Archive · 28 Sep 2026
India's Infantry Weapons Shift From Imports To Indigenous Designs
India is trying to build better weapons for its soldiers.
It already uses rifles such as the SIG716 and AK-203.
Many of these weapons are made in India, but their original designs may belong to other countries.
Vivek Krishnan says India should also own the designs and technology behind its weapons.
This could help the Army change equipment more quickly when battlefield needs change.
SSS Defence has made a shotgun designed to help fight small drones.
Krishnan says soldiers will still be needed to capture and hold land.
He believes future soldiers will work together with drones and other unmanned machines.
India has contracted 601,427 AK-203 assault rifles for production at Korwa, Uttar Pradesh.
SSS Defence CEO Vivek Krishnan says manufacturing weapons domestically is different from owning their designs and intellectual property.
Krishnan argues that design ownership would allow India to modify weapons faster as battlefield technology changes.
SSS Defence has delivered its first counter-UAS shotgun to the Indian Army for use against fast-moving drones at close range.
The company says in-house research could reduce development times for new calibres or improved weapons to three to six months.
- Who
- The Indian Army, SSS Defence and its CEO Vivek Krishnan.
- What
- India is developing indigenous small arms and counter-drone weapons while seeking greater control over their designs and intellectual property.
- When
- The article discusses the current modernisation effort and future weapon development; SSS Defence says development cycles could reach three to six months.
- Where
- Production of the AK-203 is contracted at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Why
- To achieve design sovereignty and enable faster adaptation of weapons to changing battlefield requirements.
- AK-203 contract
- 601,427 assault rifles have been contracted for production.
- Production site
- Korwa, Uttar Pradesh.
- Production partnership
- The AK-203 is being produced through the Indo-Russian Rifles joint venture.
- Other rifle mentioned
- The Indian Army’s modernisation includes the American SIG716.
- Counter-drone weapon
- SSS Defence has completed its first delivery of a counter-UAS shotgun to the Indian Army.
- Projected development time
- SSS Defence says new calibres or improved weapons could be developed in three to six months.