Indo-Russia Rifles - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 21:38, 15 October 2022
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	{{Infobox company		{{Infobox company
	\| name = Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited		\| name = Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited
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	\| key_people =		\| key_people =
	\| industry = [[Defense contractor\|Defence]]		\| industry = [[Defense contractor\|Defence]]
	\| products = [[~~Small arms~~]]		\| products = [[AK-203]]
	\| owners = {{ubl\|[[Ordnance Factory Board]] (50.5%)\|[[Kalashnikov Concern]] (42%)\|[[Rosoboronexport]] (7.5%)}}		\| owners = {{ubl\|[[Ordnance Factory Board]] (50.5%)\|[[Kalashnikov Concern]] (42%)\|[[Rosoboronexport]] (7.5%)}}
	\| num_employees =		\| num_employees =
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	\| website = <!-- {{URL\|example.com}} -->		\| website = <!-- {{URL\|example.com}} -->
	}}		}}
	'''Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited''' (IRRPL) is a rifle-manufacturing facility in [[Korwa, Uttar Pradesh\|Korwa]], [[Amethi district]] in the Indian state of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The factory will manufacture the [[AK-100 (rifle family)\|AK-~~203~~ variant]] of the [[Kalashnikov family]] of rifles. The factory is a joint-venture of the [[Ordnance Factory Board]] of India and [[Kalashnikov Concern]] of Russia, with [[Rosoboronexport]] holding a minority stake and will produce 750,000 AK-~~203s~~, a 7.62×39mm variant from the AK-100 family.{{~~Citation needed~~\|date=~~May~~ 2021}}		'''Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited''' (IRRPL) is a rifle-manufacturing facility in [[Korwa, Uttar Pradesh\|Korwa]], [[Amethi district]] in the Indian state of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The factory will manufacture the [[AK-100 (rifle family)\|AK-200 variant]] of the [[Kalashnikov family]] of rifles. The factory is a joint-venture of the [[Ordnance Factory Board]] of India and [[Kalashnikov Concern]] of Russia, with [[Rosoboronexport]] holding a minority stake and will produce 750,000 [[AK-203]], a 7.62×39mm variant from the AK-100 family.<ref>{{cite news \| url =https://theprint.in/defence/india-and-russia-set-to-close-deal-for-over-6-lakh-ak-203-rifles-production-to-start-soon/492219/ \| title =India and Russia set to close deal for over 6 lakh AK 203 rifles, production to start soon \| website =The Print \| first =SNEHESH ALEX \| last =PHILIP \| date=
			31 August 2020 \| access-date =2 August 2021 \| url-status=live}}</ref>

	==Ownership==		==Ownership==
	The factory is a [[joint venture]] between three companies. The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) owns the controlling stakes of 50.5% while Kalashnikov owns 42% stake followed by 7.5% stake owned by Rosonboronexport. An Indian CEO from the Indian Army leads the company.<ref name="theprint1">{{cite news \|last1=Philip \|first1=Snehesh Alex \|title=PM Modi inaugurates Indo-Russian joint venture, which will end Army’s long quest for rifles \|url=https://theprint.in/defence/pm-modi-inaugurates-indo-russian-joint-venture-which-will-end-armys-long-quest-for-rifles/200792/ \|accessdate=4 March 2019 \|work=The Print \|date=3 March ~~2019~~}}</ref> The Army has appointed Major General Sanjeev Sengar as the Chief Executive Officer.<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Philip \|first1=Snehesh Alex \|title=Army chief’s new experiment — Major General is CEO of AK-203 rifle factory in Amethi \|url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-chiefs-new-experiment-major-general-is-ceo-of-ak-203-rifle-factory-in-amethi/259019/ \|accessdate=12 January 2020 \|work=ThePrint \|date=5 July ~~2019~~}}</ref>		The factory is a [[joint venture]] between three companies. The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) owns the controlling stakes of 50.5% while Kalashnikov owns 42% stake followed by 7.5% stake owned by Rosonboronexport. An Indian CEO from the Indian Army leads the company.<ref name="theprint1">{{cite news \|last1=Philip \|first1=Snehesh Alex \|title=PM Modi inaugurates Indo-Russian joint venture, which will end Army’s long quest for rifles \|url=https://theprint.in/defence/pm-modi-inaugurates-indo-russian-joint-venture-which-will-end-armys-long-quest-for-rifles/200792/ \|accessdate=4 March 2019 \|work=The Print \|date=3 March 2022}}</ref> The Army has appointed Major General Sanjeev Sengar as the Chief Executive Officer.<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Philip \|first1=Snehesh Alex \|title=Army chief’s new experiment — Major General is CEO of AK-203 rifle factory in Amethi \|url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-chiefs-new-experiment-major-general-is-ceo-of-ak-203-rifle-factory-in-amethi/259019/ \|accessdate=12 January 2020 \|work=ThePrint \|date=5 July 2022}}</ref>

