New Delhi: India has achieved a major milestone in indigenous defence manufacturing with the production and successful test-firing of the country’s first 100% indigenised AK-203 assault rifle, named ‘Sher’, at the Korwa facility of Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
The breakthrough marks the completion of a years-long transition from licensed production of the Russian-designed AK-203 to a rifle manufactured using Indian components and input materials across the supply chain. IRRPL is a joint venture involving Indian and Russian defence entities established in 2019 to manufacture AK-203 rifles in India.
‘Sher’ Completes Firing Tests
According to IRRPL, the first fully indigenous rifle has successfully undergone firing, including automatic and burst firing, with the initial results described as encouraging.
Maj Gen S K Sharma, CEO and Managing Director of IRRPL, said the rifle represents “100% Genuine Indigenisation”, with every component and input material sourced from Indian industry. The company is now preparing additional prototypes of the indigenous configuration for formal evaluation by the Indian Army, expected in September 2026.
IRRPL has successfully test-fired the first 100% indigenous prototype of AK-203, SHER.
Indian Army to soon get the indigenous guns. pic.twitter.com/99bzeOOS0j
— Akash Sharma (@kaidensharmaa) August 23, 2026
The Army trials will be an important next step before the fully indigenous version enters wider production and induction.
From Russian Kits to Indian Manufacturing
The AK-203 programme was launched under the India-Russia defence partnership, with the Korwa facility originally manufacturing rifles using imported kits. Over time, Indian content was progressively increased as domestic suppliers were developed for critical components.
The latest achievement means the rifle has moved beyond simple assembly in India, with IRRPL now claiming complete localisation of the components and raw materials used in the tested rifle.
The development is being viewed as an important step in the Atmanirbhar Bharat push to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment and build a domestic military-industrial supply chain.
Over 6 Lakh Rifles for the Indian Army
IRRPL has a contract to manufacture 601,427 AK-203 rifles for the Indian Army under a programme estimated at around ₹5,200 crore. The rifles are intended to replace the ageing INSAS assault rifles in service with the Army.
The company is also working to increase production capacity to approximately one rifle every 100 seconds, which would allow it to accelerate deliveries. IRRPL has indicated that the overall delivery schedule has been brought forward, with completion now targeted for December 2030, ahead of the original schedule.
AK-203: Key Features
The AK-203 is a 7.62×39 mm, gas-operated assault rifle based on the Kalashnikov family. It combines the platform’s established reliability with updated ergonomics and provisions for mounting modern accessories.
The rifle has a reported firing rate of around 700 rounds per minute and an effective range of up to 800 metres. Its induction is expected to provide the Army with a modern replacement for the older INSAS platform.
The fully indigenous ‘Sher’ therefore represents more than a new rifle for the Indian Army: it is a significant test of India’s ability to develop and sustain a domestic supply chain for complex small arms at scale.
The next major milestone will be the Indian Army’s formal trials of the indigenous prototypes, which will determine the rifle’s progression towards wider induction.
