Amethi-Made AK-203 Assault Rifles Ready For Indian Army: To Be Used In Carbine Role For Counter Terror Operations

Amethi made AK-203 assault rifles are set to boost capabilities of the Indian Army in counter-terrorism operations, as the army plans to use a modified version of AK-203 in carbine role for its troops deployed in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, reports ANI.

Under carbine role, the butt of the rifle is removed, thus reducing the size of the rifle, and also reducing the weight, thus making it easier to carry and to use in view of anti-terrorist operations.

A separate tender is being floated to buy 93,000 carbines under a fast track procedure, and a senior Lieutenant General-rank officer has been appointed as the member of the committee including other members from the Defence Ministry and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

ANI also reported top Army sources as saying, that carbines are useful in close quarter combat and can be highly effective during operations like room interventions.

The rifles would be manufactured at Amethi's newly inaugurated facility being run as a joint venture between Ordnance Factory Board and Kalashnikov, Russia. The plant was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 March 2019.