Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Amethi Factory Test-Fires Fully Indigenous AK-203 Sher Rifle
India has made and test-fired a new AK-203 rifle called “Sher.”
It was produced at an IRRPL factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
The company says all of the rifle’s parts and raw materials came from Indian industry.
The rifle uses 7.62×39mm ammunition and is based on the Kalashnikov design.
It can fire about 700 rounds per minute and reach targets up to 800 metres away.
Its magazine holds 30 rounds.
More prototypes will be tested by the Indian Army in September 2026.
The company plans to make about six lakh rifles and produce one rifle every 100 seconds.
These rifles could help replace older INSAS rifles and reduce dependence on imported materials.
Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited test-fired India’s first AK-203 rifle made with 100% Indian components and input materials.
The rifle, called “Sher,” uses 7.62×39mm ammunition, fires around 700 rounds per minute and has an effective range of up to 800 metres.
IRRPL is preparing additional fully indigenised prototypes for formal Indian Army trials scheduled for September 2026.
Under a ₹5,200 crore contract, the company must supply 6,01,427 rifles and aims to complete delivery by December 2030.
IRRPL plans to move toward producing one AK-203 every 100 seconds, with the rifles intended to strengthen the Army’s small-arms inventory and replace older INSAS rifles.
- Who
- Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, led by Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Major General SK Sharma, produced the rifle for the Indian armed forces.
- What
- IRRPL produced and successfully test-fired the first AK-203 “Sher” rifle it says was made with 100% Indian components and input materials.
- When
- The prototype has been test-fired, with formal Indian Army trials planned for September 2026; delivery is targeted for completion by December 2030.
- Where
- The rifle was produced and fired at the IRRPL facility in Korwa, Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The programme is intended to strengthen the Indian Army’s small-arms inventory, replace older INSAS rifles and expand domestic defence manufacturing.
- Rifle name
- AK-203, called “Sher”
- Indigenisation claim
- IRRPL says the prototype uses 100% Indian components and input materials, including raw materials.
- Ammunition
- 7.62×39mm
- Firing rate
- Around 700 rounds per minute
- Effective range
- Up to 800 metres, depending on sight settings and engagement conditions
- Contract
- ₹5,200 crore for 6,01,427 rifles
- Production and delivery plan
- IRRPL plans to produce one rifle every 100 seconds and complete the order by December 2030
- Army trials
- Formal trials of additional fully indigenised prototypes are scheduled for September 2026
