Army floats global tender for 6.5 lakh assault rifles

In a major step to modernise the infantry, the Army on Friday floated a global tender or Request for Information(RFI) worth over Rs 12,000 crore for 6,50,000 assault rifles for soldiers. These rifles will replace the current INSAS rifles used as basic and personal weapon by the soldiers guarding the borders and tackling terrorism and insurgency. The Defence Acquisition Council(DAC) had approved the acquisition in February this year to replace the rifles now in use for the last more than 20 years.

Giving specifications of the rifle as mentioned in the tender, officials said here the 7.62X39mm caliber gun should have an effective range of 300 metres, should be of modular design, light and have the capability for integrated open sight.  While a percentage of the rifles will be manufactured by the Ordnance factories, the Indian private industry will manufacture the remaining lot after approval from the Army under the 'Buy and Make in India' category, officials said.

The 7.62  mm caliber is more lethal than the 5.56mm INSAS rifle manufactured indigenously and  currently used by the Army and the ammunition of the new gun has longer range and accuracy.  Sources also said the new rifle will weigh less than four kilos to enable the solider to move fast in all kinds of terrain.  Moreover, the new rifles will also replace the AK-47s used by the Army, they said.  Also, the new rifle will hopefully have a life span of 25 to 30 years, they added.

In another measure to boost the aviation corps of the Army, sources said it will shortly start working on the project to have 135 light utility helicopters to replace the ageing Chetak and Cheetah helicopters. They are the life line of troops deployed on Siachen glacier, world's highest battlefield and remote areas of the North-East.

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL) will manufacture the Kamov light helicopters after acquiring transfer of technology from the original Russian manufacturer.  The IAF will get 65 such helicopters. The DAC had cleared the project worth over Rs 21,000 crores for 200 helicopters including 135 for the Army and 65 for the IAF.  India had issued the Request for Proposal(RFP) to the Russian manufacturer in May this year and Russia had sent back the approved proposal, they said adding this clears the way for joint production of the helicopters in India.