India and Russia recently signed an agreement for the “off-the-shelf” procurement of 70,000 7.62×39 mm AK203 infantry rifles, ThePrint reported, citing Indian defense industry sources.
These rifles will be replaced with India’s indigenous rifle INSAS, which uses 5.56x45mm ammunition.
The weapons are expected to delivered to India as of November.
The AK-203 is a modernized version of the Kalashnikov AK-103 rifle.
The infantry rifle uses 7.62x39mm ammunition.
Weighing 3.8 kg without ammunition, the rifle has Picatinny (MIL-1913-STD) rail on the top and side for a variety of optical vision devices and tactical accessories, unlike previous Kalashnikov models.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)