RUSSIA DELIVERS 70,000 AK-203 KALASHNIKOV ASSAULT RIFLES

About the Contract:

• The Indian Armed Forces placed an order for 670,000 rifles, with which a contract was signed on December 06, 2021, between India and Kalashnikov (Russia's defence production unit).
• The total cost of the contract is estimated at around Rs 50 billion.
• The contract involved the purchase of 70,000 rifles from the shelf.
• The remaining 600,000 rifles will be manufactured by Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), an Indo-Russian joint venture company based in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, India, under technology transfer (ToT). 
• The Korwa Rifle Factory in Amethi is being modernised with a contemporary manufacturing line to produce the latest generation of Kalashnikov weapons.

About the Rifles:

• The lightweight 7.62 x 39mm caliber AK-203 Rifles will replace the INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) military Rifle.
• The AK-203 Rifle has an effective 800-meter range, is lightweight, and appears as easy to use as modern assault rifles.

India-Russia Defense Cooperation:

• Defence cooperation is a significant pillar of India-Russia strategic relations. 
• It is governed by a two-state-sanctioned Military Technology Partnership Program, valid through 2020.
• It involves the interest of two governments to develop further and strengthen military and technological cooperation.