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Exclusive: Indian Kalashnikov Rifle Coming Soon

Sunday, October 31, 2021 | Chimniii Desk
Key Highlights

  • The Indian Army and security forces are now the largest users of Kalashnikov rifles, and the government is preparing to launch an Indo-Russian joint venture to manufacture over 600,000 Kalashnikov AK-203 rifles in Amethi, northern India.
  • SSS Defence, based in Bengaluru, is now finalising the design and development of the 7.62x39 rifle, officially dubbed the '7.62x39 SSS Defence Weapon,' and will unveil a prototype shortly.
  • Additionally, SSS Defence has a retrofit update for the Indian Army's historical AK-47s that has been tested and is awaiting approval.
  • The modification includes the addition of a durable dust cover that locks in place without the use of an external lock, a new tactical buttstock, a new gas tube, a quad rail fore-end, and a flash suppressor.
  • According to SSS Defence, the package greatly decreases recoil and eliminates the distinctive 'pull up to the right' characteristic of the AK system.
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An Indian private sector guns technology company is preparing to unveil and test an assault rifle it believes is a viable alternative to the renowned Russian Kalashnikov AK-47 and derivatives. The Indian Army and security forces are now the largest users of Kalashnikov rifles, and the government is preparing to launch an Indo-Russian joint venture to manufacture over 600,000 Kalashnikov AK-203 rifles in Amethi, northern India.

SSS Defence, based in Bengaluru, is now finalising the design and development of the 7.62x39 rifle, officially dubbed the '7.62x39 SSS Defence Weapon,' and will unveil a prototype shortly. The weapon is a modification of the company's current P-72 Rapid Engagement Combat Rifle (RECR), which has a long stroke piston in place of the short stroke piston.


source: Livefist

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SSS Defence CEO Vivek Krishnan tells Livefist for the first time about the new AK-type weapon, "There is a notion that many people hold that the AK-203 is perhaps not the greatest weapon for a modern military force. It's adequate for infantry in general. I doubt the Special Forces would require as many AK-203s. On the back end, we've been hard at work developing an AK version. My crew affectionately refers the it as the 7.62x39 SSS Defence Weapon."

While the AK-203 is expected to become the standard issue assault rifle for the Indian Army's regular infantry formations in the future years, SSS Defence feels that India's recent import embargo, which includes 7.62x39 assault rifles, presents a chance for the company's prospective weapon offering.

"Because of the restriction on 7.62x39 rifles, I am able to offer my firearm as an alternative. While ours will not be produced in the same quantity as the AK-203, I am confident that I can market it as a very high-quality alternative at a very low price," Krishnan says. "What the AK-203 lacks, we make up for with a full-length rail. Our technical staff is not very fond of the AK-203's riveted rail. We used only the finest materials. Ours features a machined receiver rather than the stamped receiver found on the AK-203. Things have evolved, and there is no reason to revert to Cold War-era Russian technology. Our weapon will be capable of accommodating any optic, day or night, and any type of sight. The butt stock is both telescopic and foldable. The AK-203 is a reliable weapon. It is reliable as long as a long-stroke piston is used."

Additionally, SSS Defence has a retrofit update for the Indian Army's historical AK-47s that has been tested and is awaiting approval. The modification includes the addition of a durable dust cover that locks in place without the use of an external lock, a new tactical buttstock, a new gas tube, a quad rail fore-end, and a flash suppressor. This enables the mounting of an optic along the whole length of the rail, as well as an under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) on the bottom rail. According to SSS Defence, the package greatly decreases recoil and eliminates the distinctive 'pull up to the right' characteristic of the AK system.

SSS Defence stated in a series of tweets in June regarding the AK-47 retrofit kit, "No SF operator should have to fight with anything less than the SSS Def SOPMOD for AK." Existing upgrades, which are all imported, cost the same as a new weapon yet deliver far less. We pride ourselves on being an Indian-made system. Where is Atmanirbhar bharat's soul? While we appreciate the FN Scar, it is time to consider what is best for India. Threefold the expense of a new system, retraining, and developing new methods are not straightforward. Not to mention, we'll be importing all of the 7.62x51 ammo contained in this package for an extended period of time."


source: LiveFist

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Apart from the indigenously manufactured AK-203, the Indian Army is in the midst of inducting over 140,000 SIG 716 combat rifles from the United States and is on the verge of ordering almost 100,000 CAR 816 carbines from the United Arab Emirates. SSS Defence sees prospects in the sniper rifle, carbine, and assault rifle markets moving forward.

You can see videos of the updated AK-47 in action, as well as information about the company's other firearms developments, in Livefist's complete interview with SSS Defence CEO Vivek Krishnan, which is available on our YouTube channel and linked below. Kindly subscribe and share our videos if you enjoy them!


source: LiveFist 

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