A replica of the AK-203 on display at the IRRPL plant at Korwa. (India Sentinels photo)
Korwa, Amethi: The Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) has announced that India’s first fully indigenised AK-203 assault rifle will be delivered by December 31 this year. It will be christened “Sher” – the Hindi word for lion – when deliveries of the rifles start.
The announcement comes as IRRPL accelerates production under the landmark ₹5,200 crore contract signed with Russia in 2021 for 601,427 AK-203 rifles. The joint venture facility in Korwa in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district, has already delivered approximately 48,000 rifles to the Indian Army, all featuring 50 per cent indigenous content.
The choice of “Sher” as the rifle’s name carries deep cultural significance in India, where the lion represents courage, strength, and the protective instinct of a leader. Major General SK Sharma, the chief executive officer and managing director of IRRPL, emphasized that the first 100 per cent indigenized AK-203 rifle will be delivered on December 31, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in India’s defence self-reliance journey.
“We will deliver the first 100 per cent indigenised AK-203 rifle on December 31, 2025. It will be known as ‘Sher’,” Maj Gen Sharma, who is a serving Indian Army officer, stated, highlighting the symbolic importance of achieving complete technological independence in assault rifle manufacturing.
The IRRPL is set to significantly ramp up production, with plans to deliver 7,000 rifles over the next few weeks, and an additional 15,000 by December end. From 2026, the facility will produce 150,000 rifles annually, with 120,000 allocated to the Army and 30,000 reserved for paramilitary forces, state police, and exports to friendly nations.
The company remains confident of completing the entire contract by mid-2030, a remarkable 22 months ahead of the December 2032 deadline. IRRPL officials said this acceleration demonstrates India’s growing manufacturing capabilities and the success of the “Make in India” initiative in the defence sector.
Domestic and international interest
The success of the AK-203 programme has attracted significant attention beyond the Indian Army. Maj Gen Sharma revealed that 18 states and Union territories, along with various paramilitary forces, have approached IRRPL for rifle procurement. This domestic interest underscores the weapon’s versatility and reliability for different security applications.
Internationally, several countries from Southeast Asia and Africa have expressed interest in procuring the Indian-manufactured rifles, potentially establishing India as a significant small arms exporter. The export potential aligns with India’s broader strategic goal of becoming a defence manufacturing hub for friendly nations.
Technical Specifications
The AK-203 “Sher” represents a substantial improvement over its legendary predecessor, the AK-47. Weighing 3.8 kilograms without the magazine, it is notably lighter than the AK-47’s 4.3 kilograms, reducing soldier fatigue during extended operations. The rifle features telescopic buttstocks for improved ergonomics, enhanced recoil control systems, and compatibility with modern optical sights.
Chambered in the proven 7.62×39mm calibre, the AK-203 offers superior accuracy compared to Soviet-era weapons while maintaining the reliability that made the Kalashnikov series legendary. The improved sighting systems and lighter weight make it particularly effective for contemporary battlefield conditions, including counterterrorism operations and high-altitude warfare along India’s disputed borders.
The rifle’s design incorporates modern battlefield requirements while retaining the ruggedness and simplicity that have made Kalashnikov weapons globally popular. These characteristics make the AK-203 ideal for India’s diverse operational environments, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the high-altitude regions of Ladakh.
As the future mainstay of the Army’s infantry wing, the AK-203 “Sher” will gradually replace the ageing Insas rifles, which will provide the country’s soldiers with a world-class weapon system manufactured domestically. The project represents a significant milestone in India’s journey towards defence self-reliance and positions the country as an emerging player in the global small-arms market.
