Amethi rifles factory starts production

The Amethi small arms factory has started producing modern assault rifles, with the first batch set to be delivered to the Indian Army shortly. The modernised factory will produce over 6 lakh rifles for the Indian security forces and cater to exports as well.

The factory in Amethi was inaugurated in 2019 and production started just over a year after a ₹5,124-crore contract was signed between India and Russia for technology transfer and production of modern rifles.

The Army is the main customer for the factory, while the Air Force and Navy too will get smaller batches. Paramilitary and police forces are expected to place orders in future. The rifles are being manufactured with a complete technology transfer clause that will enable their exports to friendly foreign nations.


The manufacturing is being done by the Indo Russian Rifles Private Limited Joint Venture between Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd (erstwhile OFB) and Russia's Rosoboronexport.

"Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, UP, has produced the first batch of 7.62 mm Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles. The beginning of deliveries to the Indian Army is expected soon... Capacity makes it possible to fully equip personnel of other law enforcement agencies in India with AK-203 assault rifles," said Alexander Mikheev, director general of Rosoboronexport.