A.  INTRODUCTION:

  • The first batch of AK-203 assault rifles from Russia, totalling 27,000 units has been received by the Indian Army strengthening its arsenal.

B.  RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:

  • The acquisition of AK-203 rifles is a result of an agreement signed between India and Russia in July 2021.
  • As per the agreement, India will manufacture over 6.1 lakh AK-203 rifles with technology transfer from Russia.
  • To meet this objective, a joint venture, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) was established in 2019 in Korwa, Uttar Pradesh.
  • The IRRPL is a collaboration between Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL) from India and Rosoboronexport (RoE) and the Kalashnikov concern of Russia.
  • The eventual aim is to have 70% of the rifle's parts manufactured domestically within 2
  • The complete localisation of the rifles’ production is expected to be realised within the next 2 to 3 years.

C.  NATIONAL SECURITY CONTEXT:

  • The Indian Army is phasing out the INSAS (Indian National Small Arms System) rifles in favour of more advanced weaponry such as the AK-203.

D.  GK ELEMENTS:

1.  GEOGRAPHY & MILITARY:

Korwa in Uttar Pradesh, the joint venture site, becomes an important location in the defence manufacturing landscape of India.

2.  HISTORY:

This advancement in indigenous manufacturing marks a significant milestone in India's defence history, building up on the Indo-Russian defence ties.

3.  IMPORTANCE:

The in-house production would not simply ensure high-quality defence equipment for the Indian Army, it would also boost India's objective of self-reliance in defence production.

In Conclusion, this collaborative initiative not only strengthens the dining Indo-Russian bilateral defence relations but also poses a major advancement  in  India’s  journey  towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.