	== Background ==		== Background ==
	Since the late 1950s, the Indian armed forces had been equipped with a locally produced licensed copy<ref>"UK and Commonwealth FALs, by R. Blake Stevens, Collector Grade Publications, 1980, pages 231–233</ref> of the [[L1A1 self-loading rifle]]s.<ref name="Cutshaw2011">{{cite book\|author=Charles Q. Cutshaw\|title=Tactical Small Arms of the 21st Century: A Complete Guide to Small Arms From Around the World\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wcsDuwEACAAJ\|accessdate=28 May 2014\|date=28 February 2011\|publisher=Gun Digest Books\|isbn=1-4402-2482-X\|page=207}}</ref> In mid-1980s, the decision was taken to develop a 5.56×45mm NATO calibre rifle to replace the obsolete rifles. Trials on various prototypes based on the [[AKM]] were carried out by the [[Armament Research and Development Establishment]] (ARDE) in [[Pune]]. On the completion of the trial, The [[INSAS rifle\|Indian Small Arms System]] (INSAS) was adopted in 1990, becoming the standard issue assault rifle of the Indian infantry. However, to phase out the still in use bolt-action [[Lee–Enfield]] rifles as quickly as possible, India had to acquire 100,000 7.62×39mm AKM-type rifles from Russia, Hungary, Romania and Israel in 1990–92.<ref name="Walter2006">{{cite book\|author=John Walter\|title=Rifles of the World\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6x0tuQEACAAJ\|accessdate=28 May 2014\|date=25 March 2006\|publisher=Krause Publications\|isbn=0-89689-241-7\|pages=209–210}}</ref>		Since the late 1950s, the Indian armed forces had been equipped with a locally produced licensed copy<ref>"UK and Commonwealth FALs, by R. Blake Stevens, Collector Grade Publications, 1980, pages 231–233</ref> of the [[L1A1 self-loading rifle]]s.<ref name="Cutshaw2011">{{cite book\|author=Charles Q. Cutshaw\|title=Tactical Small Arms of the 21st Century: A Complete Guide to Small Arms From Around the World\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wcsDuwEACAAJ\|accessdate=28 May 2014\|date=28 February 2011\|publisher=Gun Digest Books\|isbn=1-4402-2482-X\|page=207}}</ref> In mid-1980s, the decision was taken to develop a 5.56×45mm NATO calibre rifle to replace the obsolete rifles. Trials on various prototypes based on the [[AKM]] were carried out by the [[Armament Research and Development Establishment]] (ARDE) in [[Pune]]. On the completion of the trial, The [[INSAS rifle\|Indian Small Arms System]] (INSAS) was adopted in 1990, becoming the standard issue assault rifle of the Indian infantry. However, to phase out the still in use bolt-action [[Lee–Enfield]] rifles as quickly as possible, India had to acquire 100,000 7.62×39mm AKM-type rifles from Russia, Hungary, Romania and Israel in 1990–92.<ref name="Walter2006">{{cite book\|author=John Walter\|title=Rifles of the World\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6x0tuQEACAAJ\|accessdate=28 May 2014\|date=25 March 2006\|publisher=Krause Publications\|isbn=0-89689-241-7\|pages=209–210}}</ref>

