India Proposes to Equip Nepal Infantry with Locally Produced AK-203 Assault Rifles, Phasing Out INSAS After Two Decades of Service

In a move aimed at strengthening military ties and promoting regional stability, India has proposed to equip the Nepal Army with 'Made in India' AK-203 assault rifles.

This initiative would replace the aging INSAS rifles, which have been the standard issue firearm for Nepalese soldiers since India began supplying them in 2001.

Since then, Nepal has received approximately 26,000 INSAS rifles under a subsidized arrangement with India, making it the second-largest operator of these rifles after the Indian Army.

However, the Indian Army itself is currently undergoing a modernization drive, phasing out older INSAS models in favour of the newer, indigenously manufactured AK-203 assault rifles.

The AK-203, a product of a joint venture between India and Russia, is manufactured at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. It boasts superior performance compared to the INSAS, particularly in terms of reliability, accuracy, and adaptability to diverse combat environments.

India now holds the export rights for the AK-203 and is actively promoting these rifles within the region. Offering them to Nepal signifies a continuation of the strong military cooperation between the two nations and showcases India's growing capability to produce high-quality, modern weaponry.

For Nepal, transitioning to the AK-203 would significantly upgrade the combat effectiveness and reliability of its infantry's primary weapon system.

This move offers several strategic advantages for India:

• Strengthening bilateral ties: It reinforces the close relationship between India and Nepal, contributing to regional stability.
• Promoting defence exports: It showcases India's capabilities as a defence manufacturer and opens potential avenues for future exports.
• Countering Chinese influence: It provides Nepal with a reliable alternative to Chinese-made weapons, potentially reducing reliance on Beijing.
• Enhancing interoperability: Equipping Nepal with the same rifles used by the Indian Army promotes greater interoperability between the two forces.

This proposal, if accepted, marks a significant step in modernizing the Nepal Army's infantry and further solidifies the defence cooperation between India and Nepal.

 

[Rohit Chaudhary]

At a time when our own army is in dire need of modern small arms, exporting them to other countries, especially at a subsidized cost, is the worst idea. And I also fear that if you value someone more than they deserve, they forget their worth and start disrespecting you, for example, Bangladesh.

 

[Kiran Kumar]

This is a foolish decision. India should offer it to friendly nations like Philippines, Thailand or other African nations and not to neighbors who are going with China. No to Nepal, B'Desh, Srilanka.

 

[swatkats_razor]

We are suffering for severe shortage of decent rifles for our own military and here we are offering to replace those of a nation which doesn't take our sovereignity seriously.

 

[Instant Karma]

Nepal does not need weapons anymore. Because the militants against whom Nepal Army was fighting is now running the country.

 

[sumeet biswas]

At a time when our own army is in dire need of modern small arms, exporting them to other countries, especially at a subsidized cost, is the worst idea.

Gun manufacturing happens very fast, don't worry
army already has received good amount of these guns already

 

[Taus Melek]

So, finally after all this time we learn that even India agrees that INSAS is a load of shlt. But what alternative is India offering - a Russian rifle built in India. Nepal can cut the middle man and buy the rifle directly from Russia!

 

[GMR]

Why not the products from SSS, Ugram also? Let Nepal Army choose the best for itself.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a brilliant deal between Russia and India. These guns are modern, accurate, reliable and effective so we should definitely offer to sell it to other countries. Now even our police or CAPF can buy a reliable gun that will increase our fire power as the ammunition is bigger and it will hit the target much more strongly.

To improve its accuracy even more then they should develop and install a scope on the gun which will allow our troops to open fire as soon as their enemy is spotted. Also we have developed an indigenous under barrel grenade launcher that can be installed on the AK and INSAS guns so we should start installing it on every gun now.