Adani Defence signs ammunition supply pact for India-made AK-203 assault rifles

Adani Defence & Aerospace has entered into a five-year agreement with Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd (IRRPL) to supply indigenously manufactured 7.62x39 mm ammunition for AK-203 assault rifles being produced in India, according to a PTI report. The deal connects domestic rifle and ammunition manufacturing and is aimed at creating a more integrated local supply chain for the India-Russia rifle programme.

Under the agreement, Adani Defence will provide the small-calibre ammunition required for the AK-203 programme throughout the five-year contract period, according to the company.

Agreement links AK-203 rifles with local ammunition

The pact brings together two manufacturing components of the programme. IRRPL is responsible for producing AK-203 rifles in India, while Adani Defence will manufacture and supply the ammunition required for them.


According to the firm, the arrangement expands the domestic manufacturing base supporting the rifle programme and provides an Indian source for a key consumable used by the weapon system.

How the India-Russia AK-203 programme began

Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd was established in 2019 under an India-Russia intergovernmental agreement for domestic production of AK-203 rifles for the Indian Armed Forces.

Its manufacturing facility is located in Korwa in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district.

The joint venture includes Indian shareholders Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd and Munitions India Ltd, alongside Russian shareholders Concern Kalashnikov and Rosoboronexport.

The Ministry of Defence has designated IRRPL as the joint venture responsible for indigenous production of the AK-203.

6,01,427 AK-203 rifles to be made in India

In December 2021, the government signed a contract with IRRPL for 6,01,427 AK-203 rifles. The rifles are to be manufactured at the company’s Korwa facility.

The latest ammunition agreement adds another domestic manufacturing component to the programme, linking locally produced rifles with ammunition made in India.

Adani Defence expands small-calibre ammunition manufacturing

Adani Defence has developed small-calibre ammunition manufacturing capabilities in India, including a production facility in Kanpur.

The agreement with IRRPL will add to that manufacturing network by supplying ammunition for the AK-203 programme. The company said the arrangement would strengthen domestic capabilities across the small-arms supply chain.

It also aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat objective of increasing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Deal deepens localisation of India-Russia defence programme

The agreement further localises a defence programme that was initially established to manufacture AK-203 rifles domestically.

By pairing Indian-made rifles with locally manufactured ammunition, the arrangement creates a more integrated domestic supply chain and reduces dependence on external sources for ammunition required for the rifle system.

The five-year supply agreement therefore adds a second major domestic manufacturing link to the AK-203 programme, alongside production of the rifles themselves.