	The INSAS was initially built with features borrowed from several different rifles and was not made to meet the specific requirements of the Indian security forces. This amalgamated design while serving the Army for over 30 years, has started to fall behind the needs of modern warfare.<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Datta\|first=Saikat\|title=Why is the Indian Army still using outdated assault rifles designed in the 1980s?\|url=https://scroll.in/article/842307/why-is-the-indian-army-still-using-outdated-assault-rifles-designed-in-the-1980s\|access-date=2020-06-26\|website=Scroll.in\|language=en-US}}</ref> In recent years the rifle has come under increasing scrutiny, with several issues, surfacing from frontline forces that have inhibited operational capabilities. For example, the plastic magazine of the rifle has repeatedly cracked under cold weather conditions and has reportedly even overheated during long battles leading to malfunctions, making it an unreliable choice for a standard issue rifle.<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Beckhusen\|first=Robert\|date=2016-08-31\|title=India’s Anti-Terror Troops Despise Their Assault Rifle\|url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/indias-anti-terror-troops-despise-their-assault-rifle-3fcafa392aaa\|access-date=2020-06-26\|website=Medium\|language=en}}</ref> Due to these repeated downfalls, In April 2015, the Indian government even had to replace some INSAS rifles of the [[CRPF]] with AKM variants to ensure greater success in the CRPF's fight against [[Naxalites]].<ref name="AK-47sTeethPio">{{cite news\|title=AK-47s to arm CRPF to teeth\|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/ak-47s-to-arm-crpf-to-teeth.html\|accessdate=23 February 2016\|work=Daily Pioneer\|date=25 April ~~2015~~}}</ref> Therefore, owing to these failures and the changing needs of the armed forces, it was announced in early 2017 that the INSAS rifles would be retired and replaced by a weapon capable of firing the larger [[7.62×51mm NATO]] cartridges.<ref name="RetirementAndReplacement">{{cite news\|title=INSAS rifles to retire; to be replaced by imported weapons\|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/insas-rifles-to-retire-to-be-replaced-by-imported-weapons/articleshow/57479939.cms\|accessdate=16 April 2017\|date=5 March 2017\|work=The Economic Times}}</ref>		The INSAS was initially built with features borrowed from several different rifles and was not made to meet the specific requirements of the Indian security forces. This amalgamated design while serving the Army for over 30 years, has started to fall behind the needs of modern warfare.<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Datta\|first=Saikat\|title=Why is the Indian Army still using outdated assault rifles designed in the 1980s?\|url=https://scroll.in/article/842307/why-is-the-indian-army-still-using-outdated-assault-rifles-designed-in-the-1980s\|access-date=2020-06-26\|website=Scroll.in\|language=en-US}}</ref> In recent years the rifle has come under increasing scrutiny, with several issues, surfacing from frontline forces that have inhibited operational capabilities. For example, the plastic magazine of the rifle has repeatedly cracked under cold weather conditions and has reportedly even overheated during long battles leading to malfunctions, making it an unreliable choice for a standard issue rifle.<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Beckhusen\|first=Robert\|date=2016-08-31\|title=India’s Anti-Terror Troops Despise Their Assault Rifle\|url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/indias-anti-terror-troops-despise-their-assault-rifle-3fcafa392aaa\|access-date=2020-06-26\|website=Medium\|language=en}}</ref> It has been observed that militants in Kashmir are drugged which leads to them being capable of taking a 5.56×45mm bullet and still being able to fight. Thats why the army is now using AK variants in Kashmir. Due to these repeated downfalls, In April 2015, the Indian government even had to replace some INSAS rifles of the [[CRPF]] with AKM variants to ensure greater success in the CRPF's fight against [[Naxalites]].<ref name="AK-47sTeethPio">{{cite news\|title=AK-47s to arm CRPF to teeth\|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/ak-47s-to-arm-crpf-to-teeth.html\|accessdate=23 February 2016\|work=Daily Pioneer\|date=25 April 2022}}</ref> Therefore, owing to these failures and the changing needs of the armed forces, it was announced in early 2017 that the INSAS rifles would be retired and replaced by a weapon capable of firing the larger [[7.62×51mm NATO]] cartridges.<ref name="RetirementAndReplacement">{{cite news\|title=INSAS rifles to retire; to be replaced by imported weapons\|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/insas-rifles-to-retire-to-be-replaced-by-imported-weapons/articleshow/57479939.cms\|accessdate=16 April 2017\|date=5 March 2017\|work=The Economic Times}}</ref>

