India begins production of Kalashnikov assault rifles under a $600 million contract

The production of licensed Kalashnikov assault rifles AK-203 began in India at the facilities of the joint venture Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (50.5% of the shares are owned by the Indian state company Ordnance Factory Board, 42% by the Kalashnikov concern and 7.5% by Rosoboronexport – “Vedomosti”), according to the message of “Rosoboronexport” on January 17. This is now the only and largest enterprise abroad by world standards, where licensed production of Russian small arms is launched.

The production plans of the enterprise provide for 100% localization of the production of AK-203 assault rifles in India. A contract worth about $600 million to build a factory at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, was signed in December 2021 after three years of negotiations. The contract provides for the production of 600,000 machines.

“With the launch of serial production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles, high-quality, convenient and modern small arms will begin to enter the power structures of India. The model combines excellent ergonomics, adaptability to the user and high performance characteristics, it is one of the best examples in the world,” Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov is quoted in the Rosoboronexport message.

“The capacity of the plant makes it possible to fully equip the personnel of other security forces in India with AK-203 assault rifles, which, due to their high adaptability, are suitable for various operators. In addition, the joint venture will be able to export its products to third countries,” said Alexander Mikheev, CEO of the company (quoted by Rosoboronexport). According to him, the enterprise fully complies with the Make in India principles for the localization of production, which are supported by the Indian government.

This is the largest export contract for Russian small arms in the entire post-Soviet history, and in monetary terms, in the entire history of all types of the Kalashnikov assault rifle since its development in 1947, recalls Ruslan Pukhov, director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies. While many of India’s other contracts are larger in monetary terms, the small arms deal is particularly prestigious, as the machine gun is a hallmark of Russian industry, Pukhov said. It is also important that this most important contract was brought to its logical end in the most difficult situation of Western pressure on Russia and India, Pukhov emphasizes.