Our Bureau
Ahmedabad
Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed a five-year agreement with Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) to supply indigenously manufactured ammunition for the AK-203 programme, strengthening the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem and linking locally produced rifles with an Indian source of ammunition.
Under the agreement, Adani Defence will supply 7.62×39 mm ammunition required for the programme over the five-year contract period. The company said the arrangement will provide an Indian source of supply and support continuity of ammunition availability for the project. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
The pact brings together two key elements of the India-Russia rifle programme within the country’s defence manufacturing network. IRRPL, a joint venture between Indian and Russian entities, is manufacturing the AK-203 rifles at its facility in Korwa, Uttar Pradesh. Adani Defence, meanwhile, has established small-calibre ammunition manufacturing capabilities in India, including a facility in Kanpur.
The development is significant for India’s broader push towards self-reliance in defence production. By sourcing both the weapon systems and their ammunition domestically, the arrangement is expected to deepen local supply chains and increase the role of private-sector companies in defence manufacturing.
The AK-203 programme is part of a wider India-Russia defence cooperation initiative. In 2021, the government signed a contract with IRRPL for the production of 6,01,427 rifles for the Indian Armed Forces. The programme involves Indian and Russian defence companies and is aimed at expanding domestic production capabilities.