CEO of Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd at Masters’ Union’s Fireside Chat

Masters’ Union at the Gurugram Campus recently hosted Major General S.K. Sharma, MD & CEO of Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd, for a fireside chat, exploring leadership, defense manufacturing, and Indo-Russian collaboration.

Major General S.K. Sharma’s journey, from a small village in Chhattisgarh to becoming a Major General in the Indian Army and now MD & CEO of Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd, illustrates how Army leadership principles can be applied effectively in corporate governance. He emphasised that integrity, discipline, and loyalty form the foundation of leadership, whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom. During the fireside chat, he shared vivid operational experiences, including helicopter missions in Kashmir, highlighting leadership in extreme environments, quick thinking under pressure, and the importance of mission-first decision-making.

Principles Guiding Leadership

1. Integrity, discipline, and loyalty

2. Decision-making under high-pressure conditions

3. Aligning teams with purpose and people
   
   

Building a World-Class Defense Manufacturing Enterprise

Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd stands as a model of operational excellence and international collaboration. As a joint venture between India and Russia, the company produces the AK-203 rifle, named “Sher,” for Indian Army soldiers deployed in high-risk zones. Sharma stressed that operational reliability and precision are non-negotiable, reflecting the same discipline he learned in the Army. The company’s focus on precision demonstrates how defence manufacturing demands a balance of technical skill, rigorous processes, and collaborative problem-solving, a lesson Sharma likens to leading a military unit.

Ensuring Reliability and Precision

1. Partnering with Russian experts to guarantee production excellence

2. Overseeing 50+ components from 54 vendors for each rifle

3. Maintaining zero tolerance for product defects
   
   

Operational Preparedness and Innovation in Defense

For soldiers, the most critical tool is their rifle. Sharma emphasised that technology alone does not ensure success; reliability, accuracy, and operational readiness are paramount. Indo-Russian Rifles prioritises these qualities, ensuring that every Sher rifle performs flawlessly in extreme conditions. Through this approach, Major General S.K. Sharma highlighted how aligning products with end-user needs, in this case, soldiers, ensures trust and operational effectiveness, a principle equally relevant in business strategy.

Designing for Soldier Needs

1. Focus on reliability and precision over flashy technology

2. Continuous quality control ensures performance under extreme conditions

3. Innovation guided by real-world soldier requirements
   
   

Strategic Management in a Complex Geopolitical Environment

Running a 50-50 Indo-Russian joint venture involves navigating complex dynamics. Sharma explained that his company must balance shareholder expectations, vendor relationships, and geopolitical challenges, all while maintaining operational excellence.

Balancing Governance and Collaboration

1. Managing multi-national teams in high-stakes production environments

2. Navigating government and private shareholder interests

3. Overcoming geopolitical challenges to maintain operations
   
   

Lessons in Leadership from Army Operations

Major General S.K. Sharma’s Army career provides a unique perspective on leadership. From joining the Indian Army as a 16-year-old to becoming a Major General, his early experiences living alongside soldiers, building trust, and leading operations shaped his leadership style. He shared anecdotes of helicopter missions in Kashmir, where decisions had immediate life-or-death consequences.

Leading in High-Stakes Situations

1. Build trust through shared experiences with teams

2. Make rapid decisions in life-and-death scenarios

3. Prioritise mission and people above all else
   
   

Scaling Production and Driving Growth in Defense Manufacturing

Under Sharma’s leadership, Indo-Russian Rifles has delivered over 55,000 rifles to the Indian Army. By 2026, the company aims to produce one rifle every 100 seconds, translating into 600 rifles per day, while also preparing for exports. This scale demonstrates operational efficiency and visionary planning. Building such capabilities requires balancing multiple stakeholders, from vendors to multinational partners, reflecting lessons in both operational management and corporate strategy.

Achieving High-Volume Production

1. Strategic capacity expansion to achieve high-volume output

2. Integrating local and foreign expertise for quality assurance

3. Leveraging production data to optimise efficiency and reduce lead times
   
   

Cultivating Purpose-Driven Leadership

One of the core takeaways from Sharma’s session is the centrality of people and purpose. Army principles like discipline, loyalty, and integrity are transferable to any organisational context, shaping high-performing teams and fostering accountability.

Applying Military Principles in Corporate Leadership

1. Align teams around a shared mission

2. Maintain discipline and integrity at every level

3. Foster a culture where accountability and performance are inseparable
   
   

The fireside chat with Major General S.K. Sharma provided an unparalleled perspective on leadership, operational excellence, and defense manufacturing. From trust-building and high-stakes decision-making to strategic management and scaling production, his journey illustrates how lessons from the Army can shape corporate governance and entrepreneurial ventures. Sharma’s insights remind students, professionals, and aspiring leaders that purpose, people, and discipline are the foundations of enduring success.