New Delhi: BEL Sahana partnership marks a new step in India’s efforts to manufacture advanced defence equipment within the country. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Sahana Defence Limited have signed a Teaming-cum-Supply Agreement to jointly design, develop, and manufacture important components for the Indian Army’s AK-203 assault rifle.
Signed in Navi Mumbai on October 12, 2026, the agreement aims to strengthen local manufacturing, improve the supply of key rifle parts, and support India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Details of BEL Sahana Partnership
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking, has partnered with Navi Mumbai-based Sahana Defence Limited to develop important components and sub-assemblies for the AK-203 rifle programme.
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The agreement brings together BEL’s engineering experience and Sahana Defence’s manufacturing capabilities. The two companies will work together to design, develop, and manufacture high-precision parts needed for the rifle.
The agreement documents were exchanged by Anoop Kumar Rai, Director of Marketing at BEL, and Brigadier Rajiv Kumar Singh (Retd.), Chief Strategy Officer of Sahana Defence.
Jayandran I, General Manager of Naval Systems at BEL, along with other senior officials and technical teams from both companies, attended the ceremony.
What Is The AK-203 Assault Rifle
The AK-203 is an assault rifle from the Kalashnikov family of firearms. It is being manufactured in India by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture involving Indian defence public sector companies and Russian partners.
The rifle is part of India’s efforts to modernise the weapons used by its armed forces while increasing domestic production of important defence equipment.
The Indian Army’s AK-203 programme is also important for reducing dependence on imported weapons and building a stronger defence manufacturing base within the country.
IRRPL To Receive Components From The Partnership
The components and sub-assemblies developed under the new agreement will be supplied to Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited.
IRRPL operates its rifle manufacturing facility in Korwa, in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district. The facility was established to manufacture AK-203 rifles in India.
The new partnership is expected to support the supply chain for the rifle programme by bringing more component development and manufacturing work into the domestic defence industry.
How BEL Sahana Partnership Supports Make In India
The partnership supports the government’s Make in India initiative by encouraging Indian companies to manufacture critical defence components locally. Developing these parts within India can help build technical expertise, strengthen local suppliers, and improve the country’s ability to produce modern military equipment.
Greater Self-Reliance In Defence
The agreement also supports the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat, which focuses on making India more self-reliant in important sectors. By developing more components locally, India can strengthen its defence supply chain and reduce the need to depend on overseas sources for selected parts.
BEL’s Existing Role In The AK-203 Programme
BEL already contributes to the AK-203 ecosystem by supplying tactical equipment for the rifle. Its products include holographic sights and passive night sights, which help soldiers aim and operate their weapons in different conditions. The new agreement expands BEL’s role by bringing it into the joint development and supply of additional rifle components and sub-assemblies.
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FAQs
AK-203 rifles are manufactured by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited at its facility in Korwa, Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh.
BEL and Sahana Defence have signed an agreement to jointly design, develop, and manufacture high-precision components and sub-assemblies for the Indian Army’s AK-203 assault rifle programme.
The partnership aims to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing, support the supply of important rifle components, and advance India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
