AK-203 'Sher' Rifle: Inside India's 100% Indigenous Assault Weapon

Asianet News English

For the first time ever, India is set to roll out a 100% indigenous AK-203 assault rifle, proudly named ‘Sher’ — Hindi for Lion, the ultimate symbol of courage and power. Manufactured by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) in Korwa, Amethi, the Sher rifle is part of a massive Rs 5,200 crore deal with Russia to produce over 6 lakh rifles for the Indian Army.&nbsp;

Transcript

00:00It's lighter, it's deadlier and it's 100% made in India.

00:18Say hello to the Indian Army's newest beast, the AK-203 Assault Rifle, now named Sher.

00:26The lion is ready to roar.

00:30Developed by the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, a joint venture between India and

00:35Russia, the AK-203 will now carry a name rooted in Indian spirit, Sher, the Hindi word for

00:44lion.

00:45And just like its name, the rifle symbolizes unmatched courage, power and pride.

00:52We named this rifle Sher primarily because of two reasons.

00:55One is that once we are indigenizing, it is very prudent that we give some kind of Indian

01:00nice name to it.

01:02And what better than Sher, which is known for its might and speed.

01:06And second thing is if you read the code that we have, AK rifle, Shrest rifle, which is our

01:11motto.

01:13So Shrest rifle acronyms itself as Sher.

01:16The share isn't just a gun.

01:18It's a part of a Rs 5,200 crore mega deal signed between India and Russia in 2021.

01:27The goal?

01:28To manufacture over 6 lakh AK-203 rifles for the Indian Army right here in India.

01:37As per the contract, all rifles are to be delivered by December 2032.

01:42But IRRPL CEO, Major General S. K. Sharma says they'll finish the job by mid-2030, nearly

01:51two years ahead of schedule.

01:54And the world is watching.

01:57Several countries across Southeast Asia and Africa have shown interest in importing the

02:02Indian-made AK-203.

02:06It's not just foreign militaries.

02:08Indian demand is surging too.

02:11Paramilitary forces and 18 states and union territories have approached IRRPL to procure

02:18this rifle.

02:20And from next year, the numbers will explode.

02:231.5 lakh rifles a year.

02:26Of these, 1.2 lakh go to the army and 30,000 for police, paramilitary and exports.

02:36The AK-203 share is not just about numbers.

02:39It's a technological leap.

02:42Weighing 3.8 kilograms without the magazine, it's half a kilo lighter than the legendary AK-47.

02:50It features a telescopic buttstock, better recoil control and is compatible with advanced optics,

02:58giving soldiers more precision in high-pressure combat.

03:02Chambered in 7.62x39mm, the AK-203 offers improved accuracy and sighting over its Soviet-era predecessor.

03:13It's designed for the modern Indian soldier, agile, reliable and lethal.

03:20With these rifles in hand, Indian infantry units are ready to face the battlefield of the

03:25future.

03:26From made in Russia to made in India, the AK-203's journey reflects India's growing

03:33defence capability and confidence.

03:36And with Cher as its name, this rifle carries more than bullets.

03:41It carries national pride.

03:43India's lion is ready to roar and when it does, the world will take notice.

03:50India's lion is ready to roar and when it does, the future will be announced.

03:52India's lion is ready to roar and when it does, the world will slightly

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