INDIA: ON TRACK TO BE WORLD LARGEST WEAPONS SUPPLIER

Written by Michael Thervil

Photographer unknown

When it comes to the Russian automatic Kalashnikov rifle also simply known as the AK-47, there has never been such a robust intermediate small arms weapon in the world. The AK series of weapons have vastly outsold the American AR-15 five times the world over. since it was adopted and put in commissioned by the Soviet Army in 1947, it has been seen as the weapon of choice by countries rich a poor, as a symbol of freedom by the common man and those oppressed, and even is seen on as the official armament on the flags of some countries. Russia has since modernized the AK series of rifles several times and this year, 2025, the tradition of upgrading the AK still goes on strong.

Russia has placed their bid into the southern Indian state of Kerala in order to furnish their police force with the AK-203. At the price point of roughly $1,100 in conjunction with the AK’s platform being world-renowned for its accuracy, cost effectiveness, simplicity, and ruggedness, it was easy for the Indian police force in Uttar Pradesh to choose the AK-203. But this was more than a simple weapons procurement contact. This contract was a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's “Make In India” initiative. What this means is that although the AK-203 is a Russian weapons platform, the manufacturing and issuance will be made in India. That means production facilities, production lines, and jobs for the people of the Indian town of Korda. Korda is located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Photo by Rosoboronexport

Currently, the contract calls for 35,000 new AK-203 to be manufactured and delivered to the Indian Army as well as the manufacturing of 600,000 AK-203 rifles to be manufactured over the next 10 years. That's a total of $660,000,000 added into the Indian budget. There's yet another kicker; and that is the production of the new AK-203 rifles are not just limited to supplying the Indian Army and the police forces within India. India will be able to manufacture, sell, and deliver the newest AK series of rifles to other third parties and countries around the world. India also gets to further enhance its national industrial capabilities and capacity as well as discover and implement new technologies that go far beyond weapon manufacturing, but to the areas of logistics and credibility in the world market as premiere weapons manufacturer.

This is great for India in terms of revenue and even better for Russia as Russia has the ability to avoid U.S. sanctions, earn revenue through licensing agreements, and further establishing themselves as a dominant player in the weapon industry. Of course, like the vast majority of weapons in the AK platform, the AK-203 will be chambered in its classic 7.62x39 cartridge. It is predicted that the AK-203 line-up will include cambering in other calibers as well such as 556./223., 7.62x51,.308, and 7.62x54r. The first customer on the list for India after their police and military seems to be Nepal.

This joint venture between state owned Indian firms Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and Munitions India Limited in combination with private firms Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), Rosoboronexport, and Kalashnikov appears to be nothing less than a sweet deal for all players involved as India places itself on track to be one of the world’s main suppliers of Russian arms.