India eyes AK-103 assault rifles, looks for deal to 'Make in India'

[Zarvan]

Written By:

Zee Media Bureau



As part of its modernisation process, the Indian Army is eyeing the Kalashnikov AK-103 7.62x51 mm assault rifles for its soldiers. The Army needs over 7,68,000 assault rifles for its soldiers.

According Russian news portal SputnikNews.com, senior Ministry of Defence officers along with a team of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) officials will be in Moscow later in April to visit Kalashnikov rifle works at Izhevsk to discuss fast-tracking the government to government agreement for licensed production of the upgraded Kalashnikov AK-103 7.62x51mm assault rifles in India.

"A group of officials from the Ordnance Factory Board of Trichy and Rifle Factory Ichapore will be in Russia on April 24 to assess the Kalashnikov rifle works at Izhevsk. Later on, a defence ministry official will visit Moscow to have detailed discussion with the Russians," an industry source told SputnikNews.com.

India plans to build the AK-103 7.62x51mm assault rifles under its "Make in India" initiative. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her April 3-5 tour of Russia, had met her Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu and other senior defence officials. The two sides had discussed defence cooperation between the two countries and the steps required to bolster the same.

The AK-103 rifle magazine has a capacity of 30 bullets and weighs 4.1 kgs with bullets. The rifle can shoot in safe and full auto modes. The third generation of the Kalashnikov assault rifles and a modern version of the legendary AK-47, the AK-103 has a folding butt stock and can fire 600 rounds in one minute. The rifle can also carry a 40-mm under-barrel grenade launcher or a knife-bayonet.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Sitharaman, had on February 13, 2018 had given approval for procurement of 7.4 lakh assault rifles for the defence forces. The assault rifles will be "Made in India" under the categorisation of "Buy and Make (Indian)", through both OFB and private industry at an estimated cost of Rs 12,280 crore. The DAC had also given its approval to procure light machine guns (LMGs) for the defence forces through the Fast Track Procedure at an estimated cost of over Rs 1,819 crore for the operational requirement of the soldiers deployed on the borders.

The Indian Army and Indian Air Force have also got the go ahead to procure 5,719 sniper rifles at an estimated cost of Rs 982 crore. The Indian Navy, too, has the green signal to enhance its anti-submarine warfare capabilities and get Advanced Torpedo Decoy Systems (ATDS) for the purpose. The "Mareech" system has been developed indigenously by Defence Research and Development Organisation and has successfully completed extensive trial evaluations. The "Mareech" systems will be produced by Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru at an estimated cost of Rs 850 crore. The overall cost of the weapons approved is approximately Rs 15,935 crore.

http://zeenews.india.com/india/indi...-looks-for-deal-to-make-in-india-2101797.html

 

[koushik]

Russian weapon with a NATO cartridge.? :3

 

[Maarkhoor]

Indian officials are set to meet Russian counterparts to discuss a deal.

As part of its modernisation process, the Indian Army is eyeing the Kalashnikov AK-103 7.62x51 mm assault rifles for its soldiers. The Army needs over 7,68,000 assault rifles for its soldiers.

According Russian news portal SputnikNews.com, senior Ministry of Defence officers along with a team of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) officials will be in Moscow later in April to visit Kalashnikov rifle works at Izhevsk to discuss fast-tracking the government to government agreement for licensed production of the upgraded Kalashnikov AK-103 7.62x51mm assault rifles in India.

"A group of officials from the Ordnance Factory Board of Trichy and Rifle Factory Ichapore will be in Russia on April 24 to assess the Kalashnikov rifle works at Izhevsk. Later on, a defence ministry official will visit Moscow to have detailed discussion with the Russians," an industry source told SputnikNews.com.
India plans to build the AK-103 7.62x51mm assault rifles under its "Make in India" initiative. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her April 3-5 tour of Russia, had met her Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu and other senior defence officials. The two sides had discussed defence cooperation between the two countries and the steps required to bolster the same.

The AK-103 rifle magazine has a capacity of 30 bullets and weighs 4.1 kgs with bullets. The rifle can shoot in safe and full auto modes. The third generation of the Kalashnikov assault rifles and a modern version of the legendary AK-47, the AK-103 has a folding butt stock and can fire 600 rounds in one minute. The rifle can also carry a 40-mm under-barrel grenade launcher or a knife-bayonet.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Sitharaman, had on February 13, 2018 had given approval for procurement of 7.4 lakh assault rifles for the defence forces. The assault rifles will be "Made in India" under the categorisation of "Buy and Make (Indian)", through both OFB and private industry at an estimated cost of Rs 12,280 crore. The DAC had also given its approval to procure light machine guns (LMGs) for the defence forces through the Fast Track Procedure at an estimated cost of over Rs 1,819 crore for the operational requirement of the soldiers deployed on the borders.

The Indian Army and Indian Air Force have also got the go ahead to procure 5,719 sniper rifles at an estimated cost of Rs 982 crore. The Indian Navy, too, has the green signal to enhance its anti-submarine warfare capabilities and get Advanced Torpedo Decoy Systems (ATDS) for the purpose. The "Mareech" system has been developed indigenously by Defence Research and Development Organisation and has successfully completed extensive trial evaluations. The "Mareech" systems will be produced by Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru at an estimated cost of Rs 850 crore. The overall cost of the weapons approved is approximately Rs 15,935 crore.
http://zeenews.india.com/india/indi...-looks-for-deal-to-make-in-india-2101797.html

 

[KapitaanAli]

This will be OFB's back up plan against private players if their own 7.62 doesn't make the cut.

