Infantry weapons are considered one of the prime requirements of a country’s armed forces without which ground wars cannot be won and pitched battles with terrorists cannot be taken to a conclusion. Since times immemorial, mainstay weapons of armed forces have been helping nations meet their basic security needs and handle the emerging challenges in the domain of tactical level battlefield. As the fourth-largest standing army in the world, the Indian Army’s requirements for meeting its operational needs are significantly large. While the budgetary constraints being faced by the government is quite understandable, the Indian Army needs to undergo massive infantry weapons modernization drives in the not-too-distant future, pending which alarm bells may start ringing in the corridors of power in Delhi. Starting with automatic assault rifles, shoulder-fired rocket launchers, sniper rifles, pistols, carbines, Under-Barrel Grenade Launchers (UBGL) and ending with Light Machine Guns (LMG), the Indian Army requires brand new weapons for replacing the aging vintage tools currently being used in all spheres of operational deployment.
The urge for newer assault rifles
Assault rifles are one of the most crucial infantry weapons being used by soldiers on the battlefield. Starting with close-quarter engagements in an asymmetric warfare environment and ending with long-range direct line of sight (LRDLOS) firing during infantry sweeps towards the enemy during wars, the assault rifle remains the standard issue weapon of the ground soldier. While India decided to phase out the L1A1 Self Loading Rifles (SLR) and the highly obsolete Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifles during the early 1990s, more than 100,000 AKM rifles were inducted into the Indian Army as a stop-gap measure till the advent of INSAS (Indian National Small Arms System) weapons in the late 1990s.
Esta historia es de la edición November 2019 de Geopolitics.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 2019 de Geopolitics.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
NEW MANTRA FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION
AMIT COWSHISH explains why the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which is one of the biggest spenders, needs to watch out for the latest mediation rules.
NEW WAVE TERRORISM IN JAMMU & KASHMIR
KARAN KHARB argues that Pakistan's continued use of proxy war tactics against India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, poses a severe threat to national security. He advocates for a shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in counter-terrorism efforts, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review of military strategies and a coordinated national policy to address both external and internal security challenges effectively.
INDIAN NAVY'S PROJECT-751 - GERMAN TKMS LEADS SPANISH NAVANTIA AFTER FIELD TRIALS FOR AIP-SUBMARINE DEAL
German submarine-builder ThyssenKrupp (TKMS) and India's Mazagaon Dockyard Limited (MDL) have emerged as leaders in the Indian Navy's Project-751, which aims to build six submarines with Fuel Cell Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) and Lithium-ion batteries. Following successful field trials, TKMS and MDL have gained an edge over competitors by demonstrating their proven AIP technology and advanced submarine design tailored to the Indian Navy's needs.
VIKSIT BHARAT FROM A DREAM TO REALITY
The article explores India's ascent as a global influencer, emphasising its strategic advancements in foreign policy, defence, and economic growth. It also highlights India's challenges in achieving sustainable development and strengthening internal security. Adopting a forward-looking approach, the article envisions India's rise as a major economic power and a key player in global stability, as outlined by LT. GEN. A.B. SHIVANE (RETD.).
WILL MODI APPLY THE LESSON LEARNT FROM KOREA IN UKRAINE?
Speculation around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's possible visit to Ukraine raises questions about India's role in mediating peace between Russia and Ukraine. Drawing from its experience during the Korean War, India may seek to leverage its strategic neutrality to foster dialogue in a conflict where China and Turkey have also shown interest, opines PRAKASH NANDA.
UGVS: THE NEXT DIMENSION OF WARFARE
With the rest of the world developing unmanned ground vehicles at a breakneck speed, it is time for India to join the bandwagon at the earliest.
SUPERSONIC DESTROYER
The BrahMos programme has filled a critical gap in the Indian armed forces' missile inventory and continues to attract strong export interest, writes ATUL CHANDRA.
POLICE MODERNISATION: AN URGENT NEED OF THE HOUR
India is facing many internal security threats, and it is time to reshape the strategic dynamics by modernising the police forces.
FUTURE FIGHTER
FIA 24 provided important insights into the Global Combat Air Programme, which will redefine the future of air combat, reports MIKE RAJKUMAR.
FILLING THE GAP
A new Medium Transport Aircraft is essential for the IAF, but it will have to compete with other pressing programmes fighting for limited budgetary resources, analyses ATUL CHANDRA.
