The AK-203 assault rifles deal, which may be signed during the visit, would be taken up for discussion in the special Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting to be held on Tuesday, the report says
Russia ready to train Indian specialists for Amethi's Kalashnikov project - New Delhi: Russia's Rosoboronexport, the state agency for exports/imports of defence products, is ready to train Indian specialists for the AK-203 Kalashnikov project in Amethi, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It may be recalled that India and Russia in 2019 signed an intergovernmental agreement for setting up Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited a joint venture to manufacture the AK-203 assault rifles. The project will see the production of Russia's iconic assault rifles being produced in India with 100% localization.
The project was announced by Indian PM Modi and Russian President in 2019. It aims to produce lakhs of these rifles that will ultimately become part of the Indian security forces essentials.
Quad summit 2021
In a major setback to Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence, the Indian Army has decided to equip its more than 400 infantry battalions with US-made Sig Sauer assault rifles. The military top brass is going ahead with the decision due to multiple delays in the manufacturing of homegrown AK-203 that will be made with the assistance of India s long term defence partner Russia.
Notably, the Army purchased the Sig 716 G2 Patrol assault rifles, chambered for 7.6251 mm ammunition, under the Fast-Tracked Process (FTP) in 2019 for frontline soldiers stationed at borders and engaged in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. All infantry battalions, on the other hand, are now receiving American rifles.