	As part of the replacement process, the new Kalashnikov rifle was to be made in a joint venture production facility located in [[Amethi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite news \|title=In Amethi, PM Modi To Dedicate A Firm For Manufacturing AK Assault Rifles \|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-amethi-pm-modi-to-dedicate-a-firm-for-manufacturing-ak-assault-rifles-2001713 \|accessdate=4 March 2019 \|work=NDTV \|agency=ANI \|date=22 March ~~2019~~}}</ref> The factory manufactures the AK-203 variant of the [[Kalashnikov family]] of rifles, which along with the [[SIG716]], manufactured ~~with~~ by United States-based [[SIG Sauer]] will replace the INSAS rifles as well as the AK-47s.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Shukla\|first1=Ajai\|title=PM Modi inaugurates India-Russia JV to build Kalashnikov rifles in Amethi\|work=Business Standard\|issue=4 March 2019\|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/pm-modi-inaugurates-india-russia-jv-to-build-kalashnikov-rifles-in-amethi-119030300508_1.html\|accessdate=4 March ~~2019~~}}</ref> The ~~AK-203 along with the~~ first batch of 10,000 SIG Sauer rifles were delivered in December 2019.<ref name="indtodaysig716">{{cite news \|last1=Negi \|first1=Manjeet Singh \|title=Indian Army received first batch American assault rifles for operations in Jammu and Kashmir \|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-american-sig-sauer-assault-rifles-jammu-and-kashmir-1627274-2019-12-11 \|accessdate=11 December 2019 \|work=India Today \|date=11 December 2019 \|language=en}}</ref>		As part of the replacement process, the new Kalashnikov rifle was to be made in a joint venture production facility located in [[Amethi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite news \|title=In Amethi, PM Modi To Dedicate A Firm For Manufacturing AK Assault Rifles \|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-amethi-pm-modi-to-dedicate-a-firm-for-manufacturing-ak-assault-rifles-2001713 \|accessdate=4 March 2019 \|work=NDTV \|agency=ANI \|date=22 March 2022}}</ref> The factory manufactures the [[AK-203]] variant of the [[Kalashnikov family]] of rifles, which along with the [[SIG716]], manufactured by United States-based [[SIG Sauer]] will replace the INSAS rifles as well as the AK-47s.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Shukla\|first1=Ajai\|title=PM Modi inaugurates India-Russia JV to build Kalashnikov rifles in Amethi\|work=Business Standard\|issue=4 March 2019\|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/pm-modi-inaugurates-india-russia-jv-to-build-kalashnikov-rifles-in-amethi-119030300508_1.html\|accessdate=4 March 2022}}</ref> The first batch of 10,000 SIG Sauer rifles were delivered in December 2019.<ref name="indtodaysig716">{{cite news \|last1=Negi \|first1=Manjeet Singh \|title=Indian Army received first batch American assault rifles for operations in Jammu and Kashmir \|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-american-sig-sauer-assault-rifles-jammu-and-kashmir-1627274-2019-12-11 \|accessdate=11 December 2019 \|work=India Today \|date=11 December 2019 \|language=en}}</ref>

	==Product==		==Product==
	The IRRPL has been licensed to produce 750,000 AK-203 assault rifles chambered for 7.62×39mm. The AK-203 is a modernized 200 series [[AK-103]] variant and one of the modern derivatives of the Russian [[Kalashnikov rifle\|AK-Pattern]] series of assault rifles. The 200 series are technically based on the [[AK-100 (rifle family)\|AK-100 family]] and the more expensive [[AK-12]] rifle family.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/ak-200-2/\|title=200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)\|website=modernfirearms.net\|date=}}</ref> The AK-203 is reported as the ~~latest and most advanced~~ version of ~~the most abundant firearm in the world,~~ the [[AK-47]] assault rifle.<ref name="Indian Express">{{cite news\|title=Explained: The new AK-203, and its legendary ancestor, the AK-47\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-the-new-ak-203-and-its-legendary-ancestor-the-ak-47-5611205/\|accessdate=5 March 2019\|work=The Indian Express\|date=5 March 2019\|language=en-IN}}</ref>		The IRRPL has been licensed to produce 750,000 [[AK-203]] assault rifles chambered for 7.62×39mm. The AK-203 is a modernized 200 series [[AK-103]] variant and one of the modern derivatives of the Russian [[Kalashnikov rifle\|AK-Pattern]] series of assault rifles. The 200 series are technically based on the [[AK-100 (rifle family)\|AK-100 family]] and the more expensive [[AK-12]] rifle family.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/ak-200-2/\|title=200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)\|website=modernfirearms.net\|date=}}</ref> The AK-203 is reported as the newest version of the [[AK-47]] assault rifle.<ref name="Indian Express">{{cite news\|title=Explained: The new AK-203, and its legendary ancestor, the AK-47\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-the-new-ak-203-and-its-legendary-ancestor-the-ak-47-5611205/\|accessdate=5 March 2019\|work=The Indian Express\|date=5 March 2019\|language=en-IN}}</ref>

