Engineering:AK-203
| AK-203 | |
|---|---|
| File:AK203.jpg | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | India Russia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
| Manufacturer | Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.8 kg (empty) |
| Length | 880–940 mm (35–37 in) stock extended / 705 mm (27.8 in) stock folded |
| Barrel length | 415mm |
| Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
| Calibre | 7.62 mm |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt, |
| Rate of fire | 700 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 715m/s |
| Effective firing range | 500–800 m (550–870 yd)[1] (based on sight adjustments) |
| Feed system | 30-round box magazine |
| Sights | Adjustable Iron sights or picatinny rails for various optics |
The AK–203 is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, select fire assault rifle designed to chamber 7.62×39mm cartridge.[1] It is one of the latest iterations of the AK series of assault rifles originally designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. The AK–203 assault rifles will be manufactured by an Indo–Russian joint venture company called – Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited based at Amethi, India.[2]
The AK–203 assault rifle is going to replace Indian Army's INSAS rifles, the Army has a requirement of 750,000 rifles.[3] An Inter-Governmental Agreement has been already signed for the procurement of AK–203 assault rifles.[3] As part of the deal 70,000 to 100,000 rifles would be procured off the shelf while remaining 650,000 rifles will be manufacture by Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited company in India under Transfer of Technology (ToT).[3]
History
The prototype development of predecessor of AK–203 rifle, dubbed as AK-200 series has began in 2007. The first prototype of AK-200 was developed and tested in 2010.[4] 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.[4] The upgraded assault rifle prototype was initially designated as AK–300 and then as AK–100M and finally in 2019 as AK–203.[4]
Users
India
- Indian Army – Placed an order for 750,000 rifles[3], around 100,000 would be purchased off the shelf remaining 650,000 would be manufactured in India under ToT[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "7.62mm Kalashnikov Assault Rifle AK203 | Catalog Rosoboronexport". http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/land-forces/strelkovoe-oruzhie/assault-rifles-/ak203/.
- ↑ "EXPLAINED: The Trigger For India's Switch To AK-203 From INSAS Rifle And How It Targets Atmanirbhar Boost" (in en). 2021-10-10. https://www.news18.com/news/explainers/explained-the-trigger-for-indias-switch-to-ak-203-from-insas-rifle-and-how-it-targets-atmanirbhar-boost-4306877.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Indian Army to buy AK-203 off the shelf from Russia" (in en-US). 2021-08-23. https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/indian-army-to-buy-ak-203-off-the-shelf-from-russia/2315875/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Onokoy, Vlad (27 April 2019). "Kalashnikov AK-203: The new assault rifle of the Indian Army". Small Arms Defense Journal 11. http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/kalashnikov-ak-203-the-new-assault-rifle-of-the-indian-army/.
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