Indian Army to purchase 1000 anti-materiel rifles

[chex3009]

Seeking to modernise its infantry, the Indian Army has initiated the process to purchase light weight anti-material rifles capable of busting light armoured vehicles, field fortifications and low flying helicopters from a long distance. The need for anti-material rifles was felt during the Kargil conflict in 1999 when insurgents made concrete bunkers on the frigid heights of the Himalayan range. Anti-material rifles are similar in form and appearance to modern sniper rifles and can often be used in that role, but they are usually chambered for more powerful cartridges and can operate at greater range.

According to the army's Request for Information (RFI), the rifles will be used during "conventional and sub-conventional operations" to engage "lightly armoured vehicles, static defences, field fortifications and low flying helicopters".

"It (the weapon) must be rugged and man portable by a crew of two and be easy to bring into and out of operation. The weapon must function in all terrain and climatic conditions as existing in India," the RFI stipulates.

The army wants that the rifle to weigh not more than 15 kg with a calibre higher than 12.7 mm and a range of more than 1.5 km.

Sources said the order will be for 1000 units and the manufacturers have been asked to respond to the RFI by Jan 31.

After the Kargil conflict, South African firm, Denel was contracted to supply the anti-material rifles. But following the blacklisting of the firm on charges of corruption, the acquisition got delayed. The proposal for these rifles has been pending with the defence ministry since 2006.

Though there is an Indigenous version of such a rifle, Vidhwansak, developed by the Indian ordnance factories, in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), its weight is more than that specified by the Indian Army.

Vidhwansak, however, is cheaper at Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000), than alternatives such as the Denel NTW-20 AMR which costs Rs 23 lakh (more than $45,000).

http://idrw.org/?p=2223

 

[Welcome]

The army wants that the rifle to weigh not more than 15 kg with a caliber higher than 12.7 mm and a range of more than 1.5 km.

At present time no rifle in this world who can fulfill these criteria.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-materiel_rifle

 

[shuvo@y2k10]

this is yet another excuse of the army to go for foreign maal. the vidhwanshak rifle is working absolutely fine and supports 3 different calliber and the bsf has already ordered 100 of those. the vidhwanshak is fairly accurate and has max range 2000m and its range and accuracy can be increased further by the drdo.also it can be made semi automatic with 3 or 5 round burst in future similar to the latest western amr.the vidhwanshak is super cheap and army can procure at leat 2000 rifles with the same amount it would need to buy 1000 foreign amrs.

 

[debasree]

this is yet another excuse of the army to go for foreign maal. the vidhwanshak rifle is working absolutely fine and supports 3 different calliber and the bsf has already ordered 100 of those. the vidhwanshak is fairly accurate and has max range 2000m and its range and accuracy can be increased further by the drdo.also it can be made semi automatic with 3 or 5 round burst in future similar to the latest western amr.the vidhwanshak is super cheap and army can procure at leat 2000 rifles with the same amount it would need to buy 1000 foreign

THATS RIGHT,THE CORRUPT MILLITARY LEADERS ALLWAYS GO FOR FOREIGN TOYS AS IT CLERS THE WAYS FOR FOREIGN LIQARS & KICK BACKS

 

[sayareakd]

http://ofbindia.nic.in/products/data/weapons/wmc/add_10.htm

 

[plugwater]

Vidhwansak is too heavy!! No point saying IA is corrupt if DRDO doesn't meet IA's requirement.

 

[sayareakd]

Vidhwansak is too heavy!! No point saying IA is corrupt if DRDO doesn't meet IA's requirement.

check this

Seeking to modernise its infantry, the Indian Army has initiated the process to purchase light weight anti-material rifles capable of busting light armoured vehicles, field fortifications and low flying helicopters from a long distance. The need for anti-material rifles was felt during the Kargil conflict in 1999 when insurgents made concrete bunkers on the frigid heights of the Himalayan range. Anti-material rifles are similar in form and appearance to modern sniper rifles and can often be used in that role, but they are usually chambered for more powerful cartridges and can operate at greater range.

According to the army's Request for Information (RFI), the rifles will be used during "conventional and sub-conventional operations" to engage "lightly armoured vehicles, static defences, field fortifications and low flying helicopters".

"It (the weapon) must be rugged and man portable by a crew of two and be easy to bring into and out of operation. The weapon must function in all terrain and climatic conditions as existing in India," the RFI stipulates.

The army wants that the rifle to weigh not more than 15 kg with a calibre higher than 12.7 mm and a range of more than 1.5 km.

Sources said the order will be for 1000 units and the manufacturers have been asked to respond to the RFI by Jan 31.

After the Kargil conflict, South African firm, Denel was contracted to supply the anti-material rifles. But following the blacklisting of the firm on charges of corruption, the acquisition got delayed. The proposal for these rifles has been pending with the defence ministry since 2006.

Though there is an Indigenous version of such a rifle, Vidhwansak, developed by the Indian ordnance factories, in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), its weight is more than that specified by the Indian Army.

Vidhwansak, however, is cheaper at Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000), than alternatives such as the Denel NTW-20 AMR which costs Rs 23 lakh (more than $45,000).



http://idrw.org/?p=2223

now check the funny part they want to rifle to take out helicopters, light armour vehicle at 1500 meters but need the weight at 15kg only with two man crew.

now look at Vidhwansak

Ammunition 12.7 × 107 mm 14.5 × 114 mm 20 × 82 mm
Weight 25 kg 29 kg 26 kg
Muzzle Velocity 845 m/s 1,080 m/s 720 m/s
Range 1,800 m 1,800 m 1,300 m

this shows that Vidhwansak with same ammo has greater range but is heavy, now keep this in mind that normal soldier carry about 25kg weight and if they are two soldiers then total weight become 50 kg including weight of their personal weapon (one INSAS about 4.5 kg) and ammo. Thus two man crew can easily operate vidhwansak.


