Indo-Russia Rifles

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Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited
Industry Defence
Founded2019;5 years ago (2019)
Headquarters
Korwa, Amethi
,
India
Key people
Major General SK Sharma, SM**, VSM (CEO&MD)
Products AK-203
Owners
Website https://irrpl.co.in/

Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) is a rifle-manufacturing facility in Korwa, Amethi district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Founded in 2019, the factory manufactures the AK-200 variant of the Kalashnikov family of rifles.

Contents

History

The Indian armed forces had been equipped with a locally produced licensed copy [1] of the L1A1 self-loading rifles from the late 1950s. [2] In the mid-1980s, a decision was taken to develop a 5.56×45mm NATO calibre rifle to replace the obsolete rifles. Trials on various prototypes based on the AKM were carried out by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune. On the completion of the trial, The Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) was adopted in 1990, becoming the standard-issue assault rifle of the Indian infantry. However, to phase out the still in use bolt-action Lee–Enfield rifles as quickly as possible, India had to acquire 100,000 7.62×39mm AKM-type rifles from Russia, Hungary, Romania and Israel in 1990–92. [3]

The INSAS was initially built with features borrowed from several different rifles and was not made to meet the specific requirements of the Indian security forces. This design, while serving the Army for over 30 years, started to fall behind the needs of modern warfare. [4] In recent years the rifle has come under increasing scrutiny, with several issues surfacing from frontline forces that have inhibited operational capabilities. For example, the plastic magazine of the rifle has repeatedly cracked under cold weather conditions and has reportedly even overheated during long battles leading to malfunctions, making it an unreliable choice for a standard-issue rifle. [5]

Due to these repeated downfalls, In April 2015, the Indian government had to replace some INSAS rifles of the CRPF with AKM variants to ensure greater success in the CRPF's fight against Naxalites. [6] Therefore, owing to these failures and the changing needs of the armed forces, it was announced in early 2017 that the INSAS rifles would be retired and replaced by a weapon capable of firing 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges. [7]

As part of the replacement process, the new Kalashnikov rifle is being made in a joint venture production facility located in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. [8] The factory manufactures the AK-203 variant of the Kalashnikov family of rifles, which along with the SIG716, manufactured by United States-based SIG Sauer will replace the INSAS rifles as well as various AK-47s. [9] The first batch of 10,000 SIG Sauer rifles were delivered in December 2019. [10]

Product

The IRRPL has been licensed to produce 600000 AK-203 assault rifles chambered for 7.62×39mm. The AK-203 is a modernized 200 series AK-103 variant and one of the modern derivatives of the Russian AK-Pattern series of assault rifles. The 200 series are technically based on the AK-100 family and the more expensive AK-12 rifle family. [11] The AK-203 is reported as the newest version of the AK-47 assault rifle. [12]

During the Defence Expo 2020 in Lucknow, Major General Sengar announced that the IRRPL facility in Amethi would produce 75,000 AK-203 annually for 10 years. [13]

It was announced that 670,000 AK-203 rifles will be produced for the Indian military. [14] Production of the AK-203 started on 17 January 2023. [15] [16]

In May 2024, first batch of 27,000 rifles were delivered while another batch of 8,000 would be delivered "soon". The level of indigenous content achieved is 25%. [17] In July 2024, the expected 8,000 units were delivered. [18]

Ownership

The factory is a joint venture between three companies. As of 2023, AWEIL owns the controlling stakes at 42.5% with Munitions India Limited at a 8%, Kalashnikov Concern at 42% and Rosoboronexport at 7.5%. [19]

An Indian CEO from the Indian Army leads the company. [20] Major General SK Sharma, SM**, VSM was selected as the CEO & MD on 6 August 2023.

