Indo-Russia JV IRRPL Successfully Delivers 40,000 AK-203 Assault Rifles to the Indian Army.

Science and Technology

In February 2025, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a Joint Venture (JV) between India and Russia, delivered 40,000 Avtomat Kalashnikova (AK)-203 assault rifles to the Indian Army (IA).


      - These rifles were manufactured at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

      - The production is being carried out with full technology transfer from Russia, aiming for 100% localization in India.

      - This initiative aligns with India's "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" programs, reinforcing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Main Point :-   (i) In July 2021, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GOI), and Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu signed a contract worth ₹5,124 crore.

      (ii) The agreement involves a Joint Venture (JV) between Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) and Rosoboronexport (ROE) for the production of over 6.1 lakh 7.62×39 millimeter (mm) AK-203 rifles in India, with technology transfer from Russia.

(iii) On January 25, 2022, the first batch of 70,000 AK-203 rifles was delivered to the Indian Army (IA). An additional batch of 35,000 AK-203 rifles was delivered between May and July 2024.

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