Russia to Supply 70,000 Ak-203 rifles

Russia would provide 70,000 AK-203 assault rifles to India off-the-shelf in the next six months. AK-203 is the latest version of the AK-47 rifle, which will replace the Indian Small Arms System 5.56x45 mm assault rifle.

The Indian Army has a requirement of around 770,000 AK-203 rifles, of which 100,000 was to be imported and the rest was to be manufactured in India. The off-the-shelf supply would be part of 100,000 assault rifles, said Kalashnikov officials. The assault rifles will be provided to the Indian Army as part of a mega infantry modernisation programme.