The Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) is set to achieve full indigenisation of the AK-203 Sher assault rifle by the end of 2025, with indigenisation already at 50% mid-year and expected to reach 100% by December. The rifles, manufactured at IRRPL’s Korwa facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, are part of a Rs 5,200 crore contract to supply 6,01,427 rifles to the Indian Armed Forces. The production capacity is slated to reach 150,000 units annually from 2026, with monthly output increasing to 12,000 rifles. Deliveries, currently ahead of schedule, aim to be completed by December 2030, nearly two years earlier than the original deadline of October 2032. The AK-203 Sher will replace the aging INSAS rifles and serve as the primary assault rifle for troops deployed on the northern and western borders, including the Line of Control and Line of Actual Control. This milestone signifies a major boost to India’s defence manufacturing under the Make in India initiative, enhancing self-reliance and potentially positioning India competitively in the global arms market. The rigorous quality checks and localization efforts underscore India’s growing technological capabilities in defense production.