Russia delivers 70,000 AK-203 assault rifles to India

Russia delivered all the contracted 70,000 AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles to the Indian Armed Forces on January 25, 2022.
The Indian Armed Forces had placed an order for 670,000 rifles, for which the contract was signed on December 06, 2021 between India and Kalashnikov (Russian defense manufacturing unit).
The total cost of the contract is around Rs 5,124 crore.
The contract included procuring 70,000 rifles off the shelf.
The remaining 600,000 rifles will be manufactured by an Indo-Russian joint venture company, Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), based at Amethi, Uttar Pradesh India under transfer of technology (ToT). [at Korwa Rifle Factory, Amethi]
The lightweight AK-203 Rifles will replace military’s in-service INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) Rifle, which are in service for over three decades since 1998.
Key specifications
- Caliber of AK-203 Assault Rifles – 7.62 X 39mm
- Effective range – 300 meters.
Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) is represented by:
- erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board from India- Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) & Munitions India Limited (MIL) (50.5%)
- Rosoboronexport (RoE)(7.5%) & Concern Kalashnikov (CK)(42%) from Russia.

Points to Remember:

Which country recently delivered 70,000 AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles to India?
India has signed contract with which country to procure 670,000 AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles?
India has signed contract with Russia to procure how many AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles?
AK-203 Rifles will replace which Indian rifle?
In India the AK-203 Rifles will be manufactured at which centre?

Source: Economic Times