Leaders

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AK-47</span> Soviet 7.62×39mm assault rifle

The AK-47, officially known as the Avtomat Kalashnikova, is an assault rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. Developed in the Soviet Union by Russian small-arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, it is the originating firearm of the Kalashnikov family of rifles. After more than seven decades since its creation, the AK-47 model and its variants remain one of the most popular and widely used firearms in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AK-74</span> 1974 Soviet 5.45×39mm assault rifle

The AK-74 is an assault rifle designed by small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1974 as a successor to the AKM. While primarily associated with the Soviet Union, it has been used by many countries since the 1970s. It is chambered for the 5.45×39mm cartridge, which replaced the 7.62×39mm cartridge of Kalashnikov's earlier automatic weapons for the Soviet Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 56 assault rifle</span> Chinese AK-47 variant

The Type 56 is a Chinese 7.62×39mm automatic rifle, a licensed derivative of the Soviet-designed AK-47.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RPK</span> Light machine gun

The RPK, sometimes inaccurately termed the RPK-47, is a Soviet 7.62×39mm light machine gun that was developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the early 1960s, in parallel with the AKM assault rifle. It was created to standardize the small arms inventory of the Soviet Army, where it replaced the 7.62×39mm RPD machine gun. The RPK continues to be used by the military of the post-Soviet states and certain African and Asian nations. The RPK is also manufactured in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia.

The AK-103 is an assault rifle designed by Russian small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov.

The INSAS, or Indian Small Arms System, is a family of infantry arms consisting of an assault rifle and a light machine gun (LMG). These weapons were developed in India by the Armament Research and Development Establishment and manufactured by the Ordnance Factories Board at its various factories. It was the standard infantry weapon of the Indian Armed Forces for almost three decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AEK-971</span> Assault rifle

The AEK-971 is a selective fire 5.45×39mm assault rifle that was developed at the Kovrov Mechanical Plant (KMZ) by chief designer Stanislav Ivanovich Koksharov, also known as Sergey Koksharov, in the late 1970s and 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AKM</span> Soviet assault rifle

The AKM is an assault rifle designed by Soviet small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1959. It was developed as the successor to the AK-47 adopted by the Soviet Union a decade prior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalashnikov rifle</span> Russian automatic rifle family

Kalashnikov rifles, also known as the AK platform, AK rifles or simply the AK, are a family of assault rifles based on Mikhail Kalashnikov's original design. They are officially known in Russian as avtomat Kalashnikova, and informally as "kalash" in Russian. They were originally manufactured in the Soviet Union, by Kalashnikov Concern. Rifles similar to the Kalashnikov and its Soviet variants were later produced in many countries friendly to the Soviet Bloc, with rifles based on its design such as the Galil ACE and the INSAS also being produced. The Kalashnikov is one of the most widely used firearms in the world, with an estimated 72 million rifles in global circulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965</span> Assault rifle

The Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965 is a Romanian 7.62×39mm assault rifle. Developed in the late 1950s, the PM md. 63 was a derivative of the Soviet AKM produced under license. It was the standard-issue infantry weapon of the Army of the Socialist Republic of Romania until the late 1980s, after which it was gradually superseded by the Pușcă Automată model 1986, a derivative of the Soviet AK-74.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AK-12</span> Russian assault rifle and its variants

The AK-12, "Avtomat Kalashnikova, 2012" is a Russian gas-operated assault rifle chambered in 5.45×39mm designed and manufactured by the Kalashnikov Concern, making it the fifth generation of Kalashnikov rifles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AK-104</span> Assault Rifle, Carbine

The AK-104 is a carbine variant of the AK-103. It's chambered to fire 7.62×39mm ammunition and thus feeds from any standard 7.62x39 AK pattern magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli</span> Defence Production Company of India

Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT), also called Ordnance Factory Trichy, is a small arms factory operated by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited based in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, which was previously part of Ordnance Factory Board of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The company is headed only by an IOFS officer called General Manager (ex officio Additional Secretary to Government of India) who is the chief executive officer, responsible for the overall management of the company.

The 40 mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, is a single shot grenade launcher developed by ARDE and Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli for use with the INSAS and AK-47 rifles used by the Indian Army. Standalone versions of the grenade launcher exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System</span> Assault rifle

Multi Calibre Individual Weapon System (MCIWS) is an assault rifle developed in India by the Armament Research and Development Establishment, a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. It was first seen at the DEFEXPO 2014 exhibition.

