25/08/2026
MADE IN INDIA
India’s first 100% indigenous AK-203 assault rifle, named “Sher” (Hindi for lion), has been manufactured and successfully test-fired.81fbcb
timesofindia.indiatimes
This is a major milestone under the Make in India / Atmanirbhar Bharat push in defence manufacturing. It was produced by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), the India-Russia joint venture set up in 2019, at the Korwa ordnance facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.fb142f
timesofindia.indiatimes
Key details
Fully indigenous: Every component and input material came from Indian industry (true end-to-end indigenisation, not just partial localisation). Earlier batches used imported kits with gradually rising Indian content.f9ad4b
timesofindia.indiatimes
Test results: The prototype completed firing trials, including burst firing, with encouraging initial results. Additional fully indigenous prototypes are being prepared for Indian Army trials in September 2026.b6b387
Business-standard
Production plans: IRRPL aims to scale up to roughly one rifle every 100 seconds (around 12,000 per month / ~150,000 per year). Delivery of the ~601,000 rifles under the ~₹5,200 crore contract is being advanced by nearly a year (targeted completion around end-2030).df0592
timesofindia.indiatimes
Rifle basics
Calibre: 7.62×39 mm
Weight: ~3.6–3.8 kg
Rate of fire: ~700 rounds per minute
Effective range: Up to ~800 m (battle sight range around 350 m)
Barrel: 415 mm
It is intended to replace the older INSAS 5.56 mm rifles as a primary infantry weapon for the Indian Army (and potentially other forces).8c2bc8
Business-standard
This achievement was announced around 23 August 2026 by Maj Gen S. K. Sharma (CEO & MD of IRRPL). It marks the shift from licensed assembly of the Russian-designed AK-203 to fully local production under the Indian name “Sher.”
Surekha Vasava r Ashish Sood Tara Chand Mehlandiya Sarwar Hussain