Mumbai: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Sahana Defence Limited (SDL) have entered into a strategic partnership to strengthen indigenous manufacturing capabilities for the AK-203 assault rifle programme.
The collaboration aims to co-develop and supply critical high-precision components and sub-assemblies for Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), the joint venture responsible for manufacturing AK-203 rifles for the Indian Armed Forces.
The agreement was signed on 12 October 2026 in Navi Mumbai, marking another step towards strengthening India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem and promoting self-reliance in defence production.
BEL and Sahana Defence Sign Strategic Agreement
Under the agreement, BEL and Sahana Defence will combine their technical expertise, engineering capabilities and advanced manufacturing infrastructure to develop and supply critical components and sub-assemblies required for the AK-203 rifle programme.
The partnership is designed to support the production requirements of Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL). By bringing together BEL’s engineering and manufacturing strengths with Sahana Defence’s capabilities, the two organisations aim to enhance the indigenous content of key components and sub-assemblies.
Key objectives of the collaboration include:
- Co-developing high-precision components for the AK-203 rifle programme.
- Supplying critical components and sub-assemblies to IRRPL.
- Strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
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Senior Officials Exchange Agreement Documents
The agreement documents were exchanged between Anoop Kumar Rai, Director (Marketing), BEL, and Brig. Rajiv Kumar Singh (Retd.), Chief Strategy Officer of Sahana Defence Limited.
Jayandran I, General Manager (NAMU), BEL, along with senior leadership and technical teams from both organisations, was present on the occasion. The participation of senior executives and technical representatives highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration in expanding indigenous manufacturing capabilities and strengthening cooperation between the two organisations.
Partnership to Strengthen Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
The collaboration reflects the growing emphasis on domestic production of critical defence components and the development of a reliable Indian manufacturing ecosystem.
By leveraging their combined technical expertise and manufacturing infrastructure, BEL and Sahana Defence aim to increase the domestic contribution to the AK-203 rifle programme. The development and supply of high-precision components and sub-assemblies will support IRRPL’s requirements and contribute to the broader objective of reducing dependence on imported defence components.
The partnership also aligns with the Government of India’s vision of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, which emphasises:
- Indigenous manufacturing and technological development.
- Greater self-reliance in defence production.
- Strengthening domestic defence supply chains.
Supporting the AK-203 Rifle Programme
The AK-203 assault rifle programme is being implemented through Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, a joint venture established to manufacture AK-203 rifles in India for the Indian Armed Forces.The BEL–Sahana Defence agreement focuses on supplying critical components and sub-assemblies to support the programme.
The agreement represents a further step towards expanding industrial cooperation and building indigenous capabilities in the manufacture of precision-engineered defence equipment.
About Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is a Navratna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Headquartered in Bengaluru, the company specialises in the design, development and manufacture of electronic products and systems for defence and civilian applications.
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