SOURCE: AFI
Marking a significant breakthrough in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, the Small Arms Factory (SAF) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has developed a unique metal that meets the stringent GOST (Gosstandart) standards used in Russian weapons like the AK-203 assault rifle. This advancement is a crucial step toward achieving the goal of producing fully indigenous AK-203 rifles, marking a milestone for the country’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The SAF, a key production unit under the Ministry of Defence and part of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), played a critical role in this achievement. The factory, along with its metal suppliers, worked tirelessly over six months to develop a metal that would meet the demanding specifications required for the AK-203 rifle, a weapon that has become symbolic of India’s efforts to modernize its military with locally produced arms.
In an interview with News18, Surendra Pati Yadav, General Manager (GM) of SAF, shared insights into this landmark development. He revealed that this breakthrough in metallurgy would significantly boost the production of AK-203 rifles at the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) facility in Korwa, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The IRRPL is a joint venture between India and Russia aimed at manufacturing the AK-203, and Yadav’s team’s work ensures that future batches of the rifle will be entirely Make-in-India.
Until now, the production of AK-203 rifles in India was dependent on metal imported from Russia, a key part of the joint venture between the two nations. While the rifles were assembled in India, the raw materials—especially the metal used in their construction—came from Russia, meaning the rifles were not entirely Indian-made.
According to Yadav, the first batch of AK-203 rifles produced at IRRPL’s Amethi facility included components sourced from Russia. However, the development of this new metal in India changes the game. “The batches of AK-203 rifles that will be released after December 2024 will be fully indigenous, with all components—right from the barrel to the springs—manufactured locally,” Yadav explained.
The development of the new metal was no small feat. Metallurgy experts and technicians faced the daunting task of creating a material that matched the high standards set by Russian GOST regulations. This involved rigorous tests, trials, and countless adjustments. The challenge was even greater because the metal they were trying to replicate was significantly different from what was used in existing Indian-made weapons.
Yadav recalled the moment of success as a “Eureka moment” for the entire team. Achieving this breakthrough in metallurgy has paved the way for fully indigenous AK-203 production, something that previously seemed unattainable.
This development not only accelerates the production of AK-203 rifles but also represents a broader victory for India’s defence sector. The indigenisation of critical components, particularly in small arms production, has long been a goal for the country, which has traditionally relied on imports for much of its military hardware.