RogerLazzarini9 at 14:30, 24 March 2026

2026-03-24T14:30:53Z

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{{Short description|Russian assault rifle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = AK-203
| image = File:IndianArmyAK203_1.jpg
| image_size = 270px
| caption = AK–203 assault rifle.
| origin = [[Russia]]
| type = [[Assault rifle]]
| is_ranged = yes

| service =
| used_by = See ''[[AK-203#Users|Users]]''
| wars =

| designer = [[Mikhail Kalashnikov]]
| design_date = 2007–2010<ref name="Onokoy">{{Cite magazine|last=Onokoy|first=Vlad|date=27 April 2019
|title=Kalashnikov AK-203: The New Assault Rifle of the Indian Army|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/kalashnikov-ak-203-the-new-assault-rifle-of-the-indian-army/|magazine=Small Arms Defense Journal|volume=11|issue=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023083647/http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/kalashnikov-ak-203-the-new-assault-rifle-of-the-indian-army/ |archive-date=23 October 2021}}</ref>
| manufacturer = *[[Kalashnikov Concern]]
*[[Indo-Russia Rifles]]
| unit_cost =
| production_date = 2022-Present
| number = at least 53000 (as of Sept. 2025) total 670000 planned.
| variants =

| spec_label =
| weight = {{convert|3.8|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="ROE">{{Cite web|title=7.62mm Kalashnikov Assault Rifle AK203 {{!}} Catalog Rosoboronexport|url=http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/land-forces/strelkovoe-oruzhie/assault-rifles-/ak203/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022173902/https://roe.ru/eng/catalog/land-forces/strelkovoe-oruzhie/assault-rifles-/ak203/|archive-date=22 October 2021|access-date=22 Oct 2021 |website=roe.ru|publisher=[[Rosoboronexport]]}}</ref>
| length = {{convert|880-940|mm|in|abbr=on}} (stock extended)
| part_length = {{convert|415|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| width =
| height =
| diameter =
| crew =

| cartridge = [[7.62×39mm]]<ref name="ROE" />
| cartridge_weight =
| caliber = 7.62mm
| action = [[Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]]
| rate = ~700 rounds/min
| velocity = {{convert|715|m/s|0|abbr=on}}
| range = {{convert|400-800|m|yd|abbr=on}}<ref name="ROE" /><br />(based on sight adjustments)
| max_range =
| feed = 30-round detachable [[box magazine]]<ref name="ROE" /><br />50-round detachable [[Casket magazine|quad-column magazine]]
| sights = Adjustable [[iron sights]] or [[picatinny rail]]s for various optics
| rifling =

| ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.kalashnikovgroup.ru/catalog/boevoe-strelkovoe-oruzhie/avtomaty/avtomat-kalashnikova-ak203|website=en.kalashnikovgroup.ru|publisher=Kalashnikov Group|title=Products >Defense products > Assault rifles > АК203|access-date=9 Sep 2024|archive-date=25 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250325124240/https://en.kalashnikovgroup.ru/catalog/boevoe-strelkovoe-oruzhie/avtomaty/avtomat-kalashnikova-ak203|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

The '''AK-203''' is a Russian [[Gas-operated reloading|gas-operated]] [[assault rifle]] designed to chamber the [[7.62×39mm]] cartridge.<ref name="ROE" /> 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]], primarily operated by [[Indian Armed Forces]].

==History==
[[File:Indian soldier with AK and shield.png|thumb|Indian soldier with AK and shield]]
In 2019, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA). On 3 March the same year, the [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Narendra Modi]] inaugurated [[Indo-Russia Rifles]] in [[Uttar Pradesh|Korwa, Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 March 2019 |title='Made in Amethi' AK-203s to give security forces edge in fight against terror: PM Modi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/made-in-amethi-ak-203s-to-give-forces-edge-in-fight-against-terror-pm-modi/articleshow/68243351.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719212934/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/made-in-amethi-ak-203s-to-give-forces-edge-in-fight-against-terror-pm-modi/articleshow/68243351.cms |archive-date=19 July 2019 |access-date=2019-07-09 |newspaper=The Times of India |language=en |agency=Ist}}</ref> The [[Joint Venture]] (JV), tasked for the production of [[AK-200]] rifle family, included partnership among India's [[Ordnance Factory Board]] and Russia's [[Rosoboronexport]] and [[Kalashnikov Concern]] under the parentship of [[Rostec]]. By then, the production of 750,000 rifles was approved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rostec.ru/en/news/ak-203-production-kicks-off-in-india/|title=AK-203 Production Kicks-off in India|website= Rostec State Corporation|date= 4 March 2019}}</ref>

