India Tests First 100% Indigenised AK-203 Sher Rifle at Amethi Facility
India has taken a fresh step in its push for defence self-reliance with the successful manufacture and test-firing of its first fully indigenised AK-203 “Sher” assault rifle. The prototype, built entirely with Indian-sourced components and input material, was produced at the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
The development is being seen as an important shift for the AK-203 programme, moving it beyond partial localisation to complete domestic production of the platform. Major General S K Sharma, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of IRRPL, said the successful firing of the prototype was a notable achievement not only for the company but also for the wider Indian defence manufacturing ecosystem.
According to Maj Gen Sharma, every component and every material used in making the rifle came from Indian industry. He said this went beyond localising selected parts and amounted to end-to-end indigenisation of the AK-203. The first prototype has already undergone firing trials, including burst firing, and the initial results were described as encouraging.
The AK-203 “Sher” rifles are being manufactured by IRRPL, a joint venture that brings together Indian defence public sector undertakings with Russian partners Concern Kalashnikov and Rosoboronexport. The production chain also involves Indian industrial partners and MSMEs, which support the rifle’s wider manufacturing ecosystem.
The successful prototype test comes at a time when India is trying to deepen domestic capability in small arms production and reduce dependence on imported components and materials. The company has said it is now preparing to manufacture the required number of fully indigenised AK-203 rifles for trials by the Indian Armed Forces, scheduled to begin in September 2026.
IRRPL is also working to raise its output substantially. Maj Gen Sharma said the company is moving towards a production rate of one AK-203 rifle every 100 seconds, a target that reflects efforts to expand capacity and streamline manufacturing processes.
The programme has wider significance for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, under which India is seeking to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing, build indigenous supply chains and expand the role of Indian industry in the sector. The first fully indigenised AK-203 prototype is being presented as a practical example of that approach in the small arms domain.
IRRPL has already been contracted to supply about 6.01 lakh AK-203 rifles to the Armed Forces under a deal worth around Rs 5,200 crore. The contract currently runs through October 2032, though the company has said it wants to finish deliveries much earlier, potentially by December 2030.
That accelerated timeline is dependent on capacity enhancement, greater indigenisation and production optimisation, with the company aiming to bring deliveries forward by nearly a year. The latest prototype and firing trial are therefore part of a broader effort to move from initial localisation to a more mature domestic manufacturing base.
The upcoming Army trials in September 2026 will be important in determining how the rifle performs against operational requirements before wider induction decisions are taken. For IRRPL and the programme partners, the successful test-firing of the first 100 per cent indigenised AK-203 “Sher” marks a key stage in the effort to build an Indian production line capable of supplying the Armed Forces at scale.