	During the Defence Expo 2020 in Lucknow, Major General Sengar announced that the IRRPL facility in Amethi would produce 75,000 AK-203 annually for 10 years.		During the Defence Expo 2020 in Lucknow, Major General Sengar announced that the IRRPL facility in Amethi would produce 75,000 AK-203 annually for 10 years.

	~~Product specifications for the AK-203:~~		It was announced that 670,000 AK-203 rifles will be produced for the Indian military.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Philip\|first=Snehesh Alex\|date=31 August 2020\|title=India and Russia set to close deal for over 6 lakh AK 203 rifles, production to start soon\|work=ThePrint\|url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-and-russia-set-to-close-deal-for-over-6-lakh-ak-203-rifles-production-to-start-soon/492219/\|url-status=live\|access-date=25 September 2022}}</ref>

	* 3.8 kg mass (without accessories and an empty magazine)
	* 800 m range
	* 700 r/min firing rate
	* 415 mm barrel length
	* collapsible buttstock
	* 943 mm total length and 704 mm with the stock folded
	* 30 round standard plastic magazine.<ref>{{cite web\|last=\|first=\|date=14 February 2020\|title=AK-203 to become organic assault rifle of Indian armed forces\|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2020_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/ak-203_to_become_organic_assault_rifle_of_indian_armed_forces.html\|url-status=live\|archive-url=\|archive-date=\|access-date=2020-06-26\|website=www.armyrecognition.com}}</ref>

	It was announced that 670,000 AK-203 rifles will be produced for the Indian military.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Philip\|first=Snehesh Alex\|date=31 August 2020\|title=India and Russia set to close deal for over 6 lakh AK 203 rifles, production to start soon\|work=ThePrint\|url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-and-russia-set-to-close-deal-for-over-6-lakh-ak-203-rifles-production-to-start-soon/492219/\|url-status=live\|access-date=25 September ~~2020~~}}</ref>

	== References ==		== References ==

2A02:C7F:310D:B200:4DFA:5FBA:F66F:C5A1: /* Product */Improved organisation.

2021-05-09T12:16:05Z

Product: Improved organisation.

New page

{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited
| logo = https://roe.ru/eng/catalog/land-forces/strelkovoe-oruzhie/assault-rifles-/ak203/
| type =
| fate =
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| founded = 
| founder = 
| defunct = 
| hq_location_city = [[Korwa, Uttar Pradesh|Korwa]], [[Amethi]]
| hq_location_country = India
| area_served = 
| key_people =
| industry = [[Defense contractor|Defence]]
| products = [[Small arms]]
| owners = {{ubl|[[Ordnance Factory Board]] (50.5%)|[[Kalashnikov Concern]] (42%)|[[Rosoboronexport]] (7.5%)}}
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year = 
| parent =
| website = 
}}
'''Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited''' (IRRPL) is a rifle-manufacturing facility in [[Korwa, Uttar Pradesh|Korwa]], [[Amethi district]] in the Indian state of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The factory will manufacture the [[AK-100 (rifle family)|AK-203 variant]] of the [[Kalashnikov family]] of rifles. The factory is a joint-venture of the [[Ordnance Factory Board]] of India and [[Kalashnikov Concern]] of Russia, with [[Rosoboronexport]] holding a minority stake and will produce 750,000 AK-203s, a 7.62×39mm variant from the AK-100 family.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