As of February 2020, the production, which was originally expected to commence in May that year, was delayed initially to 2020-end due to pricing disagreements. One of the objectives of the project was for India to have 100% indigenisation on the production of the rifles. However, this meant that initially, the domestically produced rifles would be 20–25% costlier than those imported from Russia. The production of rifles would begin only after the JV submits a "competitive" commercial bid.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indo-russian-joint-venture-for-amethi-rifles-factory-hits-hurdle/articleshow/73974065.cms |title=Indo-Russian joint venture for Amethi rifles factory hits hurdle |website=The Economic Times |date=6 February 2020 |last1=Pubby |first1=Manu}}</ref> Later, due to the travel bans during [[COVID-19 pandemic]], negotiations were further delayed and a fresh bid could not be submitted which meant the production would not begin in 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/amethi-ak-203-factory-unlikely-to-start-operations-in-2020/articleshow/76183802.cms|title=Amethi AK-203 factory unlikely to start operations in 2020|website=The Economic Times|date=4 June 2020|last1=Pubby|first1=Manu}}</ref>

As of August 2021, Indian Air Force reportedly purchased 70,000 AK-103(Not ak 203) rifles from Russia. The deliveries would begin from within three months.<ref name="Siddiqui" /> The deal, worth around {{INRConvert|300|c|lk=on|year=2021|mode=historical}}, for the [[Indian Air Force]] as well as its [[Garud Commando Force]] under emergency procurement was signed by the Service in the third week of August 2021. The deliveries were to start within months.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-29 |title=Indian Air Force to replace INSAS rifles with new AK-103 weapons, details here |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-air-force-to-replace-insas-rifles-with-new-ak-103-weapons-details-here-101630205359171.html |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2021, India signed a {{INRConvert|5124|c|lk=|year=2021|mode=historical}}-worth contract<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |date=2021-12-06 |title=India, Russia conclude AK-203 deal, renew 10-yr pact for military cooperation |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-russia-conclude-ak-203-deal-renew-10-yr-pact-for-military-cooperation-101638796549322.html |access-date=2025-02-07 |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> with [[Kalashnikov Concern]] for the procurement of 601,427 rifles from IRRPL.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-01-05 |title=More firepower for soldiers! Indian Army to get lethal Assault Rifles – Know more |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-more-firepower-for-soldiers-indian-army-to-get-lethal-assault-rifles-know-more-2398988/ |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Philip |first=Snehesh Alex |date=2023-01-17 |title=India & Russia begin joint manufacturing of AK 203 rifles in UP, might export them too |url=https://theprint.in/defence/india-russia-begin-joint-manufacturing-of-ak-203-rifles-in-up-might-export-them-too/1319147/ |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> For the first batch of 70,000 rifles to be manufactured, the indigenous content would rise from 5% to 70%, while the remaining rifles would have 100% indigenous content. The full-scale production could be reached in 2–3 years.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2024-05-19 |title=Indo-Russian joint venture handed over 27,000 Ak-203 assault rifles to Indian Army |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indo-russian-joint-venture-handed-over-27000-ak-203-assault-rifles-to-indian-army/article68193891.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520021021/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indo-russian-joint-venture-handed-over-27000-ak-203-assault-rifles-to-indian-army/article68193891.ece |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=2024-05-20 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:IndianArmyAK203 2.jpg|thumb|AK-203 rifle deployed by Indian Army with a single point [[sling]].]]
The AK-203 is chambered for 7.62×39 and it uses AK-type magazines.<ref name="JDefexpo2022">{{Cite web |date=21 October 2022 |title=Defexpo 2022: India set to locally produce Russian AK-203 rifles |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/defexpo-2022-india-set-to-locally-produce-russian-ak-203-rifles |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Janes.com |language=en}}</ref> It weighs 3.8 kg, and has a length of 690 mm with the stock folded, or 930 mm with it extended.<ref name="JDefexpo2022"/>

Its rate of fire is 700 rounds per minute.<ref name="JDefexpo2022"/> Its polymer front housing free floating case has been accused of being difficult to handle according to combat footage from the Russo-Ukraine war. It has a birdcage type muzzle brake device for better handling of rifle and flatter trajectory of bullet.

An individual AK-203 has 50 components and 180 sub-components and is built to fire at least 15,000 rounds in its life.<ref name=":4" />

