* 4 References

## History

The Indian Armed Forces had been equipped with a locally produced licensed copy of the L1A1 self-loading rifles from the late 1950s.[1][2] In the mid-1980s, a decision was taken to develop a 5.56×45mm NATO calibre rifle to replace the obsolete rifles. Trials on various prototypes based on the AKM were carried out by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune. On the completion of the trial, The Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) was adopted in 1990, becoming the standard-issue assault rifle of the Indian infantry. However, to phase out the still in use bolt-action Lee–Enfield rifles as quickly as possible, India had to acquire 100,000 7.62×39mm AKM-type rifles from Russia, Hungary, Romania and Israel in 1990–92.[3]

The INSAS was initially built with features borrowed from several different rifles and was not made to meet the specific requirements of the Indian security forces. This design, while serving the Army for over 30 years, started to fall behind the needs of modern warfare.[4] In recent years the rifle has come under increasing scrutiny, with several issues surfacing from frontline forces that have inhibited operational capabilities. For example, the plastic magazine of the rifle has repeatedly cracked under cold weather conditions and has reportedly even overheated during long battles leading to malfunctions, making it an unreliable choice for a standard-issue rifle.[5]

Due to these repeated downfalls, in April 2015, the Indian government had to replace some INSAS rifles of the CRPF with AKM variants to ensure greater success against the Naxalite–Maoist insurgency.[6] Therefore, owing to these failures and the changing needs of the armed forces, it was announced in early 2017 that the INSAS rifles would be retired and replaced by a weapon configured for 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges.[7]

This section is an excerpt from AK-203 § History[ edit ]

## Products

### 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 ₹5,124 crore (equivalent to ₹51 billion or US$720 million in 2023) 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]

## Ownership

The factory is a joint venture between three companies. As of 2023, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited owns the controlling stakes at 42.5% with Munitions India Limited at a 8%, Kalashnikov Concern at 42% and Rosoboronexport at 7.5%.[25]

A serving Major General SK Sharma from the Indian Army leads the company as its CEO & MD.[26]

### Leaders

* Major General Sanjeev Sengar (2019–2023)[27]
* Major General S. K. Sharma (Aug 2023 onwards)

