Army Prepares for 'Made in India' AK-203 Rollout, Intensive Training Begins

The Indian Army is rapidly modernizing its arsenal, and a key part of this effort is the adoption of the new AK-203 assault rifle.

Soldiers within the Indian Army's Central Command are leading the charge, undergoing intensive training at the Grenadiers Regimental Center in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

This training marks a significant milestone in the rifle's widespread rollout across the Indian military.

Indo-Russian Technology, Made in India​

The AK-203 represents a strategic partnership between India and Russia. Building upon the legendary reliability of the AK-47 platform, the AK-203 is manufactured in India under the government's "Make in India" initiative.

This not only bolsters Indian defense capabilities but also supports domestic manufacturing.

Key Improvements over Legacy Rifles​

The AK-203 boasts a range of upgrades over the AK-47 and INSAS rifles traditionally used by the Indian Army:

• Lighter Weight: At a mere 3.8 kilograms, the AK-203 provides soldiers with significantly improved maneuverability in the field.
• Enhanced Firepower: It has a blistering rate of fire at 700 rounds per minute, exceeding the INSAS by a considerable 50 rounds.
• Improved Accuracy: With an impressive effective range of approximately 800 meters, the AK-203 allows for more precise engagement of targets in combat scenarios.

Scaling Training for Widespread Adoption​

The soldiers undergoing training at the Grenadiers Regimental Center aren't just learning to use the rifle – they're poised to become instructors themselves.

This reflects India's commitment to the large-scale adoption of the AK-203, ensuring that soldiers from other army divisions and security forces are equipped with the knowledge and skills to operate this advanced weapon system.

Conclusion​

The AK-203 marks a new era for the Indian Army infantry soldier. Its combination of lightweight design, firepower, and accuracy represents a technological leap forward.

This upgrade positions the Indian armed forces for enhanced operational effectiveness and aligns with the country's goal of self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

 

[GMR]

Production start ho geya??? Or still shooting out the issues?? No information on prodn. status in the article

 

[Superpower Bharat]

This is really sad.. making nuclear submarines but procuring imported assault rifle

 

[NSR]

Where did this Zinger thrown from?

As recently as few months ago, its production was in doubt as Russia was demanding too much license fee for each rifle, and IA ordered another 70,000 of Sig Sauer 716 rifles from USA.

Must be a bogus article.

 

[CCPSmasher]

A country with this big and this much population can't build a competetieve assualt riflr. Freaking disgrace

 

[Sandeep]

This is really sad.. making nuclear submarines but procuring imported assault rifle

Blame the army who rejected every type of gun they developed. The OFB even made a copy of the AK 203 rifle but the army still rejected it. The different capabilities and technology requirements was so high that even modern and advanced guns developed from the west even failed.

 

[Sandeep]

Where did this Zinger thrown from?

As recently as few months ago, its production was in doubt as Russia was demanding too much license fee for each rifle, and IA ordered another 70,000 of Sig Sauer 716 rifles from USA.

Must be a bogus article.

The current situation is that Russia removed the royalty fee and decided to reduce the price for the gun even more. The army has already started to receive 70000 of the AK 203 guns and the rest will be made in India after all of the machinery, tools and equipment required to manufacture it in India. Hopefully they will start soon as there is a high demand for the gun.

The army imported a total of 140000 Sig rifles with two orders of 70000 guns each. Delivery had already started fairly quickly.

On all of our guns India needs to start placing long range optics so we can fire more accurately and quickly which will help a lot.

 

[Sandeep]

This should be the last gun that India ever imports and manufacture because its features, quality and technology are to the latest standard across the world. Most of the gun are going to be made in India with 100% of the technology transferred to us in the end but there will also be a large demand from all of the other paramilitary troops who only use the INSAS rifle.