== Adoption ==

=== India ===
The AK-203, nicknamed ''Sher'',<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=2025-07-18 |title='Younger brother of BrahMos': Amethi's IRRPL to complete delivery of AK-203 rifles soon; eyes exports by 2030 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/younger-brother-of-brahmos-amethis-irrpl-to-complete-delivery-of-ak-203-rifles-soon-eyes-exports-by-2030/articleshow/122740812.cms |access-date=2025-07-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> is the fourth generation of [[standard-issue rifle]] of the [[Infantry of the Indian Army]] following — [[Lee–Enfield]] [[.303 British|.303]] [[bolt action rifle]] (in service 1947–mid-1960s),{{efn|Retired immediately after [[Sino-Indian War]].<ref name="IT" />}} [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle|L1A1 Self-Loading]] [[7.62 NATO]] [[semi-automatic rifle]] (in service 1961–1998)<ref name=":03">{{Cite book |last1=Johnston |first1=Gary Paul |title=The World's Assault Rifles |last2=Nelson |first2=Thomas B. |date=15 December 2016 |publisher=Ironside International Publishers, Inc. |isbn=9781619846012}}</ref>{{Efn|Adopted and [[Licensed production|license manufactured]] by [[Ordnance Factory Board]] post Sino-Indo War and retired with the induction of [[AK-47]] derivatives and [[INSAS]].<ref name="IT" />}} and [[INSAS]] [[5.56×45mm NATO|5.56]] [[assault rifle]] (in service since 1994 and being replaced).<ref name=":3" /> While the L1A1 was outdated by the 1980s but the INSAS was still under development, multiple derivatives of [[AK-47]] were adopted, starting with around 12,000 Soviet-origin AK-47 (produced by the [[Izhmash]]) captured from insurgents, followed by purchasing the Czech-origin [[Vz. 58]], Bulgarian-origin [[AR-M1]] from [[Arsenal AD]].<ref name="IT">{{cite news |last=Unnithan |first=Sandeep |date=30 December 2013 |title=Why General Kalashnikov couldn't sell the AK in India |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/why-general-kalashnikov-couldnt-sell-the-ak-47-in-india-222396-2013-12-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326125239/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/why-general-kalashnikov-couldnt-sell-the-ak-47-in-india-222396-2013-12-30 |archive-date=26 March 2021 |access-date=4 September 2022 |work=India Today |location=New Delhi}}</ref>

The AK-203 is produced in India by [[Indo-Russia Rifles]] Private Limited (IRRPL) at an {{Convert|8.5|acre|m2|abbr=on}}-facility at [[Korwa Ordnance Factory]] in [[Amethi district|Amethi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The company has 50.5% Indian ownership and 49.5% Russian ownership.<ref name=":4" />

==== 2022 ====
On 25 January 2022, Russia supplied the first batch of 70,000 AK-103(Not ak203) rifles to the [[Indian Air Force]]. Meanwhile, the rest of the 600,000 rifles that are to be produced by [[Indo-Russia Rifles]] in India under [[technology transfer]] will be used by the Indian Army.<ref name="ETI">{{Cite news |date=2022-01-25 |title=AK 203 deal: Initial batch of 70,000 rifles delivered to armed forces by Russia |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/ak-203-deal-initial-batch-of-70000-rifles-delivered-to-armed-forces-by-russia/articleshow/89102009.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-12-19 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> The IAF deal was signed in August 2021 with deliveries to start within months.<ref name=":6" />

==== 2023–24 ====
The production of the rifles in India began in January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India launches production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles — Rosoboronexport |url=https://tass.com/defense/1563239 |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=TASS}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> On 3 February 2023, Alexander Mikheev, director general of Rosoboronexport, announced that the first batch of AK-203s were completed at Amethi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indo-Russian venture completes production of AK-203 first batch |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indo-russian-venture-completes-production-of-ak-203-first-batch |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Janes.com |date=3 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref> On 12 October 2023, it was reported that Kalashnikov Concern completed shipment of machinery and tools for India to manufacture AK-203s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-12 |title=Kalashnikov Completes Delivery of Tools to India for AK-203 Production - |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2023/10/12/kalashnikov-completes-delivery-tools-india-ak-203-production/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=The Firearm Blog |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 5 July 2024, [[Rostec]] announced that Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt. Ltd. (IRRPL) had delivered 35,000 rifles to the Indian Army.<ref>{{cite web | last=Peri | first=Dinakar | title=Indo-Russian joint venture has delivered 35,000 AK-203 assault rifles to MoD: Rostec | website=The Hindu | date=2024-07-05 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indo-russian-joint-venture-has-delivered-35000-ak-203-assault-rifles-to-mod-rostec/article68370257.ece | access-date=2024-07-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-08 |title=Indian, Russian joint venture delivers 35,000 AK-203s to Indian Army |url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/industry/indian-russian-joint-venture-delivers-35000-ak-203s-to-indian-army |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714121311/https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/industry/indian-russian-joint-venture-delivers-35000-ak-203s-to-indian-army |archive-date=2025-07-14 |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=Janes |language=en}}</ref> As of then, the rifles had an indigenous content of 25%. The deliveries were completed in batches of 27,000 rifles on 20 May and 8,000 rifles on 5 July.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Philip |first=Snehesh Alex |date=2024-07-05 |title=Ahead of Modi's visit to Moscow, Indo-Russia venture delivers 33K AK-203 rifles to Army |url=https://theprint.in/defence/ahead-of-modis-visit-to-moscow-indo-russia-venture-delivers-33k-ak-203-rifles-to-army/2161474/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831121435/https://theprint.in/defence/ahead-of-modis-visit-to-moscow-indo-russia-venture-delivers-33k-ak-203-rifles-to-army/2161474/ |archive-date=31 August 2024 |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== 2025 ====
As of February, IRRPL expects to deliver 70,000 and 100,000 rifles to the Army in 2025 and 2026, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=India to receive 4th squadron of Russian S-400 air defence system by year-end |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-to-receive-4th-squadron-of-russian-made-s-400-air-defence-system-by-year-end-2675492-2025-02-06 |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

