Adani Defence Signs Five-Year Ammunition Deal to Strengthen AK-203 Rifle Programme
© Photo : Rosoboronexport
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Adani Defence & Aerospace has entered into a five-year supply agreement with Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) to provide domestically manufactured ammunition for the AK-203 assault rifle programme, marking a significant step in localizing one of India's key defence manufacturing initiatives.
Under the agreement, Adani Defence will supply 7.62x39mm small-calibre ammunition for AK-203 rifles being produced in India over the five-year contract period. The arrangement ensures a steady domestic source of ammunition, reducing dependence on imports for a critical component needed to keep the rifle system operational.
For the first time, the AK-203 programme will have both its rifles and its ammunition sourced entirely from within India under one coordinated supply framework — bringing together IRRPL's rifle production with Adani's ammunition manufacturing capabilities.
IRRPL was formed in 2019 through an intergovernmental agreement between India and Russia to manufacture AK-203 rifles for India's armed forces. The joint venture operates a manufacturing facility in Korwa, located in Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh, and includes Indian partners Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd and Munitions India Ltd, alongside Russian shareholders Concern Kalashnikov and Rosoboronexport.
India's Ministry of Defence designated IRRPL as the entity responsible for domestically producing the AK-203, and in December 2021 the government signed a contract for over 600,000 units to be manufactured at the Korwa plant.
Adani Defence has been building out its ammunition manufacturing capacity in India, anchored by a dedicated production facility in Kanpur. Company officials said the new agreement with IRRPL would further reinforce India's domestic capabilities across the small-arms supply chain, aligning with the government's broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative for defence manufacturing.
The partnership also comes as Adani Defence continues to expand its broader footprint in India's defence sector, including a separate planned investment of Rs 2,500 crore in a missile manufacturing complex in Madhya Pradesh.
For the first time, the AK-203 programme will have both its rifles and its ammunition sourced entirely from within India under one coordinated supply framework — bringing together IRRPL's rifle production with Adani's ammunition manufacturing capabilities.
IRRPL was formed in 2019 through an intergovernmental agreement between India and Russia to manufacture AK-203 rifles for India's armed forces. The joint venture operates a manufacturing facility in Korwa, located in Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh, and includes Indian partners Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd and Munitions India Ltd, alongside Russian shareholders Concern Kalashnikov and Rosoboronexport.
India's Ministry of Defence designated IRRPL as the entity responsible for domestically producing the AK-203, and in December 2021 the government signed a contract for over 600,000 units to be manufactured at the Korwa plant.
Adani Defence has been building out its ammunition manufacturing capacity in India, anchored by a dedicated production facility in Kanpur. Company officials said the new agreement with IRRPL would further reinforce India's domestic capabilities across the small-arms supply chain, aligning with the government's broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative for defence manufacturing.
The partnership also comes as Adani Defence continues to expand its broader footprint in India's defence sector, including a separate planned investment of Rs 2,500 crore in a missile manufacturing complex in Madhya Pradesh.
