December 4
Centre Approves The Plan To Produce AK-203 Assault Rifles
Uttar Pradesh is on way to becoming a defence manufacturing hub of India. Center has approved a plan to produce over five lakh AK-203 assault rifles at Korwa (Amethi) in Uttar Pradesh. This step has been taken In order to provide a boost to self-reliance in defence manufacturing in the country.
The 7.62 X 39 mm caliber AK-203 rifles will now replace the in-service INSAS rifles incorporated three decades ago. The modern version of the Russian-origin rifle has an effective range of 300 meters.
According to the government, the AK-203 rifles will enhance the operational effectiveness of the Indian Army to counter terrorism and insurgency.
This project will provide business opportunities for supply of raw materials and components to various MSMEs and other defense industries, thereby creating new employment opportunities.
The project will be implemented by a special purpose joint venture, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Ltd (IRRPL). It has been created with erstwhile OFB [now Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL)] of India and Rosoboronexport (RoE) and concern Kalashnikov of Russia, sources said.
