In a fresh push for defence self-reliance, Adani Defence and Aerospace has signed a five-year agreement with Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited. Under the deal, Adani Defence will supply domestically produced 7.62x39mm ammunition for the AK-203 rifle being manufactured in India. The arrangement is meant to build a fully integrated, India-based supply chain for the India-Russia rifle programme, so that neither the rifle nor its ammunition depends on sources outside the country.
Five-year ammunition supply agreement
According to the company, Adani Defence will supply the small-arms ammunition required for the AK-203 programme for the next five years under this agreement. This is expected to give the programme a reliable domestic source of ammunition and ensure there is no disruption in availability through the life of the contract. Notably, the deal links rifle manufacturing and ammunition production together under a single programme, making the entire supply chain easier to manage.
IRRPL manufactures the rifle at its Korwa plant
While Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, or IRRPL, manufactures the rifle itself, Adani Defence will now handle ammunition production. IRRPL was set up in 2019 under an India-Russia inter-governmental agreement specifically to manufacture the AK-203 rifle for the Indian armed forces. Its manufacturing plant is located at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi district. The joint venture's Indian shareholders are Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and Munitions India Limited, while the Russian side is represented by Concern Kalashnikov and Rosoboronexport. In other words, companies from both countries are partners in the project, from the rifle's design through to its manufacturing.
Government's 2021 order for over six lakh rifles
The defence ministry has designated IRRPL as the authorised joint venture for indigenous production of the AK-203 rifle. In December 2021, the government signed a contract with the company for the manufacture of 6,01,427 rifles, all of which are to be produced at the Korwa plant. With such a large number of rifles being built, a steady supply of ammunition will also be needed going forward, which is why a separate agreement has now been signed for that purpose. Adani Defence, for its part, has already developed the capacity to manufacture small-arms ammunition in India and also runs another manufacturing unit in Kanpur, where similar ammunition has been produced before.
First fully indigenous AK-203, named 'Sher', unveiled recently
Recently, the first AK-203 rifle built entirely from Indian components and materials, named 'Sher', was successfully assembled and test-fired. IRRPL's CEO and Managing Director, Major General S.K. Sharma, called it a proud moment, saying, "This is a moment of great pride for all of us at IRRPL." He added that the company had successfully built and fired this first rifle made from Indian materials, and it had also been tested. With a domestic ammunition supply chain now in place alongside rifle manufacturing, the AK-203 programme is gradually moving towards becoming fully indigenous.
