CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -India signs AK-203 assault rifle deal with Russia worth Rs 5, 124 crore.

Detailed explanation-2: -The ‘5, 124-crore deal was signed between India and Russia in December-the biggest defence deal between the two nations in recent time.

Detailed explanation-3: -The upgraded assault rifle prototype was initially designated as AK-300 and then as AK-100M and finally in 2019 as AK-203. The Indian Army is procuring 670, 000 AK-203 assault rifles to replace the INSAS, through a contract with Russia. The first 70, 000 rifles were purchased from Russia and delivered in January 2022.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Rs 5124 crore deal was signed between India and Russia in December 2021, the biggest defence deal between the two nations in recent years. The rifles are being manufactured with a complete technology transfer clause that will also enable their exports to friendly foreign nations in the near future.

Detailed explanation-5: -The AK-203 is a Russian gas-operated, magazine-fed, select-fire assault rifle designed to chamber a 7.62 X 39 mm cartridge. It has an effective range of 300 meters. It is one of the latest iterations of the AK series of assault rifles designed initially by Mikhail Kalashnikov.