Army Jawans who often complain about the 5.56 Insas rifle not being so effective when it comes to fighting the insurgents, may have a choice to fire the good old 7.62mm bullet, which they want to have. The ordnance factory board (OFB) along with the ministry of defence (MoD) is considering to introduce assault rifles with an interchangeable barrel. With this both 5.56 bullets which have less lethality and the powerful 7.62 would be fired from the same weapon.
However, sources in the organization also say that, since rifles with interchangeable barrel are not widely used much deliberation will have to be done before it is finally inducted.
Over 15 years ago, Insas, which uses bullets of 5.56mm calibre replaced the 7.62 self loading rifle (SLR). The philosophy behind the change was, that bullet of smaller calibre usually injures the opponent, which engages the enemy troops in evacuating their colleagues rather than fighting. SLR bullets are more lethal but the doctrine was that there is no need for overkill, as engaging the troops to remove the injured is more effective.
However, the troops are not finding 5.56mm rifles so effective in counterinsurgency areas where the objective is to simply eliminate the opponent. The theory of injuring the enemy to engage the enemy in evacuation helps in a full-scale war they say and preferred the old 7.62 bullet.
"There are some rifles with which both 5.56 and 7.62 bullets can be fired. The mechanism allows changing the barrel, magazine as well as the breach block. It can happen in a matter few seconds enabling a quick changeover, said director general of ordnance factory board DM Gupta.
Officials from MoD and OFB recently visited Brazil and Belgium where such weapons are made. A proposal in this connection is under consideration.
The OFB is also looking to develop state-of-the-art small arms in collaboration with a technology partner. The decision in this regard was taken in a meeting held at the National Academy of Defence Production (NADP) in Nagpur. A partner will be selected and the new weapons may be made by acquiring technology from the entity. Small arms include pistols, rifles and machine guns using bullets up to a calibre of 9mm.
The OFB has also developed a new rocket having a range of 40 kms for the Navy. An indigenously developed weapon - Kawach is used to target submarines. It also creates a cloud of aluminium particles so that the electronic equipment submarine does not detect the ship to fire back as the electro magnetic waves are blocked. Three versions of the rocket have been made and trials are under way.
However, sources in the organization also say that, since rifles with interchangeable barrel are not widely used much deliberation will have to be done before it is finally inducted.
Over 15 years ago, Insas, which uses bullets of 5.56mm calibre replaced the 7.62 self loading rifle (SLR). The philosophy behind the change was, that bullet of smaller calibre usually injures the opponent, which engages the enemy troops in evacuating their colleagues rather than fighting. SLR bullets are more lethal but the doctrine was that there is no need for overkill, as engaging the troops to remove the injured is more effective.
However, the troops are not finding 5.56mm rifles so effective in counterinsurgency areas where the objective is to simply eliminate the opponent. The theory of injuring the enemy to engage the enemy in evacuation helps in a full-scale war they say and preferred the old 7.62 bullet.
"There are some rifles with which both 5.56 and 7.62 bullets can be fired. The mechanism allows changing the barrel, magazine as well as the breach block. It can happen in a matter few seconds enabling a quick changeover, said director general of ordnance factory board DM Gupta.
Officials from MoD and OFB recently visited Brazil and Belgium where such weapons are made. A proposal in this connection is under consideration.
The OFB is also looking to develop state-of-the-art small arms in collaboration with a technology partner. The decision in this regard was taken in a meeting held at the National Academy of Defence Production (NADP) in Nagpur. A partner will be selected and the new weapons may be made by acquiring technology from the entity. Small arms include pistols, rifles and machine guns using bullets up to a calibre of 9mm.
The OFB has also developed a new rocket having a range of 40 kms for the Navy. An indigenously developed weapon - Kawach is used to target submarines. It also creates a cloud of aluminium particles so that the electronic equipment submarine does not detect the ship to fire back as the electro magnetic waves are blocked. Three versions of the rocket have been made and trials are under way.
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