OFB has a very strong case with both the rifles, I'd say. All they need to do is raise manufacturing standards and do lobbying.

 

[Papa Dragon]

This will be OFB's back up plan against private players if their own 7.62 doesn't make the cut.
View attachment 468123

OFB has a very strong case with both the rifles, I'd say. All they need to do is raise manufacturing standards and do lobbying.

Which 7.62 is the OFB fielding for the tender?

 

[Flynn Swagmire]

Why india use this 7.62×51 high recoiling bullet as standard?

 

[koushik]

Why india use this 7.62×51 high recoiling bullet as standard?

Higher stopping power.
Better terminal ballistics.
Better accuracy.
Ability for a .308 NATO AR to be used as a DMR with a standard 2x or 4x optics.

 

[KapitaanAli]

Which 7.62 is the OFB fielding for the tender?

They're certainly fielding their R2 in the picture. It's undergoing trials now with satisfactory performance so far.

AK103 is confusing because it's not NATO rounds unlike what the article says. Unless it's all about making a new version. They did make a 5.56 version for export.

I think AK103 NATO will come into picture if the Army rejects R2. There's no reason to make a usual AK103 since we already produce rifles in 7.62x39, for paramilitary.

 

[Flynn Swagmire]

Higher stopping power.
Better terminal ballistics

Yes. But, modern body armour plates can defeat 7.62×51 bullet. (if im not wrong)

Better accuracy.

Well, accuracy relies on many factors like: bullet quality, rifle quality, the shooter etc. AKs are not known for their accuracy.

Ability for a .308 NATO AR to be used as a DMR with a standard 2x or 4x optics

Yes. But, maximum average soldiers are not marksman...

 

[Armchair-General]

Guess everyone wants it these days.

 

[koushik]

Yes. But, modern body armour plates can defeat 7.62×51 bullet. (if im not wrong)


Well, accuracy relies on many factors like: bullet quality, rifle quality, the shooter etc. AKs are not known for their accuracy.

Yes. But, maximum average soldiers are not marksman...

Well, this is just an article claiming the army wants upgraded AKs
In reality though, the Galil Ace-52 will win the rifle contest most likely and the OFB 7.62 NATO AR has high chances.!! They are way more accurate.!!

7.62 NATO can be stopped by Level-3 armour which is correct however limb shots from the same ammo can cause injuries which would result in death for sure.!!

As far as it's role as a DMR round is concerned any regular infantry soldier would easily be able to provide semi-auto marksman fire at ramges in and around 550-650m range..where a rifle with a .308 NATO comes in handy.!!

As far as long range sniping is concerned that is taken of by the SVDs and Galatz snipers in use with the army and the .338 Lapua Magnum chambered sniper rifle whose RFI was released a few weeks ago.!!

 

[Zarvan]

A closer look at the Kalashnikov AK-100M Series (TFB unique pictures)

The Firearm Blog is proud to present a line of unique pictures of the new and improved Kalashnikov AK-100M series.

The AK-100M is the modernized version of the AK-100, with the obvious addition of the “M” in the name.

It’s interesting to see some of the modifications I personally did to my AK (albeit a Shotgun, to make it more ergonomic and better to shoot) many years ago now find their way to production rifles. And I don’t claim to have been the first to have used those parts or modifications, far from.

The AK-100M Series

Kalashnikov have taken some of the improvements that came about in connection with the development of the AK-12. The AK-12 is similar to an improved AK-74M, although it is a new production with better quality.

Some of the “M” improvements are:

• Rails and Picatinny.
• Rigid, dust cover with optical orientation rail etc. Note, however, that you still have a short line of sight for the irons.
• Ergonomic grip• New adjustable stock. I’m told you can get height adjustment too.

• New flash hider
• Price about 1000 US Dollar

• Most spare parts for the old AK-100 can still be used with M models (which is not the case with the AK-12 in relation to the AK-74M.)


Caliber wise, here’s a list of how each model is chambered.

In short the AK-101M and -102M are 5,56×45 mm.

AK-101 here.

Below: AK101M in 5,56×45 mm. Magazine latch clearly visible.

Below: AK101M in 5,56×45 mm. The magazine is fairly straight. Note the side “rail” on the front grip, I’m not sure what it’s for? It looks like a sling attachment.

Below: AK103M in 7,62×39 mm and grenade launcher. Banana magazine. You can check the AK-103 here.

Below: AK103M in 7,62×39 mm and grenade launcher. Note the possible sling attachment.

Below: AK103M in 7,62×39 mm and grenade launcher

Below: The AK105M in 5,45х39 mm. Note the magazine which has windows and numbered 10, 15, 20 until 30.

Below: The AK105M in 5,45х39 mm.

Below: AK105M in 5,45×39 mm

Below: AK105M in 5,45×39 mm. Note the EOTech. Still, the line of sight with the irons remain unchanged.

Below: AK105M in 5,45×39 mm. Note the numbers that indicate the stock’s extension.

Below: AK105M in 5,45×39 mm

To compare versus the 105M, you can check the AK105 here.

Many thanks to our secret photographer for all help, used with permission.




http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...lashnikov-ak-100m-series-tfb-unique-pictures/