India produces over 600,000 AK-203 assault rifles for its armed forces

India, since gaining independence in 1947, has aimed for self-determination and reduced foreign dependency in defense production. As part of this initiative, the country is now producing AK-203 assault rifles, which have been adopted across all branches of the Indian Armed Forces. The majority of the initial orders, approximately 95%, are for the Indian Army, while the rest are designated for the Air Force and Navy. In addition to military use, state police forces, including the Kerala Police, are considering incorporating these rifles into their modernization programs. This development comes as a response to the dissatisfaction with the existing INSAS rifles, which have faced backlash for their performance issues, particularly jamming. The AK-203 has been praised for its reliability, ease of maintenance, and superior design compared to its predecessors. The assault rifle features a 415 mm barrel, a fixed side-folding Magpul buttstock, and allows for the attachment of various optics due to its Picatinny rail. It is chambered for a well-established cartridge and can use different sizes of detachable magazines. India has contracted IRRPL to manufacture a significant quantity of these rifles, and there is potential for further orders from both military and paramilitary forces, indicating a strategic shift towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing.