The long-pending AK-203 rifles deal with Russia, under Make in India, has got a move ahead. This is a major breakthrough on the eve of India's independence for our armed forces as well as the central police force.

The AK-203 is the latest and most advanced version of the AK-47 rifle, which will replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56x45 mm assault rifle.

Production of over 6 lakh Kalashnikov assault rifles would begin by the end of this year. The cost of these Make in India rifles would be a little less than the imported ones, the sources said.

After over a year of negotiation, India and Russia have agreed to the terms of manufacturing the AK-203 assault rifle in a VIP Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

The deal was first announced in 2018 amid tremendous excitement, but hit a roadblock over price negotiations, with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) quoting a higher price than the Russian product because of the extra man hours it would take and other issues.

The rifles will be manufactured in India as part of the joint venture Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), established between the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), the Kalashnikov Concern.

The OFB would own a majority stake of 50.5 per cent in IRRPL while the Kalashnikov Group would have a 42 per cent share.

There will be a Transfer of Technology, and importantly, no royalty for weapons made. Under the current agreement agreed upon, the cost of the rifle will come down, and for now, the quantity. The total cost is going to be about Rs 5,125 crore.

Image source: Army Technology