Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Saturday, Dehqan said that with priority given to aerospace and naval projects over the past 10 years, there has been a reduction in the local production of light weapons.
Considering regional crises, however, Iran purchased AK-103 rifles, the minister added.
He noted that some infrastructure for domestic production of the rifle has also been developed inside the country.
AK-103 is a modern generation of Kalashnikov assault rifles with 30-round magazines. It is currently a service rifle in Russia, India, Venezuela, Libya and Namibia.
The machine gun is so versatile that is now being used by Russia’s Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces and also by the Special Police Units.
Manufactured with 7.62×39 mm caliber, the rifle weighs 3.6 kg with empty magazine, which is loaded with 30 rounds. AK-103 can fire 600 rounds per minute.
The Iranian Armed Forces are furnished with a variety of assault rifles, but the most common weapons include AK-47, Heckler and Koch G3.