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Many of you have remembered the movie – Sarfarosh. A line comes there regarding AK-47 that even if someone keeps it underground for years, it will fire smoothly once taken out. The AK-47 gun always made news whenever there was some sort of serious assault going on. Our Indian army, too, used this in their combat operations. But, this time, the Indian army will get an upgraded assault rifle – AK-203. India has decided to buy 70,000 of these rifles from Russia in a recent defence procurement deal. Let’s get more ideas on this new assault gun through this Exhibit blog.

About AK-203

The recent Indian army requirement will help to replace the existing Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56mm × 45mm assault rifle. If one properly observes this weapon, this gun has 30 rounds in a magazine. Without a magazine, the weight of this gun is somewhere around 3.8 kg, and the firing range of AK-203 is 800 m. The best part of this weapon system is that it is 100% accurate and highly reliable. Hence, such guns will help the Indian army to strengthen their deterrence, apart from Carbine and Tavor guns.

India-Russia Deal

The current deal is a part of the project to build almost six lacs AK-203 rifles in India. This joint venture production is among Ordnance Factory Board, Kalashnikov Concern, and Rosoboronexport. The proposed deal also talks about 100% localized sourcing of materials during production. Russia is one of the biggest defence partners when it comes to getting defence technology products from India. India has been developing BrahMos missiles in collaboration with Russia. The current import of these guns will happen within three months after the payment of this deal gets completed.

Roadblock in the Deal & its Resolution

This defence deal of indigenous production hit a roadblock when OFB quoted a higher price than importing them to India. What happened was that OFB stated that it would take extra hours to build such ammunition if the transfer of technology takes time or gets delayed. Earlier, it was a bit of a perplexing situation, but once OFB came out with the reason, the Defence Ministry set up the committee to work on its amicable resolution. After the solution came out, the Russian President’s visit in late 2020 was the final nail to this procurement process.

Final Remarks

AK-203 ammunition will prove to be a boon for sure for the Indian army. Considering the deal and observing it showcases how the Indian contingent has worked on ensuring that indigenous production will help them lower the procurement price. Exhibit has covered more articles on defence technology that you can check by clicking on this link.

If you have ever dreamt of taking a long drive or going on a road trip, you must have probably pictured going to the tips of our country, or crossing the border into the neighbouring nation. But have you ever considered travelling halfway across the world without leaving the road? Well, it seems Russia plans on turning that dream to reality.

As per a report in The Siberian Times, Vladimir Yakunin has proposed a plan for a trans-Siberian highway. The Russian Railways president stated that the highway would link Russia’s eastern border with Alaska, an American state. This highway crosses a narrow stretch of the Bering Sea, which separates Asia and North America. It would connect Russia with North America via Russia’s far eastern Chukotka region, across the Bering Strait and into Alaska’s Seward Peninsula.

Vladimir Yakunin. Image: The Siberian Times

It is called the Trans-Eurasian Belt Development (TEPR) and should be constructed along the existing Trans-Siberian Railway, along with gas pipelines and a new network of trains for oil. The highway is expected to run across the entirety of Russia and will connect with existing road systems in Western Europe and Asia.

Viktor Sadovnichy, rector of the Moscow State University, said the network would help the Far East and Siberia feel more in touch with the rest of the world. He said: ‘Recently I returned from Khabarovsk, where I met with rectors of universities of the Far East – about 100 of them in total.

Russia’s western and eastern borders are separated by almost 10,000 kilometres of land and is connected by the Trans-Siberian railway. It runs from Moscow to Vladivostok and covers 9,258 kilometers. If the highway connects Europe to the US, it should take about 13,000 kms for a road trip from London to Alaska via Moscow.

Now though the idea seems like a dream come true for many, it will take a long time to be realized. The project is expected to cost trillions of dollars and will be one of the most comprehensive projects around the world. Yakunin is supposed to be a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which could mean a national interest in this project. He also stated that the project would give massive economic returns that will compensate for the massive investment.

If and when this project turns to reality, it would be a massive opportunity for automobile enthusiasts around the world to exchange their cultures. While cross-country trips are possible and undertaken by a few fanatics, it is not feasible for most. The extreme costs of crossing the borders, coupled with exhaustive hours of driving and multiple weather conditions discourage many.

Tag: Russia

Planning a road trip to America? You can take this route!