As of 17 July, 48,000 rifles were delivered to the Indian Army with an additional batch of 7,000 units to be delivered within the next 2–3 weeks. Meanwhile, the Indian produced rifles has achieved an indigenous content of 50% while the same of 70% and 100% is expected to be achieved by October<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Shivani |date=2025-09-09 |title=Army receives 5,000 more AK-203 rifles from Amethi plant |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-receives-5000-more-ak-203-rifles-from-amethi-plant-2784650-2025-09-09 |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> and December, respectively.<ref name=":5" />

The first batch of fully indigenised 15,000 rifles are to be delivered in December. Following the complete indigenisation, the rifle will be rebranded as ''Sher'' and production rate will rise to 12,000 units monthly which equates to a unit every 100 seconds or about 150,000 units annually.<ref name=":5" /> The deliveries are expected to be executed by December 2030 ahead of the contract schedule of October 2032. By now, the Indian Army has started phasing out the standard issue INSAS rifles.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />

Further, the Indian manufacturing facility currently employs 260 personnel, including permanent Russian experts, which is planned to be expanded to 537 personnel, which would include 90% Indians. The company also received 100% of technology and its testing has also been indigenised against the earlier practice of the parts to be approved from Russia.<ref name=":4" />

So far, 60 critical components have been indigenised which are supplied by vendors pan-India and then assembled and tested in India. All the components have an alternate Indian supplier already.<ref name=":4" />

On 9 September, 5,000 units were delivered to the Indian Army following trials under the supervision of a team representing the Director General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) in August.<ref name=":5" />

=== Export ===
In an interview with Maria Vorobieva, Director of Kalashnikov Concern's Public Relations Department in October 2021, she said that some Asian nations, including those from the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS), are interested in acquiring the AK-203.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian AK203 Assault Rifle in Use with C.I.S., Asian Nations |url=https://www.defensemirror.com/news/30619/Russian_AK203_Assault_Rifle_in_Use_with_C_I_S___Asian_Nations |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=www.defensemirror.com}}</ref>

On September 25, 2024, it was revealed that following the sanctions imposed on Russia, several Middle Eastern and African countries were reported to have enquired with IRRPL regarding export of the rifle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-25 |title=Indian-made AK-203 rifles draw increased interest from Africa, Middle East |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-made-ak-203-rifles-draw-increased-interest-from-africa-middle-east-2605978-2024-09-25 |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2025, it was reported that the [[Kerala Police]] are looking at procuring the AK-203 with proposals to export it to Nepal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/defence/kerala-police-has-its-eyes-on-indo-russian-ak-203-set-to-be-first-police-force-to-procure-it/2591907/|title=Kerala Police has its eyes on Indo-Russian AK-203, set to be first police force to procure it|date=2025-04-16|publisher=The Print|author=Javaria Rana}}</ref>

==Users==


* {{flag|India}}: Total 670,000 rifles planned for the [[Indian Army]] and the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref name="Siddiqui">{{Cite news|last=Siddiqui|first=Huma|date=2021-08-23|title=Indian Army to buy AK-203 off the shelf from Russia|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/indian-army-to-buy-ak-203-off-the-shelf-from-russia/2315875/|access-date=2021-10-22}}</ref>
** Indian Army: Total 53,000 delivered as of September 2025<ref name=":5" /> with 601,427 units on order.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-17 |title=Army to get 7,000 more 'Made in Amethi' AK-203 rifles in 2-3 weeks |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-kalashnikov-ak-203-rifles-delivery-amethi-plant-insas-rifles-2757148-2025-07-17 |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
** Indian Air Force(ak-103): 70,000 ak-103 (NOT ak-203) delivered directly from Russia from January 2022.<ref name="ETI" /> Contract was signed in August 2021.<ref name="Siddiqui" /><ref name=":6" />

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== See also ==
* [[AK-100 (rifle family)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{AK47 derivatives}}

{{commons category}}

[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2022]]
[[Category:7.62×39mm assault rifles]]
[[Category:Kalashnikov Concern products]]
[[Category:Kalashnikov derivatives]]
[[Category:Assault rifles of Russia]]

AK-203 - Revision history

RogerLazzarini9 at 14:30, 24 March 2026