India – Russia 2+2 Dialogue: Agreements on AK-203
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
World Affairs
- Published
8th Dec, 2021
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Context
India and Russia inked an agreement for joint production of over six lakh AK-203 assault rifles at a manufacturing facility in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi besides firming up another pact on military cooperation for 10 years.
- The AK – 203 along with the SIG716 will replace the AK – 47 and INSAS rifles of India.
- The SIG716 is manufactured by US based SIG Sauer.
Key-highlights of the Agreement
- The deal was finalised at the 20th meeting of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) led by defence minister of both the countries.
- The agreement was signed under the Indo – Russia Rifles Private Limited Programme.
- The rifles are to be manufactured at a cost of Rs 5,000 crores.
- The countries also signed a treaty to amend the agreement on Cooperation for Kalashnikov series small arms manufacturing.
- This treaty was signed in 2019.
- Under this, both sides are to extend military technology cooperation for the next decade, that is, between 2021 and 2031.
Indo – Russia Rifles Private Limited
- Indo – Russia Rifles Private Limited is a joint venture called Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) that was formed by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and Munitions India Limited, and Russia’s Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov.
- The Kalashnikov is one of the most widely used guns in the world.
- It is a rifle manufacturing facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
- The Indian and the Russian entities hold a share capital of 50.5% and 49.5%, respectively.
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