Rajnath Singh attends SCO Defence Minister meet in Moscow; inks deal with Russia to manufacture AK-47 203 rifles

Rajnath Singh attends SCO Defence Minister meet in Moscow; inks deal with Russia to manufacture AK-47 203 rifles

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the joint meeting of the Defence Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Moscow. Russia on 4 September 2020.
• Mr. Singh was on three-day visit to Russia from 3-5 September 2020 to attend the combined meeting of Defence Ministers of SCO, CIS and CSTO members.
• Rajnath Singh will also be participating in the 75th anniversary event to commemorate Victory Day.

Deal with Russia to manufacture AK-47 203 rifles

• During his visit, Rajnath Singh, on behalf of India finalised a major deal with Russia on 3rd September 2020 for the manufacturing of AK-47 203 rifles.
• The deal says that the Indian Army has a requirement of 7,70,000 AK-47 203 rifles. Of this total number, 1,00,000 will be imported and the rest will be manufactured in India.
• The AK-47 203 is the latest and most advanced version of the AK-47 rifle.
• It will replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56×45 mm assault rifle.