Will complete order of AK-203 'Sher' rifles to armed forces 22 months ahead of schedule: IRRPL

100% of indigenisation of AK 203 rifles to be done by the end of 2025. (X/ANI image)

The delivery of 6.01 lakh AK-203 assault rifles to the armed forces will be completed by the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) nearly 22 months ahead of schedule, the company said on Thursday. The joint venture company manufactures AK-203 assault rifles in Korwa town near Uttar Pradesh's Amethi.

PTI reported that the company — which has been mandated under a Rs 5,200 crore contract to supply 6,01,427 rifles to the armed forces by October 2032 — plans to finish deliveries by December 2030, Maj Gen S K Sharma, CEO and Managing Director of IRRPL said.

Maj Gen S K Sharma said, "Around 48,000 rifles have been delivered so far. Another 7,000 will be handed over in the next two to three weeks and 15,000 additional by December this year."

"From 2026, the factory will produce 12,000 rifles a month, enabling completion of the order much before the deadline," he added.

The AK-203, a modernised version of the Kalashnikov series, will become the primary assault rifle for soldiers deployed along the northern and western borders, including the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control. The rifle, also named 'Sher' in India, replaces the INSAS in service.

#WATCH | Amethi, Uttar Pradesh: 100% of indigenisation of AK 203 rifles to be done by the end of 2025. pic.twitter.com/wlruZwmHq3— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2025

Initially, 70,000 rifles were imported to meet urgent requirements before full-scale production began at IRRPL under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

The joint venture, set up under an intergovernmental agreement and described as the "younger brother of BrahMos" by Maj Gen Sharma, has 50.5 per cent Indian shareholding and 49.5 per cent Russian stake.

It operates from an 8.5-acre facility in Amethi and is not a part of the erstwhile ordnance factories structure.

The workflow is overseen by a board of directors comprising four representatives each from India and Russia, besides senior defence officials. Below the CEO and MD are key roles including CFO, CTO, GMs for production, quality control, administration and business development.

Currently, the factory employs over 260 personnel, including permanent Russian experts, and aims to scale up staffing to 537, of which 90 per cent will be locals.

IRRPL has achieved 50 per cent indigenisation and aims to deliver the first fully indigenous AK-203 by December 2025, after which production will ramp up to 1.5 lakh rifles annually.

The company has received 100 per cent Transfer of Technology (ToT) from Russia, with all testing now indigenised. Earlier, parts had to be sent to Russia for validation, the CEO said.

Each rifle undergoes 120 processes - "every rifle goes through 120 hands", Maj Gen Sharma said - and comprises around 50 components and 180 sub-parts. It has a life of 15,000 rounds.

"Every material now has an alternate source in India," he added, noting that quality control is being developed into "one of the finest in the country".

After 100 per cent indigenisation the factory will be able to produce 600 rifles a day, or roughly one rifle every 100 seconds.

Around 60 types of critical components have already been indigenised, with vendors across India supplying parts that are assembled and tested at IRRPL.

When asked if the company aims to expand manufacturing beyond the AK-203 rifle, Maj Gen Sharma said "Yes we are expecting to expand, there are efforts in that direction. The intergovernmental agreement was very clear that this company will also produce other parts of the Kalashnikov Concern and AK 203 is just the entry product." He said IRRPL's vision is to emerge among the world's top five small arms manufacturers post-2032.

Exports will target friendly countries, he said, adding that the first export order is expected soon.

"Nothing will affect the vendors irrespective of embargoes," Maj Gen Sharma said.

Regarding Indo-Russia relationship he said "Indo-Russian relationship goes very deep. We're strategic partners and the this factory is just a feather in the cap." "Russia has always been there when we needed to them. Every Indian army officer can swear by the fact that once in their lifetime they've used Russian military products and they're very reliable. IRRPL is a niche project and it is important, with immense opportunities," Maj Gen Sharma further said.

"Frontline rifle will be AK-203," he asserted, adding that while initial output appears slow due to the indigenisation process, "from 2026 onwards, speed will increase dramatically".

IRRPL was incorporated in 2019 under an intergovernmental agreement to manufacture AK-203 assault rifles for the Indian Armed Forces. The joint venture brings together Russian partners Rosoboronexport and Concern Kalashnikov with Indian shareholders Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL).

Its operations are steered by a core team from the Indian Army, led by Maj Gen Sharma.

(With agency inputs)