AK-203 | |
---|---|
Type | Assault rifle |
Place of origin | Russia |
Service history | |
Used by | See Users |
Production history | |
Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
Designed | 2007–2010 [1] |
Manufacturer | |
Specifications | |
Mass | 3.8 kg (8.4 lb) [2] |
Length | 880–940 mm (35–37 in) (stock extended) |
Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in) |
Cartridge | 7.62×39mm [2] |
Caliber | 7.62x39mm |
Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | ~700 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 715 m/s (2,346 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | 400–800 m (440–870 yd)
[2] (based on sight adjustments) |
Feed system | 30-round detachable
box magazine
[2] 50-round detachable quad-column magazine |
Sights | Adjustable iron sights or picatinny rails for various optics |
The AK-203 is a Russian gas-operated, magazine-fed, select fire assault rifle designed to chamber the 7.62×39mm cartridge. [2] It is one of the latest iterations of the AK series of assault rifles originally designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. The AK-203 was developed in the 2010s by Kalashnikov Concern in Russia.
The prototype development of the AK-200 series began in 2007. The first prototype of the AK-200 was developed and tested in 2010. [1] In 2013, for the Ratnik programme AK-200 was modified and renamed as AK-103-3. In 2016, AK-200 series project was revived and upgraded the AK-103-3 assault rifle prototype with KM-AK kit developed as part of the Obves programme. [1] The upgraded assault rifle prototype was initially designated as AK-300 and then as AK-100M and finally in 2019 as AK-203. [1]
On March 3, 2019, Russia and India inaugurated Indo-Russia Rifles in Uttar Pradesh. [3] [4] However, pricing disagreements, [5] [6] and international sanctions on Russia have caused delays in delivery and production. [7]
The Indian Army is procuring 670,000 AK-203 assault rifles to replace the INSAS. [8] The first 70,000 rifles were purchased from Russia in August 2021 [9] with deliveries made on January 25, 2022. [10] The remaining 600,000 rifles will be manufactured under a transfer of technology agreement. [10]
In an interview with Maria Vorobieva, Director of Kalashnikov Concern's Public Relations Department in October 2021, she said that some Asian nations, including the CIS, are acquiring the AK-203. [11]
In October 21, 2022, full production of AK-203s was announced at Defexpo 2022. [12]
On February 3, 2023, it was reported by Alexander Mikheev, director general of Rosoboronexport, that the first batch of AK-203s were completed at Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. [13] On October 12, 2023, it was reported that Kalashnikov Concern completed shipment of machinery and tools for India to manufacture AK-203s. [14]
The AK-203 is chambered for 7.62×39 and it uses AK-type magazines. [12] It weighs 3.8 kg, and has a length of 690 mm with the stock folded, or 930 mm with it extended. [12] Its rate of fire is 700 rounds per minute. [12]