New Delhi, September 5: In the backdrop of controversy over Rafale Deal, the Centre has asked Russia that the Kalashnikov Concern should tie up with the state-run Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to manufacture the AK-103 assault rifles in India. According to report published in the Times Of India, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has rejected Kalashnikov Concern’s proposal for a joint venture with the Adani Group to produce the 7.62x39 mm calibre AK-103 gun.

The Adani group has recently entered the defence sector. The Congress has been raising questions on the Rafale deal signed by the government to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets. The party has alleged corruption in the deal and slammed the Modi government for purchasing the fighter jets for a higher cost. The Congress also blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for favouring Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence Ltd. and helping the company procure Rs 30,000 crore deal as an Indian partner to Dassault.

On August 31, The MoD has approved the acquisition of 6.5 lakh assault rifles, under “Make in India” program. The Indian Army issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the purchase of 7.62x39 square mm calibre assault rifles. The new rifles should have an effective range of 300 metres.

AK-103 is a derivative of the iconic AK-47 rifle. The AK-103 can be fitted with a variety of sights, including night vision and telescopic sights. In addition to this, it has an option of fitting a knife-bayonet or a grenade launcher. The rifle can fire 600 rounds-per-minute, and its range is 500 metres. The muzzle velocity of the AK-103 is 750 metres/second.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2018 05:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).