India Army RFI For High Calibre Rifles Receives Response From 20 Manufacturers

Indian is speeding up procurement plan for over 185,000 high calibre guns of 7.62×51 mm to replace locally made INSAS rifles.

The move follows weeks after the Army rejected a locally made assault rifle, Indian Express reported Sunday.

Already nearly 20 gun manufacturers including a number of foreign entities have responded to the request for information (RFI) for the assault guns.

"Also steps are being taken to move the procurement process speedily," an unnamed Indian Army official was quoted as saying by the publication.

The Army has been stressing for fast tracking the supply of the 7.62×51 mm guns. The army particularly sought immediate procurement of at least 65,000 rifles to enhance its fire power in border areas and in counter-terror operations.

Already nearly 20 gun manufacturers including a number of foreign entities have responded to the request for information (RFI) for the assault guns and steps are being taken to move the procurement process speedily, official said.

The Army urgently needs the assault rifles and the contract for the guns is likely to be finalised in the next few months.

Last month, the Army had rejected the 7.62×51 mm guns built by the Rifle Factory, Ichapore, citing poor quality and ineffective fire power.

Official also said that there were too many faults in the guns manufactured by the rifle factory. The complete redesign of the magazine was needed to consider the guns to be used by the Army.

The Army last year had rejected another locally made assault rifle known as 5.56 mm Excalibur guns as it did not meet the required standards.

In its RFI, the Army had specified effective range of the 7.62×51 mm guns at 500 metres. He added that they should be as light as possible in weight.

It had also mentioned that the guns should be capable of “fitting and firing” under barrel grenade launcher manufactured by Ordnance Factory, Trichy.