| AK-203 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
| Designed | 2007–2010[1] |
| Manufacturer | |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.8 kg (8.4 lb)[2] |
| Length | 880–940 mm (35–37 in) (stock extended) |
| Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×39mm[2] |
| Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | ~700 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 730 m/s (2,395 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 400–800 m (440–870 yd)[2] (based on sight adjustments) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine[2] 50-round detachable quad-column magazine |
| Sights | Adjustable iron sights or picatinny rails for various optics |
The AK-203 is a Russian gas-operated, magazine-fed, select fire assault rifle designed to chamber the 7.62×39mm cartridge.[2] It is one of the latest iterations of the AK series of assault rifles originally designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. The AK-203 was developed in the 2010s by Kalashnikov Concern in Russia. The firearm was originally known as AK-103M before being renamed to AK-203 in 2019.
History
The prototype development of predecessor of AK-203 rifle, dubbed as AK-200 series began in 2007. The first prototype of AK-200 was developed and tested in 2010.[1] In 2013, for the Ratnik programme AK-200 was modified and renamed as AK-103-3. In 2016, AK-200 series project was revived and upgraded the AK-103-3 assault rifle prototype with KM-AK kit developed as part of the Obves programme.[1] The upgraded assault rifle prototype was initially designated as AK-300 and then as AK-100M and finally in 2019 as AK-203.[1]
India
The Indian Army is procuring 670,000 AK-203 assault rifles to replace the INSAS, through a contract with Russia. The first 70,000 rifles were purchased from Russia and delivered in January 2022. The remaining 600,000 rifles will be manufactured in Amethi, India under a transfer of technology agreement, by joint venture company Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL).
Users
India: Placed an order for 670,000 rifles,[3] around 70,000 would be purchased off the shelf, and the remaining 600,000 would be manufactured in India under ToT.[3] On 25 January 2022 first batch of 70,000 AK-203 delivered to Indian Armed Forces[4]
Russia: In limited use by Russian Special Forces
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Onokoy, Vlad (27 April 2019). "Kalashnikov AK-203: The New Assault Rifle of the Indian Army". Small Arms Defense Journal. Vol. 11, no. 4. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "7.62mm Kalashnikov Assault Rifle AK203 | Catalog Rosoboronexport". roe.ru. Rosoboronexport. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Siddiqui, Huma (23 August 2021). "Indian Army to buy AK-203 off the shelf from Russia". The Financial Express. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ↑ "Russia delivers all the contracted 70,000 AK-203 assault rifles to India".