The Prime Minister today dedicated the Indo-Russian Rifle Pvt. Ltd to the nation at a function held in the district of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. This is a joint venture formed between the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) on the Indian side and Rosoboronexport and Concern Kalashnikov of Russia on the other. Concern Kalashnikov is the manufacturer of the famous AK-47 Rifles.
The joint venture has been formed to manufacture the latest AK-203 series of assault rifles at the Ordnance Factory Project Korwa. India is the first country that will receive the drawings and technological details for the manufacture of this assault rifle.
The joint venture, set up under the ‘Make in India’ policy will produce 7.5 lakh rifles for the Indian armed forces and the para military forces and these rifles will progressively be totally indigenised.
The Ordnance Factory Project Korwa was established to manufacture carbines and will now manufacture these modern assault rifles. Since most of the plant and machinery required for manufacture already exists, production of these AK-203 assault rifles can be achieved quickly.
The joint venture will equip our soldiers with world class assault rifles and enable them to deal with enemies more effectively.
The establishment of the joint venture will also provide an ecosystem for the development of defence production as part of the policy to establish the UP Defence Industrial Corridor and contribute to the economic well-being of the region by providing direct and indirect employment in the region.