From Russia with love: AK 203 assault rifles deal may be finalised by August-end

India had declared its intention to buy the AK 203 rifles for its infantry and security forces during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s India visit in October 2018. But further progress in the deal after the IGA of February 18, 2019 was stifled when differences cropped up between the two parties over the price factor as well as over transfer of technology and local production issues, writes senior journalist Sanjib Kr Baruah.

New Delhi: Amid the escalating tension across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the ever-present low intensity conflict with militants from Kashmir to insurgents in Northeast India, the government, keen to hurry up the AK 203 7.62 mm assault rifle deal with Russia, may formally finalise the inter-governmental deal by the month-end.

While an Inter Governmental Agreement (IGA) signed on February 18, 2019, already exists, the formal signing of the deal under the ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ category mode may take place when India’s defence secretary (production) visits Russia for the ‘Army-2020’ that will be held from August 23 to August 29 at the Alabino training ground and Kubinka airfield in the suburbs of Moscow.

On Tuesday, the Defence Ministry’s apex procurement panel the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) made certain approvals that will speed up the AK 203 deal. The buy will end India’s long and arduous search for a basic assault rifle for its armed forces.

‘Army-2020’ is a Russian government-hosted international military and technical forum where military armaments and hardware are exhibited and a platform provided for discussing development and strengthening international military and technical cooperation.

The ‘Army-2020’ is being simultaneously with the ‘International Army Games-2020’ where India is not participating this time.

On February 13, 2018, the Indian defence ministry had given the go-ahead for the procurement of 7,40,000 assault rifles at an estimated cost of about Rs 12,280 crore.

India had declared its intention to buy the AK 203 rifles for its infantry and security forces during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s India visit in October 2018.

But further progress in the deal after the IGA of February 18, 2019 was stifled when differences cropped up between the two parties over the price factor as well as over transfer of technology and local production issues.

ETV Bharat has learnt that these differences have been resolved now.

While about 1,00,000 assault guns will be purchased straight from Russia, subsequent quantities at the rate of about 75,000 rifles per year will be produced in a factory in Korwa, in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi.

The guns will be produced by the Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a collaborative affair between the state-run Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) which will invest 50.5 per cent with the Kalashnikov Concern and Rosoboronexport contributing 42 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively.

This is the first time Russia will be transferring production rights of the AK 203 to another country.

The assault gun would replace the crying need from the Indian soldier at Ground Zero for an effective mainstay small weapon that will replace the indigenous INSAS rifle which has had many complaints from the users.

AK 203 is the most advanced in the AK series of assault guns and is understood to be a better performer than many of its competitive products worldwide. It was preferred for the Indian armed forces over the AK 103 and the AK 15.

The Indian version will be a little different from the original AK 203 with respect to the gun butt, handguard, muzzle, and the grip.

Weighing about 4 kg, the AK 203 can be fired in both automatic and semi-automatic modes. Capable of firing up to 10 bullets in a second, its effective range will be about 500 meters.