Ahead of PM Modi-President Putin's summit, first batch of locally assembled AK-203 rifles in Indian armoury

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow this weekend for the annual India-Russia Summit, the Indian Army has received the first 35,000 Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles assembled in India. 

These weapons are produced through an Indo-Russian joint venture based in the Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh. Modi is set to visit Russia on July 8 and 9 for the 22nd annual summit.

Under this joint venture, called Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), more than 600,000 AK-203 assault rifles will be manufactured in India with technology transfer from Russia under a contract worth over Rs 5,000 crore signed in July 2021. IRRPL was set up in 2019 and is a collaborative venture between India’s Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and Munitions India Limited—earlier known as the Ordnance Factory Board—and Russia’s Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov Concern, both Rostec State Corporation subsidiaries.

To spur indigenous production, all the necessary equipment has been sent to the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, and the production facilities are now fully equipped, according to a statement by Alexander Mikheev, Director-General of Rosoboronexport. This allowed Russia to manufacture and deliver the first batch of 35,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles to the Indian Army within the timeframe agreed upon with India’s Ministry of Defence.

According to Sergey Chemezov, Rostec’s Director-General, India is the first country abroad to manufacture the 200th series of Kalashnikov assault rifles.

According to the contract, the first 70,000 rifles will be made in India, gradually increasing the local content from 5% to 70%. The rest of the rifles will be produced with 100% local content. Due to repeated delays in finalizing the deal, India had earlier bought and inducted 70,000 AK-103 assault rifles directly under an agreement signed in August 2021.

Kalashnikov Rifles: Evolution

The AK-47 is the first generation of Kalashnikov rifles, designed by the legendary Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1947. The moniker ‘AK’ is derived from the Russian ‘Avtomat Kalashnikova’, meaning ‘Kalashnikov’s automatic rifle’ in that language

The AKM is the second generation of Kalashnikov rifles, designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1959. It had several improvements over the AK-47, making it easier and cheaper to produce. The AK-47’s heavy, solid metal part was replaced with a lighter, U-shaped metal part that was easier to handle. Additionally, they also added a slant-cut compensator to help control the gun’s kickback because the AK-47 did not have anything on the end of the barrel to do that.

The third generation of Kalashnikov rifles is the AK-74, designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1974. The most significant difference was that, instead of a 7.62x39mm cartridge, it used a 5.45x39mm cartridge, similar to the 5.56 NATO. An improved version, called the AK-74M, was developed in 1991.

The fourth generation of Kalashnikov rifles is the AK-100 series, which included major improvements over the previous AK-74. This series also introduced a low-recoil variant—a version of the rifle that has less kickback when fired, making it easier to control and shoot accurately—called the AK-107.

The fifth generation of Kalashnikov rifles is the AK-200 series, which is an upgraded version of the AK-100 series.

The sixth generation of Kalashnikov rifles is the AK-12 family. The AK-12 is the most advanced Kalashnikov rifle ever made. Compared to the AK-200 series, these rifles are more expensive.

The New Kalashnikov AK-203

The Kalashnikov AK-203 is an upgraded version of the famous, basic AK-47 assault rifle, created by the Kalashnikov Concern in Russia. While the price of an AK-47 is roughly $200, the Indian-made AK-203 will, possibly, cost between $900 and $1,000. So, why is the AK-203 almost five times more expensive than a basic AK-47?

The AK-203 assault rifle—a fifth-generation variant of the AK-200 rifle—uses a 7.62×39mm cartridge. It was built to offer better performance and accuracy while not dispensing with the acclaimed durability of the earlier models.

Barrel Length of the AK-203

The AK-203 measures 705 mm (27.8 inches) in length with the stock folded and 940 mm (37 inches) with the stock extended. It has a barrel length of 415 mm (16.3 inches), making it compact and versatile for different combat situations. This barrel length of 415 mm is useful because it provides a balance between accuracy, range, and manoeuvrability. This length allows the rifle to be effective in various combat scenarios, offering good performance in both close-quarters and medium-range engagements.

The Technical Improvements

The AK-203 has several technical improvements over earlier models. It features a Picatinny rail for mounting optics and accessories, an ergonomic pistol grip, and an adjustable folding stock. A Picatinny rail is a feature on the rifle that allows the user to easily attach scopes, sights, and other accessories for better aiming and customization. The rifle also has a new muzzle brake to reduce recoil and muzzle rise, improving accuracy during rapid fire. A new muzzle brake is a device on the end of the rifle’s barrel that helps reduce the kickback and upward movement when fired. This makes it easier to stay accurate, especially when shooting quickly.

The AK-203 uses a long-stroke gas piston system, which is a hallmark of Kalashnikov designs. A long-stroke gas piston system is a mechanism in the rifle that uses gas from fired bullets to cycle the action and load the next round. This system ensures reliable performance even in harsh conditions—such as dirt, mud, and extreme temperatures—making the rifle very dependable in the field.

The AK-203 uses 7.62x39mm bullets, a type of ammo known for its strong impact and effectiveness at short to medium ranges. This calibre has been widely used in many conflicts, showing its reliability and effectiveness. The 7.62x39mm bullets come in different types:

o Full metal jacket (FMJ): Standard bullets that are good for general use
o Hollow point (HP): Bullets that expand on impact, causing more damage to targets
o Armour-piercing (AP): Bullets designed to penetrate armour and tougher materials

This variety allows the rifle to be used effectively for different combat situations and against various targets.

The AK-203 is most effective at a range of 300-400 metres, although it can reach up to 800 metres with reduced accuracy. The rifle’s iron sights are set for distances of up to 1,000 metres, but accuracy drops beyond its effective range.

(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also the Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)