Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed a five-year agreement with Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) to supply indigenously manufactured 7.62x39 mm ammunition for the AK-203 assault rifle programme. The ammunition will be produced in India and will support rifles being manufactured at the Korwa facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The pact links domestic rifle production with domestic ammunition supply, creating an integrated small arms supply chain inside the country.
What Does the Five-Year Agreement Cover?
Under the agreement, Adani Defence will supply the 7.62x39 mm small-calibre ammunition needed for the AK-203 programme for a period of five years. Small-calibre ammunition is the term used for bullets fired from rifles, carbines and light machine guns, as distinct from artillery shells and other large-calibre rounds. The company will manufacture this ammunition at its facility in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The pact provides the AK-203 programme with an Indian source of supply for a critical consumable. A rifle system cannot operate without a steady flow of matching ammunition, so continuity of supply is as important as the rifle itself. The arrangement is expected to support uninterrupted availability during the contract period and reduce dependence on overseas sources.
The AK-203 Programme at Korwa, Amethi
Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) was incorporated in 2019 under an inter-governmental agreement between India and Russia to manufacture AK-203 rifles in India. Its manufacturing plant is located at Korwa in Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh, on the campus of the Korwa Ordnance Factory. The Ministry of Defence has designated IRRPL as the joint venture responsible for indigenous production of the AK-203 for the Indian armed forces.
The joint venture brings together Indian and Russian shareholders. The Indian side is represented by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL), both defence public sector undertakings formed on 1 October 2021 after the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board. The Russian side is represented by Concern Kalashnikov, the designer of the Kalashnikov rifle family, and Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state agency for defence exports.
In December 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with IRRPL for 6,01,427 AK-203 rifles, valued at over ₹5,200 crore, with production to take place at Korwa. Licensed production began in early 2023. The first batch of 35,000 rifles was delivered to the Army in 2024, and deliveries have since crossed 48,000 rifles. The contract is to be executed over about ten years, with localisation rising in phases from a small share in the initial lots to complete indigenisation in later lots.
In August 2026, IRRPL produced and test-fired the first AK-203 prototype, named Sher, made entirely from Indian components and Indian input materials. The prototype completed firing tests, including burst firing, and the company plans to hand over fully indigenised rifles for Army trials. IRRPL has also announced a target of reaching a production rate of one rifle every 100 seconds, which could advance delivery of the full order by almost a year.
Understanding the Rifle and Its 7.62x39 mm Cartridge
The AK-203 is a modern assault rifle of the Kalashnikov family, chambered for the 7.62x39 mm cartridge. The figure 7.62x39 mm describes the size of the bullet, with a diameter of 7.62 mm and a case length of 39 mm. This round offers greater stopping power at short and medium ranges than the 5.56x45 mm round used in the older Indian Small Arms System (INSAS), which the AK-203 is replacing after more than three decades of service.
The rifle is gas operated with a rotating bolt, which means a part of the gas from the fired bullet is used to load the next round automatically. It weighs about 3.8 kg, has a barrel length of 415 mm and fires at a rate of about 700 rounds per minute. Its effective range is up to 800 metres, and it uses a 30-round detachable box magazine. The design includes modern features such as improved ergonomics and Picatinny rails, which are slotted mounting strips that allow optical sights and other accessories to be fitted quickly.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Calibre | 7.62x39 mm |
| Weight | About 3.8 kg |
| Barrel length | 415 mm |
| Rate of fire | About 700 rounds per minute |
| Effective range | Up to 800 metres |
| Magazine | 30-round detachable box |
| Operation | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
Why an Indian Ammunition Supply Chain Matters
Adani Defence has built a large integrated ammunition complex at Kanpur in the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor. Spread over 500 acres, the complex was inaugurated in February 2024 and is described as South Asia’s largest private ammunition manufacturing complex. It was set up with a planned investment of over ₹3,000 crore and has started with small-calibre production of 150 million rounds, estimated at about 25 percent of India’s annual requirement, with capacity for medium and large-calibre ammunition and missiles to follow.
The entry of a private manufacturer into AK-203 ammunition supply is a shift for a sector long served mainly by state owned factories. Private participation in ammunition manufacturing has expanded in recent years, and the Army has identified 32 variants of ammunition in 12 categories for production by Indian industry in the first phase of its indigenisation plan. By pairing Korwa built rifles with Kanpur made ammunition, both located in Uttar Pradesh, the agreement adds a new layer of localisation to an India-Russia programme that began as rifle assembly with phased indigenisation.
The larger significance lies in self-reliance, or Aatmanirbhar Bharat, in defence. Domestic production of both the weapon and its ammunition protects the Army’s modernisation plan from supply disruptions, currency risks and import delays. It also strengthens the small arms ecosystem of component makers, testing ranges and quality systems around Korwa and Kanpur. As the AK-203 replaces the INSAS as the main infantry rifle along the northern and western borders, a secure home grown ammunition chain directly supports operational readiness and long term sustainment.
Key Takeaways
- Adani Defence & Aerospace signed a five-year pact with IRRPL to supply indigenous 7.62x39 mm ammunition for the AK-203 programme.
- IRRPL was set up in 2019 under an India-Russia agreement and manufactures the rifle at Korwa, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.
- The Defence Ministry ordered 6,01,427 AK-203 rifles in December 2021 at a cost of over ₹5,200 crore.
- The AK-203 (Sher) weighs about 3.8 kg, fires 700 rounds per minute and has an effective range of up to 800 metres.
- Adani will make the ammunition at its 500-acre complex in Kanpur, part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor.