All of those INSAS guns should of started to be replaced by the JVPC gun that passed all military trials and tests recently but no orders have been placed despite the JVPC outperforming all other guns and even piercing body armour. Also they used some ingenuity by developing a brand new calibre round called the MINSAS which reduced the recoil and allowed the shooter to accurately shoot by keeping that arm steady and have a reduced recoil strain.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

We should also make 1500 to 3000 meter range Sniper Rifles at Amethi factory !

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Production start ho geya??? Or still shooting out the issues?? No information on prodn. status in the article

Production hasn't started , initial batch from Russia came few months ago

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Effective firing range of 800 metres on an AK!!!!! They must be high or something. 🤣Assault rifles are for 200-300 metre range combat, specially then AK.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

We should also make 1500 to 3000 meter range Sniper Rifles at Amethi factory !

Very few succesful shots are made at the 1500-3000 metre range. No point of designing a rifle for that. Better to use light mortars at that range, cheaper and more effective solution.

 

[Hari Sud]

How many have been received or manufactured.

 

[Prem Kumar Nair]

Folks,

Manufacturing anything requires years of technology development and manufacturing prowess.

We do not have either in most areas of technology. Most of our projects use imported components for almost all key systems.

I am not blaming anyone, That's how it is. Even now we do not have enough funds for developing technology besides by the time we develop something the World would have gone ahead.

Catching up is difficult. But we are trying. It will take time.

Ask yourself if you would like to confront an enemy with a rifle that you are not sure will continue firing or get jammed at the critical moment.

Col Prem Kumar Nair (Retired)

 

[Chandrakanth Shetty]

We require quiet large of new AK rifle to be produced and personal trained to use effectively given all soldiers

 

[Chandrakanth Shetty]

Very few succesful shots are made at the 1500-3000 metre range. No point of designing a rifle for that. Better to use light mortars at that range, cheaper and more effective solution.

This rifle are nor long range.there is difference between sniper and rifles

 

[NSR]

The current situation is that Russia removed the royalty fee and decided to reduce the price for the gun even more.

Source of your post?
Not sure about this news as they were asking for more.
It has been years since the story broke...

 

[Hita Techi]

800m effective fire from a standard assault rifle is wishful thinking

 

[Sandeep]

Source of your post?
Not sure about this news as they were asking for more.
It has been years since the story broke...

Follow this link

Amethi factory: Russia waives royalty in favour of technology transfer, AK 203 assault rifle contract gets green signal

The plan to manufacture has been under discussion for almost two years, with the contract stipulating 100% transfer of technology and possible exports in future from the Indian plant. The Amethi factory in Amethi was inaugurated in 2019 but production is yet to commence.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

 

[alpha numeric]

Folks,

Manufacturing anything requires years of technology development and manufacturing prowess.

We do not have either in most areas of technology. Most of our projects use imported components for almost all key systems.

I am not blaming anyone, That's how it is. Even now we do not have enough funds for developing technology besides by the time we develop something the World would have gone ahead.

Catching up is difficult. But we are trying. It will take time.

Ask yourself if you would like to confront an enemy with a rifle that you are not sure will continue firing or get jammed at the critical moment.

Col Prem Kumar Nair (Retired)

Your optimism I fear is misplaced sir. We've been at this since the second half of last century and those who started out along the same with us(Singapore, South Korea, China, Turkey) all have vibrant and internationally competitive defence industrial complexes. While we have jack to show for. Our companies can't even sell ammunitions without engaging in moralistic castration of national interest.
(Sidenote: If Russians can sell their wares to the Chinese why should we restrain ourselves ?).
I dont see much hope for India as long as it remains a federal democracy. Late industrializing countries can't afford sanctimonious first world tirades like civil rights and democracy. Liberal elites might pat themselves over their grand achievements but that lot is useless to begin with, They created an impotent state that can't even properly discipline it's own organs and branches. Having fiefs run roughshod over central authority's policy dictats, because the central state is too weak(dejure decentralism/constitutional federalism) or statesmen too preoccupied with winning the next election and pleasing a populist, short sighted and frankly idiotic populace with cognitively challenged liberals on one end and blind poor excuse for nationalists on the other. Apologies for the rant.