n The production of AK-203 assault rifles in India will begin by the year end for armed forces, para-military forces and State police organisations. The rifles are derivative of iconic AK-47 rifles and a factory in Uttar Pradesh under a joint venture between India and Russia will manufacture these guns.
The Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited was set up in 2019 to produce the Russian-origin Kalashnikov assault rifles in Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi district. The project is worth over RS 7,000 crores.
The Korwa Ordnance Factory is ready to start manufacturing Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles by the end of 2022, Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev said here on Tuesday.
Rosoboronexport is Russia's state-run defence entity that oversees various key military projects, including those in foreign countries. Its chief also said plans include 100 per cent localisation of the production of legendary Russian assault rifles in India.
"In future, the joint venture may increase production and modernise facilities to manufacture advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform," he said.
Rosoboronexport said the AK-203 rifles are fitted with integral Picatinny rails for a convenient and easy mounting of sights and tactical accessories, enabling the effective use of weapons in various conditions.
The company is attending the five-day DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, which began on Tuesday.
During the exhibition, Rosoboronexport will discuss with the Indian side the production and supply of AK-203 for the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies of the country, the company said in a statement.
In addition, the company will present a wide range of additional modern equipment designed both for customising the assault rifle itself and for equipping personnel, it said.