Overview
The much-awaited first fully indigenous AK-203 assault rifle, christened ‘Sher’ (Lion), will be delivered to the Indian Army by December 31, 2025.
Production is being handled by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture between:
India: Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) & Munitions India Limited (MIL)
Russia: Rosoboronexport (RoE) & Concern Kalashnikov (CK)
(Indian stake: 50.5%; Russian stake: 49.5%)
India is the first country to produce the AK-200 series rifles indigenously.
Contract Details
Total Rifles Ordered: 6,01,427
Contract Value: ₹5,200 crore
Contract Signed: December 2021
Scheduled Completion: December 2032
Revised Completion: Mid-2030 (22 months ahead of schedule)
Production & Delivery Updates
48,000 rifles delivered so far (50% indigenous content).
Next Deliveries:
7,000 rifles in the next 2–3 weeks.
15,000 rifles by December 2025.
First 100% indigenous batch of ‘Sher’ rifles:
Delivery Date: December 31, 2025
Upcoming 70,000 rifles (with 70% indigenous content) to be delivered within five months.
Target Production (from next year):
1.5 lakh rifles annually, of which:
1.2 lakh rifles for the Army.
30,000 rifles for paramilitary forces, state police, and exports.
Why AK-203 ‘Sher’?
Replacing: INSAS rifles (in service for over 30 years).
Advantages over INSAS and AK-47:
Higher firepower and durability.
Lighter and more compact.
Enhanced battlefield adaptability.
AK-203 ‘Sher’: Key Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rate of Fire | 700 rounds per minute |
| Effective Range | 800 metres |
| Calibre | 7.62×39 mm |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Weight (without magazine) | 3.8 kg (AK-47: 4.3 kg) |
| Length (without stock) | 705 mm (INSAS: 960 mm) |
| Features | Telescopic buttstock, improved recoil control, modern optics compatibility |
Deployment Areas
Will serve as the standard weapon for Indian Army’s infantry, particularly in:
Northern & Western Borders
Line of Control (LoC)
Line of Actual Control (LAC)
Export Interest
Several countries in Southeast Asia and Africa have expressed interest in purchasing AK-203 rifles from India.
18 Indian states, union territories, and paramilitary forces have also placed requisition requests.
Strategic Significance
A major milestone in the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Strengthens India’s position as a defence manufacturing hub.
Reduces dependency on imports, with significant export potential.
