AK-203

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AK-203
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originIndia
Russia
Service history
Used byIndian Armed Forces
Production history
DesignerMikhail Kalashnikov
Designed2007–2010[1]
ManufacturerIndo-Russia Rifles(India)
Kalashnikov Concern(Russia)
Specifications
Mass3.8 kg (8.4 lb)[2]
Length940 mm (37 in) stock extended / 705 mm (27.8 in) stock folded (Indian foldable buttstock variant)
880–940 mm (35–37 in) stock extented / 705 mm (27.8 in) stock folded (Original adjustable buttstock variant)
Barrel length415 mm (16.3 in)
Cartridge7.62×39mm[2]
Caliber7.62x39mm
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire~700 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity730 m/s (2,395 ft/s)
Effective firing range400–800 m (440–870 yd)[2]
(based on sight adjustments)
Feed system30-round detachable box magazine[2]
50-round detachable quad-column magazine
SightsAdjustable iron sights or picatinny rails for various optics

The AK-203 is Indo-Russian gas-operated, magazine-fed, select fire assault rifle designed to chamber 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 (GRAU Index: 6P45-1) is a prototype assault rifle developed in the 2010s. It is chambered in 7.62x39mm. The firearm was originally known as AK-103M before being renamed AK-203 in 2019.

History[]

The prototype development of predecessor of AK-203 rifle, dubbed as AK-200 series began in 2007. The first prototype of 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]

India[]

The Indian Army is procuring 670,000 AK-203 assault rifles to replace the INSAS, through a contract with Russia. The first 70,000 rifles were purchased from Russia and delivered in January 2022. The remaining 600,000 rifles will be manufactured in Amethi, India under a transfer of technology agreement, by joint venture company Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL).

Users[]

 India
  • Indian Armed Forces – Placed an order for 670,000 rifles,[3] around 70,000 would be purchased off the shelf, and the remaining 600,000 would be manufactured in India under ToT.[3] On 25 January, 2022 first batch of 70,000 AK-203 delivered to Indian Armed Forces [4]

References[]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Russia delivers all the contracted 70,000 AK-203 assault rifles to India".
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