INDIA DEFENSE : Army may re-tender contracts for assault rifles, carbines.

[hardip]

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INDIA DEFENSE :
Army may re-tender contracts for assault rifles, carbines.


After rejecting the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-designed Excalibur 5.56x45mm rifle, the Indian Army is soon going to re-issue a request for information (RFI) for Rs 5,000-crore contract of 7.62x51mm assault rifles.

The army is also mulling re-tendering for 44,618 ‘5.56mm’ close quarter battle (CQB) carbines. The Excalibur, an upgraded version of the DRDO’s Indian Army Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56x45mm rifle, was rejected by the army in 2010 for being “operationally inadequate”.

Last year, the Modi-led government had decided to cancel RFP issued in 2011 to procure 66,000 multi-calibre assault rifles as none of the four competing models – Italy’s Beretta’s ARX-160, Czech Republic’s CZ 805 BREN, Israeli assault rifle manufacturer IWI’s ACE1 and US’ Colt Combat Rifle – met the army’s stipulated qualitative requirements during trials. These required each rifle to weigh not more than 3.6kg and to be able to convert from 5.56x45mm to7.62x39mm merely by switching their barrel and magazine for counter-terrorist operations and conventional use.

Meanwhile, the army is also planning to re-tender tender for 5.56mm CQB carbines, as one of two competing systems has been shortlisted for procurement – the IWI’s Galil ACE CQB carbine as rival Beretta’s ARX160 model was rejected on specious grounds.

Industry sources said the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) had rejected Beretta because a safety measure on its laser visible and invisible sight was found unsuitable. The ‘sight’ on offer by Beretta, widely used in the US and other armies across the world, was fitted with a small screw, which needed to be opened before use. This screw, sources said, added purely as a safety measure, dropped off during the trials, resulting in the DGQA rejecting the ARX 160 and leaving only IWI in the reckoning.

“The major reason behind re-tendering the CQB requirement is that with Beretta eliminated, the procurement becomes a single-vendor situation, which defence minister Manohar Parrikar opposes,” a source told the FE.

The ministry of defence has been wanting to delink the ‘sight’ from the weapon system, but the army was adamant and wanted it included. Parrikar is believed to be seeking a legal opinion on whether he can at this stage de-link the ‘sight’ from the carbine.

The irony is that the follow-on order for over 1,60,000 CQB carbines, to be licence-built by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), are to be equipped with a ‘sight’ developed by defence PSU Bharat Electronics (BEL). Fitting the initial lot of 44,618 carbines with imported sights, instead of a BEL-designed equipment, will cost the exchequer an additional Rs 800-1,000 crore.

“BEL’s sight can save the ministry a large amount of money, provided Parrikar is decisive and takes firm action,” said a senior infantry officer. If the carbine requirement is re-tendered, it will take the army another three-four years to procure one, he added. The army has been operating without a carbine since 2010, after it retired the licence-built World War-II sterling sub-machine gun. “CQB carbines are basic infantry weapons for employment on counter-insurgency operations,” said a two-star army officer. By delaying its induction, the operational efficiency of the army is being affected adversely, he added

 

[hardip]

I Thing IWI Is the best choice for INDIAN MILITARY..Tavor -21 Already with Indian solider.

IWI US CTAR-21 (rear) and X95 (middle) with a “standard” Tavor.

The X95 is the Special Forces firearm of the next generation.
The X95 was developed in close cooperation with elite units and was tailored to their specific requirements and needs.
The X95 was created to deal with modern threats of anti-terror, urban and open area combat all one mission.

The X95 incorporates advanced technology that allows interchangeability from 5.56mm ammunition to 9mm ammunition. This leap in technology allows the fighter to use the same weapon platform for a wide array of scenarios.
This feature saves training time, spare parts and reduces overall costs
The interchangeability can be done with a silencer for all calibers, thus distinguishing itself as the ideal weapon for Special Forces dealing with complicated situations.

Characteristics:
• Bull pup configuration.
• Optimized ergonomic design.
• 30 Rds. Magazine capacity.
• Integral silencer (optional).
• Body made of high strength impact modified polymer.
• Detachable barrel.
• Integrated reflex sight attached directly on to the barrel
• Conversion from day optics to night optics is done without zeroing.
• 100% Ambidextrous
• Has true “OTB” (over-the beach) capability.
• Designed for maximum operator and armorer level maintenance.
• Folding back-up sights that include tritium for night combat.
• Very easy field striping into 2 parts.
• 100% interchangeability.
• Has a last round stopper.
• All the metal parts of the weapon are corrosion resistant.

X95-R

One Rifle, Three Calibers – The only one in the world!
• Training on a single weapon
• Multitask platform
• Combined logistics

The X95 is the Special Forces firearm designed for the next generation users of small arms.
The X95 was developed in close cooperation with the Elite Units of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and was tailored to their specific requirements and needs .
The X95 was created to deal with modern threats of anti-terror, in urban and open areas combat – all in one mission.
The X95 is the standard Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Assault Rifle.
The X95 incorporates advanced technology that allows the conversion from 5.56mm caliber to 9mm to 5.45mm caliber and vice versa.
This leap in technology enables the soldier to use the same weapon platform for a wide ar ray of scenarios.
In addition, the multi caliber X95 is used worldwide as it is compatible with western and eastern ammunition.
This attribute saves training time, spare parts and also reduces overall costs. The conversion may include a silencer for all calibers, thus distinguishing itself as the ideal weapon for Special Forces dealing with complicated situations.”

 

[prateikf]

If it's indeed retendered it would be another disastrous decision taken by the Parrikar led ministry. Parrikar is beginning to resemble Antony as days pass by. He promises a lot but delivers hardly anything. He is too inconsistent regarding vital decisions. Take for example the Blackshark torpedo fiasco. He declared with much fanfare the blacklisting of Finmeccanica but now has ordered his ministry to go slow on it.

 

[TODELU]

It is astonishing to see, we can launch MARS mission but we cannot produce a Assault rifle whose idea was born during Second World War.
There are gunsmiths in USA who make Gun barrels just using a piece of iron.In this regard our Indigenous Assault rifle production should learn a thing or two from them.
Pakistan for all its inadequacies can make its own guns,heck even their tribal belt manufactures assault rifles with minimum tech and machinery involved.
We should learn a thing or two from even our enemies.