In Brief
- India test-fired its first fully indigenised AK-203 rifle at its Amethi factory.
- The rifle was made with 100% Indian components and raw materials.
- Indo-Russian Rifles Private Ltd aims to meet Army requirements with this model.
- Army trials for the AK-203 'Sher' rifle are scheduled for September this year.
India has successfully produced and test-fired its first AK-203 assault rifle, named 'Sher', using entirely indigenous components and raw materials. The milestone firing took place at the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Ltd (IRRPL) factory located in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. This development reflects a significant step towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
IRRPL CEO Major General Sharma confirmed the production and firing success, emphasizing that the rifle features 100% Indian input materials. The factory is a joint venture tasked with fulfilling the Indian Army's requirement for AK-203 rifles, which are an upgraded version of the AK-47 platform.
The 'Sher' rifle is currently set for army trials slated for September 2026. These tests will evaluate the weapon's performance, reliability, and suitability for operational use by Indian armed forces. This indigenisation effort is aligned with the government's prioritization of domestic defence production, aiming to reduce dependency on imports and enhance strategic autonomy.
