Kalashnikov AK-203

Assault Rifle [ 2023 ]

The Kalashnikov AK-203 is an Indian-centric assault rifle designed at the end of the 2000s.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/21/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from official Kalashnikov marketing materials.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]

Advertisements

The Kalashnikov AK-203 is a joint Indian-Russian assault rifle venture centered on the modern AK-103 system currently utilized by the Russian military. The design maintains the same 7.62x39mm cartridge chambering, as well as its general form-and-function, and provides the Indian military with a local, proven infantry-level solution. In 2022, it was announced that local, licensed production of the rifle was approved by Russia, opening the door to serial manufacture of the weapon to follow.

Development of this firearm took place from 2007 to 2010.

The current Indian Army standard-issue rifle is the indigenously designed, developed, and produced INSAS (detailed elsewhere on this site) chambered in the intermediate 5.56mm rifle cartridge. While effective, the round tends to lose its penetration qualities at medium-to-long ranges, reducing effectiveness of such a weapon in open-field warfare. The AK-203 would enhance penetration at-range through its full-power 7.62mm rifle caliber built around the proven Kalashnikov gas-operated action and easy-to-use/easy-to-maintain in-the-field pedigree.

The AK-203 sports a section of Picatinny rail over the frame as well as over and under the handguard, allowing for the installation of various optics, aimers, and other tactical accessories. The rifle maintains its iron sights as a back-up measure. A slotted muzzle brake is attached to the "business" end of the gun to aid in recoil. All controls (including charging handle) are set to the right side of the frame in the usual way (as is the ejection port). The weapon is fed by way of 30-round detachable box magazine though a 50-round capacity, quad-stacked magazine is also supported. The shoulder stock is "skeletal" and adjustable to reduce weight and allow for shooter customizability, respectively. As in other Kalashnikov assault rifles, the AK-203 features the identifiable over-barrel gas cylinder arrangement (its internal action is gas-operation with rotating bolt). Unloaded weight of the complete system is 3.8 kilograms.

Dimensions include an overall, extended length of 37 inches with a collapsed overall length of 27.8 inches. The barrel assembly measures 16.3 inches.

Rate-of-fire reaches approximately 700 rounds-per-minute and range is out to 800 meters (effective, maximum).

The addition of the new AK-203 will no doubt enhance Indian infantryman prowess in the field, particularly in the open warfare of the country's mountainous regions against such regional players as China and Pakistan.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

March 2022 - Russia has approved local, licensed production of its AK-203 in India.

Specifications

Service Year

2023

Origin

India

Classification

Assault Rifle

Indo-Russia Rifles - India / Kalashnikov Concern - Russia

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

India

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Automatic Function
Features a mechanical function to automate the firing action.

✓ Assault Rifle
Modern class of long gun featuring select-fire properties, automatic internal function, and magazine feeding.

SEMI-AUTO FIRE

Internal action allows release of single round per trigger pull, actuating a semi-automatic loading mechanism for successive shots.

FULL-AUTO FIRE

Internal action allows release of multiple rounds with a trigger pull in quick succession.

REPEAT-FIRE CAPABLE

An automatic, or pseudo-automatic, function is built into the system, allowing for repeat firing to be achieved.

SCOPE-CAPABLE / SIGHTING ASSIST

Supports mounting of optics (scopes) to aid in accuracy for ranged fire.

IRON SIGHTS

Supports 'iron sights' allowing for inherent accuracy in ranged fire.

CUSTOMIZEABLE

Design allows for user adjustability of certain components for customization.

ADAPTABLE

Design offers mounting points for external, after-market hardware including laser aimers, flashlights, scopes, and grips.

Overall Length

940 mm
37.01 in

Barrel Length

415 mm
16.34 in

Empty Wgt

8.38 lb
3.80 kg

Sights

Iron Front and Rear; Supported Optics.

Action

Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt; Select-Fire.

Rotating Bolt
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

Gas-Operated
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

7.62x39mm

Sample Visuals**

Rounds / Feed

30-round detachable box magazine; 50-round detachable quad-column magazine.

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Max Eff.Range

2,625 ft
(800 m | 875 yd)

Rate-of-Fire

700
rds/min

Muzzle Velocity

2,395 ft/sec
(730 m/sec)

AK-203 - Base Series Designation.

6P45-1 - Russian GRAU designation.