First Indigenous AK-203 ‘Sher’ Assault Rifle Successfully Test-Fired in India

India has achieved a major milestone in its defence manufacturing programme with the production and test-firing of the first fully indigenous AK-203 assault rifle, locally designated as the ‘Sher’, at the Korwa facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.

The development marks an important phase in the localisation of the AK-203 programme. The rifle tested at the facility has been manufactured with domestically sourced components, reflecting the growing involvement of Indian suppliers and manufacturers in the programme. The weapon is now expected to undergo Indian Army user trials, which will evaluate its performance and suitability for operational service.

The AK-203 production programme is being implemented by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), the joint venture responsible for manufacturing the rifles in India. The Korwa facility serves as the primary production hub for the programme and has been established to support large-scale domestic manufacture of the assault rifle.

Under the programme, IRRPL is tasked with producing 601,427 AK-203 rifles under a contract valued at approximately ₹5,200 crore. The project is aimed at providing the Indian armed forces with a modern assault rifle while simultaneously expanding India’s domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.

Production capacity at the Korwa facility is also being scaled up. The plant is designed to manufacture around 12,000 rifles per month, allowing the contracted quantity to be delivered on an accelerated schedule. The programme is currently targeting completion of deliveries by December 2030.

The AK-203 is based on the well-known Kalashnikov rifle family and is intended to replace the Indian Army’s ageing INSAS rifles. The weapon has been selected to provide troops with a modern and reliable individual assault rifle while benefiting from the established design and operating characteristics of the Kalashnikov platform.

The first fully indigenous rifle is particularly significant because the programme has moved beyond assembly and licensed production towards greater localisation of components and manufacturing processes. This transition supports the government’s broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and its objective of increasing domestic participation in defence production.

The Korwa project also represents an important element of the long-standing India-Russia defence manufacturing partnership. While the AK-203 is based on a Russian-origin design, its production in India is creating domestic industrial capabilities and strengthening the local defence supply chain.

The upcoming Indian Army user trials will be a key stage for the programme. Successful completion of the evaluation could clear the way for wider induction of the domestically manufactured AK-203 ‘Sher’, further strengthening India’s small-arms production ecosystem and reducing dependence on imported assault rifles.