7.47 lakh Kalashnikov series assault rifles to be made in India; plant to be set-up in Uttar Pradesh

The Centre government has cleared the proposal to produce 7.47 lakh assault Kalashnikov rifles by the Ordnance Factory Board and a Russian Joint Venture firm for the Indian Defense Force. 

The plant is planned to be set up near Amethi district in Uttar Pradesh.  

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This comes right after the Defense Ministry decided to clear a long-pending proposal of the Army to procure around 73,000 assault rifles from the US under fast track mode, as told by official sources to PTI on February 2. 

Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approved procurement of the Sig Sauer rifles which will be used by troops deployed along the nearly 3,600-km border with China.

They said the rifles, being used by the US forces as well as several other European countries, are being bought under the fast track procurement procedure. 

In October 2017, the Army began the process to acquire around 7 lakh rifles, 44,000 light machine guns (LMGs) and nearly 44,600 carbines. 

India's defence budget for the coming financial year 2018-19 has been augmented by 7.81% to Rs 2.95 lakh crore compared to Rs 2.74 lakh crore allocation of last year. 

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(Edited by digital desk)