India Produces First 100% Indigenous AK-203 ‘Sher’ Rifle

Exam-focused facts from the 25 August 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

India has manufactured and test-fired the first prototype of the 100% indigenised AK-203 ‘Sher’ rifle.
The rifle is produced by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture of Indian defence PSUs with Russia's Kalashnikov and Rosoboronexport.
IRRPL CEO Major General SK Sharma confirmed that every component and input material is sourced from the Indian industry, achieving true end-to-end indigenisation.
The prototype successfully underwent firing, including burst firing, and army trials are scheduled to begin in September 2026.
IRRPL is mandated to supply 6,01,427 rifles to the Indian Army under a ₹5,200 crore contract, with delivery planned to be completed by December 2030 instead of the original October 2032 deadline.