Sri Lanka, Sept. 8 -- India has successfully tested its first AK-203 assault rifle produced entirely with indigenous components and raw materials, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce dependence on foreign weapons and achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The rifle was manufactured at the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited factory in Korwa, situated in the Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh. The achievement highlights that every component and raw material required to build the Russian-designed weapon can now be sourced entirely within India.

India previously signed an agreement with Russia to procure 601,427 AK-203 rifles to replace the Indian Army's aging Indian Small Arms System service rifles.

Following the successful compl...