AK-203
| 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 | |
| No. built | 1,05,000 (another 5,65,000 on order) |
| 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 | 7.62mm |
| 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
[edit]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] On August 28, 2024, delays in procuring more AK-203 has forced India to acquire 73,000 SIG 716s.[17]
On September 25 2024, it was revealed that following the sanctions imposed on Russia, several Middle Eastern and African countries were reported to have enquired with IRRPL regarding export of the rifle.[18][19]
Design
[edit]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]Its polymer front housing free floating case has been accused of being difficult to handle according to combat footage from the Russo-Ukraine war. It has a birdcage type muzzle brake device for better handling of rifle and flatter trajectory of bullet.
Users
[edit]
India: Total of 670,000 rifles planned.[20] 70,000 are to be purchased directly from Russia, with the remaining 600,000 to be manufactured in India under ToT.[20] On 25 January 2022, the first batch of 70,000 AK-203s were delivered to the Indian Army.[21] Licensed production started in January 2023.[22] Between May and July 2024, another batch of 35,000 rifles were delivered by Indo-Russia Rifles.[23][24]
Russia: In limited use by Russian Special Forces.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ "Products >Defense products > Assault rifles > АК203". en.kalashnikovgroup.ru. Kalashnikov Group. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "India inks another deal for 73,000 assault rifles from the US". The Times of India. 28 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ "Indian-made AK-203 rifles draw increased interest from Africa, Middle East". India Today. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 25 September 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.
