A major achievement has come to light, giving a new height to India’s defense self -reliance. The Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at Korwa, Amethi has announced that the production of the AK-203 assault rifle used by the Indian Army by the end of 2025 will be completely indigenous. This is the same rifle, which the army knows as ‘Sher’ and which is now going to become the most reliable weapon of Indian soldiers on the borders.
IRRPL CEO and MD Major General S.K. According to Sharma, so far 48,000 rifles have been handed over to the Indian Army and by December 2025 the number will increase to 70,000. The special thing is that they will be built completely in the country, which will increase India’s defense production capacity drastically. The process of indigenization has already reached 50% and a target is to make it 100% by the end of the year.
Initially, 70,000 rifles were imported to meet the immediate needs of the army, but now preparations have been made to make 600 rifles per day in the country itself. IRRPL has so far started internal construction of 60 major parts and 100% technology transfer from Russia has been achieved. The company currently employs 260 employees, including permanent Russian experts, but plans to increase this number to 537 in the future, of which 90% will be locals.
Originally a target was targeted to be completed by 2032, but now it is targeted to be completed by December 2030, which is about two years before the scheduled time. From 2026, 12,000 rifles will be built every month, which will meet this target prematurely. This rifle, which replaces INSAS rifles, will now be deployed in sensitive areas such as the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control.
Along with this, India has also successfully tested strategic missiles like Prithvi-2 and Agni-1 from Chandipur in Odisha, which shows that India is moving rapidly towards becoming completely self-sufficient not only in the field of light weapons, but also in the field of strategic weapons. India is now gearing up not only to protect its borders, but is also firmly on the path of becoming a global exporter of defense equipment.
After the AK-203, there are also plans to manufacture other products of the Kalashnikov company in India. The company aims to join the top five arms manufacturers in the world by 2032. This partnership between India and Russia is becoming a new example not only in strategic, but also in the field of production, technology and self -reliance. Now these ‘lion’ rifles and missiles like BrahMos, built on Amethi land, are giving a new definition to India’s military strength and global credit.
