New Delhi, July 18 (NVI) India is expected to receive from Russia a substantial package of anti-drone shotguns, anti-drone cartridges of various calibers, and pistols by the end of this year.
A contract in this regard has been signed by Russia-based arms manufacturer Kalashnikov to supply small arms to partners in India, according to a media report.
Maxim Karavaev, the director of business development for the company in India, has reportedly said that the agreement includes the export of anti-drone shotguns, anti-drone cartridges of various calibers, and pistols to India.
The deliveries are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Kalashnikov, famous for manufacturing AK series of rifles, accounts for approximately 95% of the small arms used by the Russian military.
The agreement was signed at the India Homeland Security Expo, an exhibition of equipment and technologies for national and public safety held recently.
Kalashnikov already has partnerships with Indian entities and is involved in joint production of AK-203 variety of assault rifles in Uttar Pradesh.
Indo-Russian Rifles (IRRPL) was formed by Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov along with two state-owned Indian firms—Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and Munitions India Limited—and started manufacturing AK-203 assault rifles in India in 2023.
Under the project, 600,000 rifles are being made using Russian technology and certified equipment at the production facility in Korda in Uttar Pradesh.
Karavaev said that “anti-drone protection today is among the most popular in the world. The products of the concern in this niche are effective and proven. We are shipping anti-drone shotguns, anti-drone cartridges of various calibers, and pistols to India.”
At the event, the highlights included the compact Karakurt and Goliath helicopter-type UAVs and the SKAT 350 M high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, known as GARUDA in India.
Two 12-gauge anti-UAV guns—the Saiga and the MP-155 – designed specifically to counter first-person view (FPV) drones were also showcased, as well as uniform kits developed by Kalashnikov for cold, high-altitude environments.