## References

1. ↑ "UK and Commonwealth FALs, by R. Blake Stevens, Collector Grade Publications, 1980, pages 231–233
2. ↑ Charles Q. Cutshaw (28 February 2011). Tactical Small Arms of the 21st Century: A Complete Guide to Small Arms From Around the World. Gun Digest Books. p. 207. ISBN 978-1-4402-2482-9. https://books.google.com/books?id=wcsDuwEACAAJ. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
3. ↑ John Walter (25 March 2006). Rifles of the World. Krause Publications. pp. 209–210. ISBN 0-89689-241-7. https://books.google.com/books?id=6x0tuQEACAAJ. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
4. ↑ Datta, Saikat (4 July 2017). "Why is the Indian Army still using outdated assault rifles designed in the 1980s?" (in en-US). https://scroll.in/article/842307/why-is-the-indian-army-still-using-outdated-assault-rifles-designed-in-the-1980s.
5. ↑ Beckhusen, Robert (2016-08-31). "India's Anti-Terror Troops Despise Their Assault Rifle" (in en). https://medium.com/war-is-boring/indias-anti-terror-troops-despise-their-assault-rifle-3fcafa392aaa.
6. ↑ "AK-47s to arm CRPF to teeth". Daily Pioneer. 25 April 2015. http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/ak-47s-to-arm-crpf-to-teeth.html. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
7. ↑ "INSAS rifles to retire; to be replaced by imported weapons". The Economic Times. 5 March 2017. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/insas-rifles-to-retire-to-be-replaced-by-imported-weapons/articleshow/57479939.cms. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
8. ↑ "200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)". 7 June 2018. https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/ak-200-2/.
9. ↑ "Explained: The new AK-203, and its legendary ancestor, the AK-47" (in en-IN). The Indian Express. 5 March 2019. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-the-new-ak-203-and-its-legendary-ancestor-the-ak-47-5611205/. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "India, Russia conclude AK-203 deal, renew 10-yr pact for military cooperation". Hindustan Times. 2021-12-06. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-russia-conclude-ak-203-deal-renew-10-yr-pact-for-military-cooperation-101638796549322.html.
11. ↑ "AK-203 Production Kicks-off in India". 4 March 2019. https://rostec.ru/en/news/ak-203-production-kicks-off-in-india/.
12. ↑ "Russian National Guard modernizes firearm, vehicle and boat inventory". 15 March 2019. https://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2019_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/russian_national_guard_modernizes_firearm_vehicle_and_boat_inventory.html.
13. ↑ Pubby, Manu (6 February 2020). "Indo-Russian joint venture for Amethi rifles factory hits hurdle". https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indo-russian-joint-venture-for-amethi-rifles-factory-hits-hurdle/articleshow/73974065.cms.
14. ↑ Pubby, Manu (4 June 2020). "Amethi AK-203 factory unlikely to start operations in 2020". https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/amethi-ak-203-factory-unlikely-to-start-operations-in-2020/articleshow/76183802.cms.
15. ↑ Bedi, Rahul (13 Dec 2023). "India's Assault Rifle Induction Woes Continue With Delays In Indigenous Ak-203 Production". The Wire. https://thewire.in/security/indias-assault-rifle-induction-woes-continue-with-delays-in-indigenous-ak-203-production.
16. ↑ "AK-203 to become organic assault rifle of Indian armed forces". 14 February 2020. https://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2020_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/ak-203_to_become_organic_assault_rifle_of_indian_armed_forces.html#google_vignette.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "AK 203 deal: Initial batch of 70,000 rifles delivered to armed forces by Russia". The Economic Times. 2022-01-25. ISSN 0013-0389. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/ak-203-deal-initial-batch-of-70000-rifles-delivered-to-armed-forces-by-russia/articleshow/89102009.cms.
18. ↑ "Indian Army to buy AK-203 off the shelf from Russia" (in en). 2021-08-23. https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-indian-army-to-buy-ak-203-off-the-shelf-from-russia-2315875/.
19. ↑ Nagial, Colonel Balwan Singh. "AK-203 Kalashnikov Assault Rifles to be manufactured in India". https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/col-nagial/ak-203-kalashnikov-assault-rifles-to-be-manufactured-in-india/.
20. ↑ "India launches production of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles | Defense News January 2023 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2023 | Archive News year". 18 January 2023. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2023_global_security_army_industry/india_launches_production_of_kalashnikov_ak-203_assault_rifles.html.
21. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (2024-05-19). "Indo-Russian joint venture handed over 27,000 Ak-203 assault rifles to Indian Army" (in en-IN). The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indo-russian-joint-venture-handed-over-27000-ak-203-assault-rifles-to-indian-army/article68193891.ece.
22. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (2024-07-05). "Ahead of Modi's visit to Moscow, Indo-Russia venture delivers 33K AK-203 rifles to Army" (in en-US). https://theprint.in/defence/ahead-of-modis-visit-to-moscow-indo-russia-venture-delivers-33k-ak-203-rifles-to-army/2161474/.
23. ↑ "India to receive 4th squadron of Russian S-400 air defence system by year-end" (in en). 2025-02-06. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-to-receive-4th-squadron-of-russian-made-s-400-air-defence-system-by-year-end-2675492-2025-02-06.
24. ↑ "Army to boost firepower with 70,000 new AK-203 rifles as part of Russia deal" (in en). 2025-02-05. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-russia-arms-deal-ak-203-kalashnikov-rifles-indian-army-combat-weapons-2675461-2025-02-05#amp_tf=From %1$s&aoh=17388899209263&csi=0&referrer=https://www.google.com&ampshare=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-russia-arms-deal-ak-203-kalashnikov-rifles-indian-army-combat-weapons-2675461-2025-02-05.
25. ↑ "Vacancy Circular - Filling up of one post of Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director (CEO/MD) in M/s Indo-Russia Rifle Private Limited (IRRPL)-reg". https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/vacancy circular.pdf.
26. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (3 March 2019). "PM Modi inaugurates Indo-Russian joint venture, which will end Army's long quest for rifles". The Print. https://theprint.in/defence/pm-modi-inaugurates-indo-russian-joint-venture-which-will-end-armys-long-quest-for-rifles/200792/. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
27. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (5 July 2019). "Army chief's new experiment — Major General is CEO of AK-203 rifle factory in Amethi". ThePrint. https://theprint.in/defence/army-chiefs-new-experiment-major-general-is-ceo-of-ak-203-rifle-factory-in-amethi/259019/. Retrieved 12 January 2020.

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