Indigenous “Sher” Rifle Production to Double Army Supply by 2030
The AK‑203 rifle being produced in Amethi—renamed “Sher”—will be fully indigenous by December 31, 2025. From mid‑2026, the plant will manufacture 150,000 rifles annually, doubling the previous target and delivering over 600,000 rifles to the Indian Army by 2030. Russia’s cooperation has already supplied 48,000 rifles to the Army.
From AK‑203 to Sher: Fully Made in India
Under an Indian‑Russian joint venture, the advanced AK‑203 rifles are being fully built in India. With all parts made domestically by year-end, the rifle will officially be called the “Sher” (lion).
Production Targets: 150,000 Rifles Per Year
The first fully indigenous Sher will be ready by December 2025 and delivered promptly. From June 2026, the Amaethi factory will produce 150,000 rifles per year—over twice the original target—reaching one rifle every 100 seconds (about 600 rifles per day).
Supply Schedule & Exports
Instead of the earlier target of 70,000 rifles per year, the Indian Army will receive 120,000 Sher rifles annually from next year. The total order of 601,427 rifles, originally spread until 2032, will now be completed by 2030.
The Amethi plant has already delivered 48,000 rifles made with Russian assistance. Beginning next year, the factory will also export 30,000 rifles annually. Many nations in East Asia and Africa are interested in purchasing Sher. India’s police and paramilitary forces will also receive priority access.
JV Structure & Quality Standards
The rifles are produced by Indian‑Russian Rifles Production Pvt Ltd (IRRPL), a joint venture with 50.5% Indian (Ministry of Defence) and 49.5% Russian ownership. MG SK Sharma, serving Indian Army major general, heads IRRPL as MD & CEO.
By October 2025, 70% of parts will be India‑made; by December, 100%. Each Sher rifle undergoes 121 quality checks and test‑firing to match performance of Russian AK‑203s. Russia has no objection to exporting under the name “Sher”.
A Milestone in India‑Russia Defence Partnership
Following the success of BrahMos, the Sher rifle stands as the second major achievement in India‑Russia collaboration. With global demand rising, IRRPL aims to become one of the top five rifle manufacturers in the world through exports.