INDIA 🔗 Part of: Indian Government Actions and Policy Developments (23) · 24 Aug 2026 · 06:21 GMT ·2 min read

India Achieves Full Localization in AK-203 'Sher' Rifle Production at Korwa Facility

The Korwa Ordnance Factory test-fired the first fully indigenous AK-203 "Sher" assault rifle.

NEUTRALITY 75 · BALANCED· 2 sources

Hindustan Times

The Korwa Ordnance Factory test-fired the first fully indigenous AK-203 "Sher" assault rifle. This event signals a shift from imported kits to complete domestic production for the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited joint venture. The Indian Army intends to replace its aging Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifles with 601,427 of these 7.62x39 mm units by December 2030. User trials for the "Sher" begin in September 2026. These tests confirm the weapon meets operational requirements.

Context

The Indian Army plans to replace the INSAS rifle. The weapon suffers from magazine cracks and jams in cold weather. Indian and Russian firms formed the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) joint venture in 2019. This venture launched the "AK-203" program to provide a replacement.

Supportive perspectives

The shift to 100% indigenous production aligns with the defense self-reliance policy of India. Domestic content increased from 50% in June 2025 to 100% by August 2026. This transition provides the Indian Army with a fully domestic weapon system.
The Indian Army is replacing the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle with the AK-203 "Sher" assault rifle. The Army reported that the INSAS rifle suffered from jamming and magazine cracking in cold weather. This replacement is a priority for the modernization of infantry equipment.
The Korwa Ordnance Factory completed initial firing trials for the 'Sher' in August 2026. These tests confirmed the rifle's functionality in automatic and burst modes. The project relies on a full technology transfer from Russian partners finalized between 2023 and 2024.
The program aims to deliver 601,427 rifles by December 2030. This date accelerates the original October 2032 target. The facility must maintain a production rate of 600 rifles per day to meet this goal.

Critical perspectives

The project requires increased production capacity to meet the December 2030 deadline. The Korwa facility must produce 600 rifles daily to fulfill the 601,427-unit contract.
The AK-203 program contract totals 52 billion rupees (5,200 crore). This expenditure impacts the defense budget. The government weighs this cost against other modernization needs.
The Indian Army received initial AK-203 units in 2024 that relied on imported knock-down kits. The program transitioned from assembly to full domestic manufacturing. It now faces the task of maintaining quality at scale.
The Indian Army completed initial firing trials. The service has not yet conducted formal user trials. These trials begin in September 2026. Soldiers will then verify the weapon's performance in field conditions.