The Indian Army is proceeding with the acquisition of new assault rifles and carbines to meet a long overdue requirement. However, the problem is that the Army is changing its requirement-parameters too often and too soon, causing delays in procurement and embarrassment to the manufacturers. A report by Geopolitics Bureau.
The Indian Army is proceeding with another attempt to procure much-needed new generation assault rifles and carbines, following approval by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in January for the purchase of 72,400 assault rifles and 93,895 carbines. The DAC, which is led by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved the procurement of the weapons on fast track basis for ₹3,547 crore to meet an immediate requirement for the infantry.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Army had finalised the General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs) for new assault rifles in July, 2017. Approximately 1,85,000 assault rifles, with an initial requirement for 65,000 of them, increased to 72,400 by the DAC. The assault rifles being sought by the army must have the ability to integrate the Indian in-service Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) manufactured by Indian Ordnance Factory. The new assault rifles will have to remain in service for at least 25-30 years.
The Army requires 4,00,000 5.56 mm carbines. While the immediate requirement was for 83,000 carbines, the DAC has approved the purchase of almost 94,000. Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines must weigh less than 3kg and be of modular design.
A Request for Information (RFI) has also been issued for 7.62mm x 51mm light machine guns (LMGs), sniper rifles and anti-material rifles. The RFP for the LMG requirement is slated to be issued in May 2018 and the total requirement is for 45,000 LMGs. The RFI calls for 9,000 LMGs to be delivered within 4 to 28 months of the contract being inked. 5,000 sniper rifles are also needed. The Army has been seeking to acquire new assault rifles and carbines since 2011 and currently operates a bewildering array of assault rifles sourced from all over the world.
This story is from the February 2018 edition of Geopolitics.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2018 edition of Geopolitics.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE NEW WAVE OF MARINE LANDING CRAFT.
BAE Systems' new Littoral Strike Craft combines advanced stealth, comfort, and modularity to redefine modern amphibious mission capabilities.
PROVEN AIP FOR S80 SUBMARINES
The BEST AIP system is capable of operating at any depth and in all operational conditions, allowing it to adapt to any Navy mission and making it the most advanced AIP system on the market.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AI SECURE, SCALABLE, AND INNOVATIVE
Tardid leverages modular AI designs, robust cybersecurity, and adaptability to deliver secure and scalable solutions, integrating emerging technologies and refining strategies through realworld deployments, shares AASTHA VERMA, Chief Operating Officer, Tardid Technologies, with Geopolitics
TOT-AN IMPERATIVE FOR SUBMARINE MANUFACTURING
India's transition from offset strategies to fostering self-reliance through technology transfer (TOT) and local assembly highlights the significance of global collaborations like thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in shaping a robust, indigenised defence ecosystem, a perspective shared by KHALIL RAHMAN, CEO, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems India.
ENHANCING INDIAN NAVAL AVIATION
JYOTI SINGH reports how a powerful Indian naval air arm will prove to be the biggest seabased conventional level deterrence, both for the tactical and strategic battlefields
PROJECT-751-30 YEARS ON
India's ambitious Project-751, aimed at procuring six advanced submarines, remains stalled nearly three decades after its inception.
WINGS OVER THE OCEAN
Indian Naval Aviation is dramatically upgrading its combat potency with its latest inductions, writes Atul Chandra
HOW INDIA IS RESHAPING REGIONAL DETERRENCE, MARITIME DOMINANCE
In the theatre of modern geopolitics, control over the seas is synonymous with strategic dominance. With its vast coastline and critical position in the Indo-Pacific, India has always recognised the importance of maritime strength, outlines GIRISH LINGANNA
BUILDERS NAVY
The Indian Navy's modernisation efforts are picking up steam, with domestic shipyards running at full capacity, reports MIKE RAJKUMAR
THE NAVY'S NEED FOR SUBMARINES
While aircraft carriers have their place, submarines provide India with a more flexible, cost-effective, and survivable option for projecting power and maintaining deterrence in a complex and evolving strategic environment, argues AMIT GUPTA
