By the end of this year, an Indo-Russian joint venture will start producing AK-203 assault rifles at a facility in Uttar Pradesh, according to a senior Russian official. The Russian-made Kalashnikov assault rifles will be produced in the Korwa Ordinance Factory in the Amethi district by Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited, which was founded in 2019.
“The Korwa Ordnance Factory is ready to start manufacturing Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles by the end of 2022,” said Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev. Russia’s state defense entity, Rosoboronexport, is in charge of managing several significant military initiatives, including those in foreign countries.
“Our plans include 100 percent localization of the production of legendary Russian assault rifles in India,” Mikheev said.
“In the future, the joint venture may increase production and modernize facilities to manufacture advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform,” he further said. The AK-203 rifles are equipped with integral Picatinny rails for the convenient and simple mounting of sights and tactical accessories, allowing for the effective use of weapons in a variety of conditions, said Rosoboronexport.
The company is attending Gandhinagar’s five-day DefExpo, which started on October 18.
“During the exhibition, Rosoboronexport will discuss with the Indian side the production and supply of AK-203 for the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies of the country,” the company said in a statement.
