AK-203
AK-203 | |
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Type | Assault rifle |
Place of origin | Russia |
Service history | |
Used by | See Users |
Production history | |
Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
Designed | 2007–2010[1] |
Manufacturer |
|
Specifications | |
Mass | 3.8 kg (8.4 lb)[2] |
Length | 880–940 mm (35–37 in) (stock extended) |
Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in) |
Cartridge | 7.62×39mm[2] |
Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | ~700 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 715 m/s (2,346 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | 400–800 m (440–870 yd)[2] (based on sight adjustments) |
Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine[2] 50-round detachable quad-column magazine |
Sights | Adjustable iron sights or picatinny rails for various optics |
References | [3] |
The AK-203 is a Russian gas-operated assault rifle designed to chamber the 7.62×39mm cartridge.[2] It is one of the latest iterations of the AK series of assault rifles originally designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. The AK-203 was developed in the 2010s by Kalashnikov Concern in Russia.
History
The prototype development of the AK-200 series began in 2007. The first prototype of the AK-200 was developed and tested in 2010.[1] In 2013, for the Ratnik programme AK-200 was modified and renamed as AK-103-3. In 2016, AK-200 series project was revived and upgraded the AK-103-3 assault rifle prototype with KM-AK kit developed as part of the Obves programme.[1] The upgraded assault rifle prototype was initially designated as AK-300 and then as AK-100M and finally in 2019 as AK-203.[1]
On March 3, 2019, Russia and India inaugurated Indo-Russia Rifles in Uttar Pradesh.[4][5] However, pricing disagreements,[6][7] and international sanctions on Russia have caused delays in delivery and production.[8]
The Indian Army is procuring 670,000 AK-203 assault rifles to replace the INSAS.[9] The first 70,000 rifles were purchased from Russia in August 2021[10] with deliveries made on January 25, 2022.[11] The remaining 600,000 rifles will be manufactured under a transfer of technology agreement.[11]
In an interview with Maria Vorobieva, Director of Kalashnikov Concern's Public Relations Department in October 2021, she said that some Asian nations, including the CIS, are acquiring the AK-203.[12]
In October 21, 2022, full production of AK-203s was announced at Defexpo 2022.[13]
On February 3, 2023, it was reported by Alexander Mikheev, director general of Rosoboronexport, that the first batch of AK-203s were completed at Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.[14] On October 12, 2023, it was reported that Kalashnikov Concern completed shipment of machinery and tools for India to manufacture AK-203s.[15]
It was announced on July 5, 2024 that 35,000 rifles have been produced by the IRRPL and delivered to the Indian Ministry of Defence.[16]
Design
The AK-203 is chambered for 7.62×39 and it uses AK-type magazines.[13] It weighs 3.8 kg, and has a length of 690 mm with the stock folded, or 930 mm with it extended.[13] Its rate of fire is 700 rounds per minute.[13]
Users
India: Total of 670,000 rifles planned.[17] 70,000 are to be purchased directly from Russia, with the remaining 600,000 to be manufactured in India under ToT.[17] On 25 January 2022, the first batch of 70,000 AK-203s were delivered to the Indian Army.[18] Licensed production started in January 2023.[19] Between May and July 2024, another batch of 35,000 rifles were delivered by Indo-Russia Rifles.[20][21]
Russia: In limited use by Russian Special Forces.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b c d Onokoy, Vlad (27 April 2019). "Kalashnikov AK-203: The New Assault Rifle of the Indian Army". Small Arms Defense Journal. Vol. 11, no. 4. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "7.62mm Kalashnikov Assault Rifle AK203 | Catalog Rosoboronexport". roe.ru. Rosoboronexport. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ https://en.kalashnikovgroup.ru/catalog/boevoe-strelkovoe-oruzhie/avtomaty/avtomat-kalashnikova-ak203
- ^ "AK-203 Production Kicks-off in India". Rostec State Corporation. 4 March 2019.
- ^ "Russian National Guard modernizes firearm, vehicle and boat inventory". www.armyrecognition.com. 15 March 2019.
- ^ Pubby, Manu (6 February 2020). "Indo-Russian joint venture for Amethi rifles factory hits hurdle". The Economic Times.
- ^ Pubby, Manu (4 June 2020). "Amethi AK-203 factory unlikely to start operations in 2020". The Economic Times.
- ^ Bedi, Rahul (13 December 2023). "India's Assault Rifle Induction Woes Continue With Delays In Indigenous Ak-203 Production". The Wire. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Russia delivers all the contracted 70,000 AK203 assault rifles to India". Zee News. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ "India buys 70,000 AK203 assault rifles off the shelf from Russia | Defense News August 2021 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2021 | Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ a b "AK 203 deal: Initial batch of 70,000 rifles delivered to armed forces by Russia". The Economic Times. 25 January 2022. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ "Russian AK203 Assault Rifle in Use with C.I.S., Asian Nations". www.defensemirror.com. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Defexpo 2022: India set to locally produce Russian AK-203 rifles". Janes.com. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ "Indo-Russian venture completes production of AK-203 first batch". Janes.com. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ "Kalashnikov Completes Delivery of Tools to India for AK-203 Production -". The Firearm Blog. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ Peri, Dinakar (5 July 2024). "Indo-Russian joint venture has delivered 35,000 AK-203 assault rifles to MoD: Rostec". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ a b Siddiqui, Huma (23 August 2021). "Indian Army to buy AK-203 off the shelf from Russia". The Financial Express. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Russia delivers all the contracted 70,000 AK-203 assault rifles to India". DNA India. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ "India launches production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles — Rosoboronexport".
- ^ Peri, Dinakar (19 May 2024). "Indo-Russian joint venture handed over 27,000 Ak-203 assault rifles to Indian Army". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (5 July 2024). "Ahead of Modi's visit to Moscow, Indo-Russia venture delivers 35K AK-203 rifles to Army". ThePrint. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
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