mains 22 TS

<h1 class="ql-align-center">AK-203 Rifle Deal</h1> <h2>Context:</h2> <ul><li>The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has given final approval for a deal with Russia to manufacture over six lakh AK-203 assault rifles in India.</li></ul> <h2>About:</h2> <ul><li>AK-203 Rifle Deal signed between India and Russia, worth ₹5,000 crores.</li></ul> <ul><li>The 7.62 x 39 mm calibre AK-203 rifles will replace the INSAS rifles inducted over three decades ago and have an effective range of 300 m, they are lightweight, robust, and easy to use.</li></ul> <ul><li>The project will be implemented by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Ltd (IRRPL) jointly with the erstwhile OFB (now Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited) and Munitions India Limited of India and Rosoboron export (RoE) and Kalashnikov Concern of Russia.</li></ul> <ul><li>India and Russia had signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for AK-203 rifles in 2019 following which Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Ltd&nbsp; (IRRPL), a joint venture, was set up.</li></ul> <ul><li>The Ministry of Defence already floated a Request For Proposal (RFP) to the joint venture for the supply of 6.71 lakh rifles but the final deal has been held up over the high cost for each rifle.</li></ul> <ul><li class="ql-indent-1">The RFP has now been modified to 6.1 lakh after a recent deal for 70,000 rifles through the emergency route.</li></ul>