Please also keep in mind that in case of special forces it is 40kg per person.

So it appears that RFI is made in such a manner to defeat Vidhwansak at acquisition.

when they can reach greater range why they want to go for short range ????

 

[sayareakd]

 

[sayareakd]

Vidhwansak

ammo

 

[plugwater]

check this


now check the funny part they want to rifle to take out helicopters, light armour vehicle at 1500 meters but need the weight at 15kg only with two man crew.

now look at Vidhwansak

Ammunition 12.7 × 107 mm 14.5 × 114 mm 20 × 82 mm
Weight 25 kg 29 kg 26 kg
Muzzle Velocity 845 m/s 1,080 m/s 720 m/s
Range 1,800 m 1,800 m 1,300 m

this shows that Vidhwansak with same ammo has greater range but is heavy, now keep this in mind that normal soldier carry about 25kg weight and if they are two soldiers then total weight become 50 kg including weight of their personal weapon (one INSAS about 4.5 kg) and ammo. Thus two man crew can easily operate vidhwansak.


Please also keep in mind that in case of special forces it is 40kg per person.

So it appears that RFI is made in such a manner to defeat Vidhwansak at acquisition.

when they can reach greater range why they want to go for short range ????

DRDO should develop a product as per army requirements and not whatever they wish. USA uses M82 rifle which is only 14kg if DRDO is so good means why not make a gun which matches M82 or something what IA wants rather than whining about IA!!

I would expect every IA soldier to be equipped with more advanced weapon not some DRDO 25kg crap for 12.7mm. I bet IA planners know what they are doing.

 

[sayareakd]

DRDO should develop a product as per army requirements and not whatever they wish. USA uses M82 rifle which is only 14kg if DRDO is so good means why not make a gun which matches M82 or something what IA wants rather than whining about IA!!

I would expect every IA soldier to be equipped with more advanced weapon not some DRDO 25kg crap for 12.7mm. I bet IA planners know what they are doing.

Manc it is not develop by DRDO it is made by OFB, earlier they had JV for Denel NTW-20 with South African company Denel, but the company was black listed and then OFB made the rifle themselves, some say reverse engineered it.

now coming back to US M 82 which weight only 14 kg, then why the hell you need two man for this rifle as per RFI by IA??? when one man can carry about 25 kg weight ???

check the pics

surely some one has not done proper homework before making this RFI.

 

[nitesh]

DRDO should develop a product as per army requirements and not whatever they wish. USA uses M82 rifle which is only 14kg if DRDO is so good means why not make a gun which matches M82 or something what IA wants rather than whining about IA!!

I would expect every IA soldier to be equipped with more advanced weapon not some DRDO 25kg crap for 12.7mm. I bet IA planners know what they are doing.

does that rifle fulfills the specs mentioned by IA? Or any other rifle you can mention that fulfills the specs

 

[sayareakd]

does that rifle fulfills the specs mentioned by IA? Or any other rifle you can mention that fulfills the specs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_M82

nitesh it cost around 89000 USD whereas Vidhwansak, is about 20,000 USD, and Denel NTW-20 AMR more than 45,000 USD.

so it will be waste of money to go for anything but Vidhwansak.

 

[plugwater]

Saya, Two men crew consists of a sniper and a spotter, not to carry the rifle.

Nitesh,I think Barrett XM109 can fulfill the specs.

 

[plugwater]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_M82

nitesh it cost around 89000 USD whereas Vidhwansak, is about 20,000 USD, and Denel NTW-20 AMR more than 45,000 USD.

so it will be waste of money to go for anything but Vidhwansak.

These days we never care about the weapon costs. We go for most advanced and most suitable weapon for us.

 

[nitesh]

nitesh it cost around 89000 USD whereas Vidhwansak, is about 20,000 USD, and Denel NTW-20 AMR more than 45,000 USD.

so it will be waste of money to go for anything but Vidhwansak.

Saya saar, sorry i am not sure weather the model mentioned by manc fulfills the requirement of IA, hence the question

 

[sayareakd]

Saya, Two men crew consists of a sniper and a spotter, not to carry the rifle.

Nitesh,I think Barrett XM109 can fulfill the specs.

Manc i know the sniper and spotter but read the RFI says It (the weapon) must be rugged and man portable by a crew of two.

BTW spotters can be group of spotters too

 

[sayareakd]

Saya saar, sorry i am not sure weather the model mentioned by manc fulfills the requirement of IA, hence the question

nitesh i give wiki link about rifle no need for apologies.

 

[sayareakd]

These days we never care about the weapon costs. We go for most advanced and most suitable weapon for us.

Manc CAG will hand IA for this. more so if it cost 4.5 times more

here link to CAG http://www.cag.gov.in/

 

[plugwater]

Manc i know the sniper and spotter but read the RFI says It (the weapon) must be rugged and man portable by a crew of two.

BTW spotters can be group of spotters too

It must be a mistake saya. Like you said if they had done little research for eliminating Vidhsanwak means they should not have made that mistake.

Group of spotters ? What is the need for that ? Little more info please.