Russia, India discussing contract on delivery of Kalashnikov rifles

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - A contract for the delivery of the Russian Ak-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles to the Indian Defense Ministry is being discussed by the two countries, the firearm manufacturer announced on Tuesday.

The negotiations with the Indian Defense Ministry are at their final stage, and the contract may be signed by the end of the year, the Kalashnikov Group said in a press release.

In the process of preparing the contract, "Russian and Indian specialists have done a lot of preparatory work," it added.

The company pledged to start the production of rifles in early 2022 if the parties seal the deal.