https://sputniknews.in/20240926/indo-russian-high-tech-ak-203-rifle-gains-global-attention-8202458.html
Indo-Russian High-Tech AK-203 Rifle Gains Global Attention
Indo-Russian High-Tech AK-203 Rifle Gains Global Attention
Sputnik India
African countries view Russian defence products favourably and India still obtains about 70% of its military equipment from Moscow, according to experts. 26.09.2024, Sputnik India
2024-09-26T16:20+0530
2024-09-26T16:20+0530
2024-09-26T18:36+0530
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Around ten countries from South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have expressed interest in purchasing Indian-made Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles, Major General Sudhir Kumar Sharma, CEO and managing director of Indo Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), told Sputnik India."We are exploring other variants of the Kalashnikov family, which include not only rifles but also carbines, machine guns, sniper rifles, and pistols," the major general emphasised. "This initiative will support our central alliance goods, similar to the successful BrahMos [missile] project developed by BAPL [BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited], which follows a comparable model to IRRPL."The joint venture model of IRRPL to build the weapon locally with Russian technology is a unique and successful concept, he added, noting that the thorough transfer of technology from Russia is a meticulous process. According to the CEO, it requires "extensive documentation — over 100,000 A3 pages — which demonstrates the complexity and time needed for true indigenisation, contrary to claims of rapid production."The production of a world-class rifle in India marks a significant step toward self-reliance and symbolises a formal government-driven joint venture between India and Russia, supported at all levels, he stated.Once ready, the countries plan to export the rifles widely, aligning with the government’s initiative of "Made in India, Made for the World," with a mutual understanding for exports to friendly nations, he further noted.The rifle features a lighter body, Picatinny rails, and a composite material magazine, making it well-suited for tropical environments, Leonkov highlighted, while also emphasising that the Kalashnikov's reliability has been demonstrated over many decades."India has begun mass production of the AK-203, which was primarily intended for rearming its own army, including special operations forces," the expert added.The contract has proven economically and technologically advantageous, as local production is likely yielding benefits while enabling India to access more advanced weapons systems from Russia, which are informed by real-world combat experiences in various conflicts, he pointed out.“The composite materials used in the rifle, including the adjustable stock, enhance durability in tropical environments, while reducing weight compared to earlier models with wooden components," the expert reckoned.While arms deals during the Soviet era often involved barter without financial compensation, Russia now sells its weapons and also supports local production in countries like India, the analyst pointed out.Russia delivers reliable, high-tech military equipment without imposing such conditions, making it a preferred partner, he underlined.African nations have a positive outlook on Russian defence products, while India continues to source approximately 70% [up to 90%, as per 2022 Institut Montaigne report] of its military equipment from Russia, underscoring the mutual advantages of Indo-Russian collaboration in military production and modernisation, he concluded.
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Indo-Russian High-Tech AK-203 Rifle Gains Global Attention
16:20 26.09.2024 (Updated: 18:36 26.09.2024) African countries view Russian defence products favourably and India still obtains about 70% of its military equipment from Moscow, according to experts.
Around ten countries from South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have expressed interest in purchasing Indian-made Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles, Major General Sudhir Kumar Sharma, CEO and managing director of Indo Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), told Sputnik India.
"We are exploring other variants of the Kalashnikov family, which include not only rifles but also carbines, machine guns, sniper rifles, and pistols," the major general emphasised. "This initiative will support our central alliance goods, similar to the successful BrahMos [missile] project developed by BAPL [BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited], which follows a comparable model to IRRPL."
The Kalashnikov rifle, a Russian creation known for its reliability and legacy as the iconic AK-47, stands out for its exceptional ergonomics, making it a coveted choice for soldiers, Sharma highlighted.
The
joint venture model of IRRPL to build the weapon locally with Russian technology is a unique and successful concept, he added, noting that the thorough transfer of technology from Russia is a meticulous process. According to the CEO, it requires "extensive documentation — over 100,000 A3 pages — which demonstrates the complexity and time needed for true indigenisation, contrary to claims of rapid production."
The production of a world-class rifle in India marks a significant step toward self-reliance and symbolises a formal government-driven joint venture between India and Russia, supported at all levels, he stated.
Once ready, the countries plan to export the rifles widely, aligning with the government’s initiative of "Made in India, Made for the World," with a mutual understanding for exports to friendly nations, he further noted.
India has actively supported the Make in India initiative for its defence sector, focusing on both purchasing and locally producing military equipment, exemplified by the AK-203 rifle, an export version designed to NATO standards and enhanced from the traditional AK-47 and AK-74 models, Alexei Leonkov, a Russian military analyst and editor of Arsenal Otechestva (Arsenal of the Fatherland), told Sputnik India.
The rifle features a lighter body, Picatinny rails, and a composite material magazine, making it well-suited for tropical environments, Leonkov highlighted, while also emphasising that the Kalashnikov's reliability has been demonstrated over many decades.
"India has begun mass production of the AK-203, which was primarily intended for rearming its own army, including
special operations forces," the expert added.
However, the plan also includes exporting the rifle, which provides India with dual benefits: modernising its military while also gaining a foothold in the international arms market, particularly in Africa and potentially South America, Leonkov stressed.
The contract has proven economically and technologically advantageous, as local production is likely yielding benefits while enabling India to access more advanced weapons systems from Russia, which are informed by real-world combat experiences in various conflicts, he pointed out.
Likewise, India's decision to produce these rifles locally has also proven advantageous for its African and Middle Eastern clients, who benefit from the lower price and closer proximity for logistics and maintenance, Leonkov emphasised.
“The
composite materials used in the rifle, including the adjustable stock, enhance durability in tropical environments, while reducing weight compared to earlier models with wooden components," the expert reckoned.
While arms deals during the Soviet era often involved barter without financial compensation, Russia now sells its weapons and also supports local production in countries like India, the analyst pointed out.
"This approach ensures long-term cooperation without the political strings often attached to US arms sales, where clients are expected to align with the US policies," Leonkov argued.
Russia delivers reliable, high-tech military equipment without imposing such conditions, making it a preferred partner, he underlined.
African nations have a positive outlook on
Russian defence products, while India continues to source approximately 70% [up to 90%, as per 2022 Institut Montaigne report] of its military equipment from Russia, underscoring the mutual advantages of Indo-Russian collaboration in military production and modernisation, he concluded.
