Indo-Russian Joint Venture to Produce 600 AK-203 Rifles Per Day

Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) is set to increase its daily production from 300 to 600 rifles per day by April 2026 to meet its commitment to deliver 20,000 to the armed forces, company managing director Major General Sudhir Kumar Sharma told Russian media.

"We produce an average of 300 assault rifles per day and will probably increase this figure to 600 assault rifles per day," the former Indian Army officer said.

The first batch of 35,000 AK-203 rifles from IRRPL was delivered to the Indian Army in December 2023.

The rifles have undergone a series of quality tests since the production line was set up in the town of Amethi, including firing checks under the supervision of Russian specialists before the first AK-203 rifles were delivered, Sharma said.

He also explained how the technology for the rifles was transferred from Russia to India.

"We have decided that the entire process of technology transfer and manufacturing in India will be done in five stages, depending on the percentage of technology being transferred," Sharma said. "In stage one, we have only 5% of the components made in India. In stage two, 15% of the components, in stage three, 30% of the components, in stage four, 70% of the components, and in stage five, 100% of the components of the rifle will be made in India."

All five stages are to be completed within two years of the start of production, he added.

Sharma explained that while the initial 35,000 rifles produced in Amethi contained 5% locally-produced parts, the next 20,000 would see that increased to 15%.

"We are currently in the process of preparing the next 20,000 rifles with Indian components at the second stage level," he highlighted. "We intend to deliver them to the Indian Army by December 2024."

The IRRPL chief expressed confidence that the weapons would be 100% Indian-made by the end of next year.

"I expect to complete 100% localisation by December 2025. Today, the technologies are already being used in India," Sharma pointed out. "Last month, we received the last batch of technological documentation from Russia. Mastering technologies takes time."

Indo-Russian Relations

India Receives 35,000 AK-203 Rifles from Indo-Russian Joint Venture: Rostec

5 July, 11:25