==Ownership==
The factory is a [[joint venture]] between three companies. The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) owns the controlling stakes of 50.5% while Kalashnikov owns 42% stake followed by 7.5% stake owned by Rosonboronexport. An Indian CEO from the Indian Army leads the company.<ref name="theprint1">{{cite news |last1=Philip |first1=Snehesh Alex |title=PM Modi inaugurates Indo-Russian joint venture, which will end Army’s long quest for rifles |url=https://theprint.in/defence/pm-modi-inaugurates-indo-russian-joint-venture-which-will-end-armys-long-quest-for-rifles/200792/ |accessdate=4 March 2019 |work=The Print |date=3 March 2019}}</ref> The Army has appointed Major General Sanjeev Sengar as the Chief Executive Officer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Philip |first1=Snehesh Alex |title=Army chief’s new experiment — Major General is CEO of AK-203 rifle factory in Amethi |url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-chiefs-new-experiment-major-general-is-ceo-of-ak-203-rifle-factory-in-amethi/259019/ |accessdate=12 January 2020 |work=ThePrint |date=5 July 2019}}</ref>

== Background ==
Since the late 1950s, the Indian armed forces had been equipped with a locally produced licensed copy<ref>"UK and Commonwealth FALs, by R. Blake Stevens, Collector Grade Publications, 1980, pages 231–233</ref> of the [[L1A1 self-loading rifle]]s.<ref name="Cutshaw2011">{{cite book|author=Charles Q. Cutshaw|title=Tactical Small Arms of the 21st Century: A Complete Guide to Small Arms From Around the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wcsDuwEACAAJ|accessdate=28 May 2014|date=28 February 2011|publisher=Gun Digest Books|isbn=1-4402-2482-X|page=207}}</ref> In mid-1980s, the decision was taken to develop a 5.56×45mm NATO calibre rifle to replace the obsolete rifles. Trials on various prototypes based on the [[AKM]] were carried out by the [[Armament Research and Development Establishment]] (ARDE) in [[Pune]]. On the completion of the trial, The [[INSAS rifle|Indian Small Arms System]] (INSAS) was adopted in 1990, becoming the standard issue assault rifle of the Indian infantry. However, to phase out the still in use bolt-action [[Lee–Enfield]] rifles as quickly as possible, India had to acquire 100,000 7.62×39mm AKM-type rifles from Russia, Hungary, Romania and Israel in 1990–92.<ref name="Walter2006">{{cite book|author=John Walter|title=Rifles of the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6x0tuQEACAAJ|accessdate=28 May 2014|date=25 March 2006|publisher=Krause Publications|isbn=0-89689-241-7|pages=209–210}}</ref>

The INSAS was initially built with features borrowed from several different rifles and was not made to meet the specific requirements of the Indian security forces. This amalgamated design while serving the Army for over 30 years, has started to fall behind the needs of modern warfare.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Datta|first=Saikat|title=Why is the Indian Army still using outdated assault rifles designed in the 1980s?|url=https://scroll.in/article/842307/why-is-the-indian-army-still-using-outdated-assault-rifles-designed-in-the-1980s|access-date=2020-06-26|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref> In recent years the rifle has come under increasing scrutiny, with several issues, surfacing from frontline forces that have inhibited operational capabilities. For example, the plastic magazine of the rifle has repeatedly cracked under cold weather conditions and has reportedly even overheated during long battles leading to malfunctions, making it an unreliable choice for a standard issue rifle.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Beckhusen|first=Robert|date=2016-08-31|title=India’s Anti-Terror Troops Despise Their Assault Rifle|url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/indias-anti-terror-troops-despise-their-assault-rifle-3fcafa392aaa|access-date=2020-06-26|website=Medium|language=en}}</ref> Due to these repeated downfalls, In April 2015, the Indian government even had to replace some INSAS rifles of the [[CRPF]] with AKM variants to ensure greater success in the CRPF's fight against [[Naxalites]].<ref name="AK-47sTeethPio">{{cite news|title=AK-47s to arm CRPF to teeth|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/ak-47s-to-arm-crpf-to-teeth.html|accessdate=23 February 2016|work=Daily Pioneer|date=25 April 2015}}</ref> Therefore, owing to these failures and the changing needs of the armed forces, it was announced in early 2017 that the INSAS rifles would be retired and replaced by a weapon capable of firing the larger [[7.62×51mm NATO]] cartridges.<ref name="RetirementAndReplacement">{{cite news|title=INSAS rifles to retire; to be replaced by imported weapons|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/insas-rifles-to-retire-to-be-replaced-by-imported-weapons/articleshow/57479939.cms|accessdate=16 April 2017|date=5 March 2017|work=The Economic Times}}</ref>

