India produces first AK-203 with 100% locally sourced components

India has produced and successfully test-fired its first AK-203 “Sher” assault rifle made entirely with domestically sourced components and materials, marking a significant step in the country’s push to reduce its dependence on imported weapons.

The rifle was manufactured by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at its facility in Korwa, Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh. IRRPL is an India-Russia joint venture established to manufacture AK-203 rifles for the Indian Armed Forces.

The South China Morning Post reported that India is touting the development as an important milestone under its “Make in India” programme as New Delhi seeks to increase domestic defence production and reduce its reliance on foreign weapon systems.

IRRPL said every component and input material used in the latest prototype was sourced from Indian industry, representing a shift from the earlier phased localisation of the Russian-designed weapon to end-to-end domestic manufacturing.

The first fully localised rifle has undergone firing tests, including burst firing, with initial results described by the manufacturer as encouraging.

IRRPL is now producing additional prototypes for trials by the Indian Army scheduled for September 2026.

India signed a contract with IRRPL in December 2021 for the production of 601,427 AK-203 rifles. The weapons are intended to replace the Indian Army’s older INSAS service rifles.

The AK-203 remains a Russian-origin Kalashnikov design. However, achieving 100% domestic sourcing means India can manufacture the rifle without relying on imported components, strengthening its domestic small-arms supply chain.

The localisation push has also expanded to ammunition. Adani Defence & Aerospace recently signed a five-year agreement with IRRPL to supply domestically manufactured 7.62×39 mm ammunition for the AK-203 programme.