Russian rifles, made in UP: Defence ministry clears proposed AK-203 deal

India is working towards concluding a ₹5,100-crore deal with Russia to jointly manufacture AK-203 assault rifles at a facility in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India next month for an annual summit. The defence ministry on Tuesday gave its final clearance to the proposed deal. The project envisages the production of up to 700,000 AK-203 assault rifles. Putin’s two-day visit to India for the annual summit, expected to be held on December 6, will have a major defence and security overhang. Watch this report for more.