The Russian-Indian joint venture Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited has begun production of AK-203 assault rifles in India, said Alexander Mikheev, General Director of Rosoboronexport (ROE).  

“At the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethy, Uttar Pradesh, the first batch of AK-203 7.62mm Kalashnikov assault rifles has been produced.

The start of deliveries to the Indian army is expected in the near future.

At the same time, the capacity of the plant makes it possible to fully equip the personnel of other power structures of India with AK-203 assault rifles, which, due to their high adaptability, are suitable for various operators,” Mikheev emphasized.

In addition, according to the director general of ROE, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited will be able to export its products to third countries.

The founders of the joint venture from the Russian side are Rosoboronexport and the Kalashnikov Concern (part of the Rostec State Corporation), and from India, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and Munitions India Limited participate in the project.

According to the ROE, the production plans of the Russian-Indian enterprise "include 100% localization of the production of AK-203 assault rifles in India."

In addition, in the future, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited may increase production and upgrade to produce promising models based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle, the state-owned company said in a press release.

They noted that Kalashnikov assault rifles of the 200th series retained all the advantages of the traditional AK scheme: reliability, durability and ease of maintenance.

“At the same time, they fully comply with the most modern requirements for small arms in the world, in terms of ergonomics and the possibility of using high-tech additional equipment,” Rosoboronexport emphasizes.

In turn, the head of the Rostec state corporation, Sergei Chemezov, commenting on the start of production of the AK-203 in India, noted that this machine gun is one of the best in the world in terms of its characteristics.

“With the launch of serial production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles, high-quality, convenient and modern small arms will begin to arrive in the power structures of India.

The model combines excellent ergonomics, adaptability to the user and high performance characteristics, it is one of the best models in the world, ”the ROE press service quotes Chemezov.

According to the military observer of the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, retired colonel Viktor Barants, India opted for the production of a Russian machine gun because of the high combat characteristics of this weapon.

“India knows and respects the virtues of the Kalashnikov assault rifle.

This country has one of the largest armies in the world, and it needs reliable weapons.

It is worth noting that the Russian assault rifle had serious competitors at the stage of project consideration, but in the end Kalashnikov won.

This machine appreciates the simplicity of the device, ease of maintenance, accuracy of fire.

The combination of these advantages led the Indian military to choose our machine gun, ”the analyst said in an interview with RT.

- For India, this is beneficial in that they received one of the best examples of small arms in the world.

For Russia, this is also useful, since in this way military cooperation with India is strengthened.

And this is happening despite the pressure of the West on New Delhi.”

Technological cooperation

Russia and India have been actively cooperating in the production and supply of weapons for a long time.

Currently, Moscow and New Delhi continue to implement projects in the field of military-technical cooperation (MTC).

Moreover, the current and prospective programs are based on “the maximum focus of the parties on technological cooperation, including on the basis of joint ventures, in the format of licensed production and joint R&D,” the Rosoboronexport website notes.

  • BrahMos missile launcher

  • AP

  • © Manish Swarup

One of the largest joint projects of Russia and India in the field of military-technical cooperation in recent years has been the creation of BrahMos cruise missiles.

They are designed to destroy surface or ground targets.

They were developed by the Russian-Indian company BrahMos Aerospace, founded by NPO Mashinostroeniya (Reutov) and the Defense Research and Development Organization of the Ministry of Defense of India.

At the moment, the company is working on the creation of a new supersonic cruise missile, which was named BrahMos NG.

According to the plans, the created ammunition will be more compact and lighter than the conventional BrahMos missile.

At the same time, BrahMos NG will retain such important characteristics as increased speed, range, lethality and stealth.

At first, it is planned to equip Su-30MKI fighters with BrahMos NG missiles, but, according to the managing director of BrahMos Aerospace Atul Rane, in the future they can be installed on other aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

In October 2022, Rahne reported that the BrahMos NG had already generated worldwide interest.

The start of qualification tests of ammunition is scheduled for 2024.

BrahMos Aerospace is also developing a hypersonic version of the missile, which will be called the BrahMos II.

As Atul Rane said earlier, the first tests of the prototype of this projectile could take place in five to six years.

"Partnership will develop"

In addition to joint projects for the production of BrahMos missiles and AK-203 assault rifles, Russia is supplying India with a number of important types of weapons, experts remind.

In particular, the Russian Federation is building project 11356 multi-purpose frigates for the Indian Navy. In the fall of 2021, the first such ship called Tushil was launched at the Yantar Baltic Shipyard.

In 2023, the second frigate of this project, Tamala, is expected to be launched.

In addition, a major contract is currently being implemented for the supply of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to New Delhi.

Under the terms of the agreement, India will receive five regimental air defense systems worth more than $5 billion.

  • Launching of the frigate Tushil

  • © JSC "OSK"

According to analysts, in the face of sanctions pressure, it is extremely important for the Russian Federation to maintain such cooperation with India.

“The Russian Federation benefits from such projects.

Especially in the context of the current confrontation with the West, ”Dmitry Kornev, founder of the Military Russia portal, said in a conversation with RT.

At the same time, the expert drew attention to the fact that India is a difficult partner and cooperation with it in the field of weapons production does not always go smoothly.

In particular, the prospects for New Delhi's participation in the program to create the first Indian fifth-generation FGFA fighter based on the Russian Su-57 remain unclear. 

In turn, the editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, Igor Korotchenko, in a commentary on RT, noted that, despite the difficulties, the partnership between Moscow and New Delhi is at a high level.

“India is our key partner and main buyer of Russian weapons.

According to this indicator, it ranks first.

Now Russian companies are implementing a number of major contracts.

Among them is the supply of the S-400 air defense system to New Delhi and the localization of the production of the AK-203 assault rifle in India.

Earlier, Russia built an aircraft-carrying cruiser for India, and also supplied T-90 tanks and Su-30MKI aircraft.

Despite pressure from the United States and Western countries, India, as a major independent player, continues to cooperate with Russia through military-technical cooperation.

Our partnership will develop and strengthen,” the analyst concluded.