The AK-203 is a Russian gas-operated, magazine-fed, select fire 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.
| AK-203 | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.[3][4] However, no contract had been signed then or rifles produced because of pricing disagreements.[5][6]
The Indian Army is procuring 670,000 AK-203 assault rifles to replace the INSAS.[7] The first 70,000 rifles were purchased from Russia in August 2021[8] with deliveries made on January 25, 2022.[9] The remaining 600,000 rifles will be manufactured under a transfer of technology agreement.[9]
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.[10]
In October 21, 2022, full production of AK-203s was announced at Defexpo 2022.[11]
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.[12] On October 12, 2023, it was reported that Kalashnikov Concern completed shipment of machinery and tools for India to manufacture AK-203s.[13]
Design
The AK-203 is chambered for 7.62×39, and it can use AK-type magazines.[11] It weighs 3.8 kg, and has a length of 690 mm with the stock folded, or 930 mm with it extended.[11] Its rate of fire is 700 rounds per minute.[11]
Users
India: Placed an order for 670,000 rifles;[14] around 70,000 would be purchased off the shelf, and the remaining 600,000 would be manufactured in India under ToT.[14] On 25 January 2022, the first batch of 70,000 AK-203s delivered to Indian Armed Forces.[15] Licensed production started in January 2023.[16]
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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ "Indo-Russian venture completes production of AK-203 first batch". Janes.com. 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.
- ^ 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".
- ^ "India launches production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles — Rosoboronexport".