The AK-100 family is a series of Kalashnikov rifles, based upon the AK-74M, intended for export sales. The family of rifles offers the AK-74M system, in multiple cartridges and lengths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PBS-1 silencer</span> Silencer for the AKM

The PBS-1 is a silencer designed for the 7.62x39mm AKM variant of the Soviet AK-47 assault rifle in the Kalashnikov rifle family. It is 40 mm (1.6 in) in diameter and 200 mm (7.9 in) long.

The STL-1A rifle is an assault rifle made in Vietnam. As a product of the Z111 Factory, it is wholly an upgrade version for the AKM rifle, but is commonly compared to an AK-103. The rifle is chambered in 7.62x39mm.

The AK-203 is a Russian gas-operated assault rifle designed to chamber the 7.62×39mm cartridge. It is one of the latest iterations of the AK series of assault rifles originally designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. The AK-203 was developed in the 2010s by Kalashnikov Concern in Russia.

Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEL) is an Indian defence public sector undertaking, headquartered in Kanpur, India. AWE primarily manufactures small arms and artillery guns for the Indian Armed Forces, foreign militaries, and domestic civilian use.

References

  1. ↑ "UK and Commonwealth FALs, by R. Blake Stevens, Collector Grade Publications, 1980, pages 231–233
  2. ↑ Charles Q. Cutshaw (28 February 2011). Tactical Small Arms of the 21st Century: A Complete Guide to Small Arms From Around the World. Gun Digest Books. p. 207. ISBN   978-1-4402-2482-9 . Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  3. ↑ John Walter (25 March 2006). Rifles of the World. Krause Publications. pp. 209–210. ISBN   0-89689-241-7 . Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  4. ↑ Datta, Saikat (4 July 2017). "Why is the Indian Army still using outdated assault rifles designed in the 1980s?". Scroll.in. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  5. ↑ Beckhusen, Robert (31 August 2016). "India's Anti-Terror Troops Despise Their Assault Rifle". Medium. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  6. ↑ "AK-47s to arm CRPF to teeth". Daily Pioneer. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "INSAS rifles to retire; to be replaced by imported weapons". The Economic Times. 5 March 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  8. ↑ "In Amethi, PM Modi To Dedicate A Firm For Manufacturing AK Assault Rifles". NDTV. ANI. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  9. ↑ Shukla, Ajai. "PM Modi inaugurates India-Russia JV to build Kalashnikov rifles in Amethi". Business Standard. No. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  10. ↑ Negi, Manjeet Singh (11 December 2019). "Indian Army received first batch American assault rifles for operations in Jammu and Kashmir". India Today. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  11. ↑ "200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)". modernfirearms.net. 7 June 2018.
  12. ↑ "Explained: The new AK-203, and its legendary ancestor, the AK-47". The Indian Express. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  13. ↑ "AK-203 to become organic assault rifle of Indian armed forces". 14 February 2020.
  14. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (31 August 2020). "India and Russia set to close deal for over 6 lakh AK 203 rifles, full scale production has already started since August 2023". ThePrint. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  15. ↑ Nagial, Colonel Balwan Singh. "AK-203 Kalashnikov Assault Rifles to be manufactured in India". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  16. ↑ "India launches production of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles | Defense News January 2023 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2023 | Archive News year". 18 January 2023.
  17. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (19 May 2024). "Indo-Russian joint venture handed over 27,000 Ak-203 assault rifles to Indian Army". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  18. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (5 July 2024). "Ahead of Modi's visit to Moscow, Indo-Russia venture delivers 33K AK-203 rifles to Army". ThePrint. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  19. ↑ https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/vacancy%20circular.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  20. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (3 March 2019). "PM Modi inaugurates Indo-Russian joint venture, which will end Army's long quest for rifles". The Print. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  21. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (5 July 2019). "Army chief's new experiment — Major General is CEO of AK-203 rifle factory in Amethi". ThePrint. Retrieved 12 January 2020.

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