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DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

  • 17 January, 2023

  • 5 Min Read

Kalashnikov AK-203 Assault Rifles

Kalashnikov AK-203 Assault Rifles

In recent times, an Indo-Russian joint venture in India has begun producing Kalashnikov AK-203 assault guns.

About AK-203 Assault Rifles:

  • The AK-200 series assault rifles of the renowned brand were first produced in India.
  • The first batch of 7.62 mm Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles was created at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Out of a total of 6,01,427 AK-203 rifles to be produced over a 10-year period for Rs 5,124 crore, the initial lot will consist of 5,000 of them.
  • Created: An Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the production of AK-203 assault rifles was signed by Russia and India in February 2019.
  • For this, a joint venture was established between Ordnance Factories Board (OFB) in India and Concern Kalashnikov and Rosonboron Exports in Russia.

Significance:

  • Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited complies fully with DAP (Defence Acquisition Procedure) 2020 and the Made in India programme of the Indian government.
  • It intends to guarantee complete localization of AK-203 rifle production in India.
  • The action will provide the Indian armed forces more weaponry.

Indian and Russian military cooperation:

  • The strategic partnership between India and Russia is based in large part on defence cooperation. The Programme for Military Technical Cooperation that the two nations signed serves as its foundation.
  • Currently active bilateral projects between India and Russia include the local production of T-90 tanks, Su-30-MKI aircraft, MiG-29-K aircraft, Kamov-31 and Mi-17 helicopters, MiG-29 aircraft modification, and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher Smerch delivery.
  • The only aircraft carrier used by India, INS Vikramaditya, is similarly Russian in origin.
  • The Indian Navy's first submarine, the "Foxtrot Class," was a gift from Russia, and Russia continues to play a significant role in helping the Indian Navy with its submarine programmes.
  • India's nuclear submarine programme is reliant on Russia.
  • Russian submarines make up nine of India's fourteen operational conventional submarines.

Source: The Economic Times


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