As part of the replacement process, the new Kalashnikov rifle was to be made in a joint venture production facility located in [[Amethi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite news |title=In Amethi, PM Modi To Dedicate A Firm For Manufacturing AK Assault Rifles |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-amethi-pm-modi-to-dedicate-a-firm-for-manufacturing-ak-assault-rifles-2001713 |accessdate=4 March 2019 |work=NDTV |agency=ANI |date=22 March 2019}}</ref> The factory manufactures the AK-203 variant of the [[Kalashnikov family]] of rifles, which along with the [[SIG716]], manufactured with by United States-based [[SIG Sauer]] will replace the INSAS rifles as well as the AK-47s.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shukla|first1=Ajai|title=PM Modi inaugurates India-Russia JV to build Kalashnikov rifles in Amethi|work=Business Standard|issue=4 March 2019|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/pm-modi-inaugurates-india-russia-jv-to-build-kalashnikov-rifles-in-amethi-119030300508_1.html|accessdate=4 March 2019}}</ref> The AK-203 along with the first batch of 10,000 SIG Sauer rifles were delivered in December 2019.<ref name="indtodaysig716">{{cite news |last1=Negi |first1=Manjeet Singh |title=Indian Army received first batch American assault rifles for operations in Jammu and Kashmir |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-american-sig-sauer-assault-rifles-jammu-and-kashmir-1627274-2019-12-11 |accessdate=11 December 2019 |work=India Today |date=11 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

==Product==
The IRRPL has been licensed to produce 750,000 AK-203 assault rifles chambered for 7.62×39mm. The AK-203 is a modernized 200 series [[AK-103]] variant and one of the modern derivatives of the Russian [[Kalashnikov rifle|AK-Pattern]] series of assault rifles. The 200 series are technically based on the [[AK-100 (rifle family)|AK-100 family]] and the more expensive [[AK-12]] rifle family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/ak-200-2/|title=200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)|website=modernfirearms.net|date=}}</ref> The AK-203 is reported as the latest and most advanced version of the most abundant firearm in the world, the [[AK-47]] assault rifle.<ref name="Indian Express">{{cite news|title=Explained: The new AK-203, and its legendary ancestor, the AK-47|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-the-new-ak-203-and-its-legendary-ancestor-the-ak-47-5611205/|accessdate=5 March 2019|work=The Indian Express|date=5 March 2019|language=en-IN}}</ref>

During the Defence Expo 2020 in Lucknow, Major General Sengar announced that the IRRPL facility in Amethi would produce 75,000 AK-203 annually for 10 years.

Product specifications for the AK-203:

* 3.8 kg mass (without accessories and an empty magazine)
* 800 m range
* 700 r/min firing rate
* 415 mm barrel length
* collapsible buttstock
* 943 mm total length and 704 mm with the stock folded
* 30 round standard plastic magazine.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=14 February 2020|title=AK-203 to become organic assault rifle of Indian armed forces|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2020_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/ak-203_to_become_organic_assault_rifle_of_indian_armed_forces.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-06-26|website=www.armyrecognition.com}}</ref>

It was announced that 670,000 AK-203 rifles will be produced for the Indian military.<ref>{{cite news|last=Philip|first=Snehesh Alex|date=31 August 2020|title=India and Russia set to close deal for over 6 lakh AK 203 rifles, production to start soon|work=ThePrint|url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-and-russia-set-to-close-deal-for-over-6-lakh-ak-203-rifles-production-to-start-soon/492219/|url-status=live|access-date=25 September 2020}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkCcc1Ah86Y Demonstration of Kalashnikov AK 203] by Kalashnikov Concern.

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[[Category:India–Russia relations]]
[[Category:Firearm manufacturers of India]]
[[Category:Defence companies of India]]
[[Category:Manufacturing plants in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 2019]]
[[Category:Joint ventures]]
[[Category:2019 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 2019]]