Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:58pm on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday Defence
India's first fully indigenous AK-203 assault rifle, named ‘Sher’, has been successfully test-fired at the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The rifle is expected to undergo Indian Army trials in September. The development marks a major step in India's efforts to increase domestic defence production and reduce dependence on imported components. The AK-203 rifles are being manufactured under the India-Russia joint venture and are intended to strengthen the Indian Army's infantry capabilities. Successful trials could further advance the indigenisation of the AK-203 programme under the government's Make in India initiative.
