ARMING INDIA'S SMALL ARMS INDUSTRY

VAIBHAV AGRAWAL argues why the need of the hour is to stop emergency purchases, and encourage the private sector to come forward in producing small arms

- VAIBHAV AGRAWAL

According to reports from earlier this year, the Indian Army is prepared to submit a fast-track order under the "Buy (Global) category" for additional SiG-716 rifles from US company SIG Sauer Inc. to replace the Indian Small Arms System models it currently uses, the army is in dire need of contemporary assault rifles.

In addition to looking at assault rifles, the army is also interested in purchasing other small arms, such as carbines, pistols, light machine guns (LMGs), and snipers, among others. The army is believed to have been upset with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for failing to produce an assault rifle that meets its requirements.

India's small arms legacy

Small arms, also known as firearms or guns, are deadly weapons that can be carried by a person and used for personal defence. They use explosives to fire shots, bullets, or other projectiles. In addition to their parts, components, and ammunition, they cover both handguns (revolvers and self-loading pistols) and long guns, such as rifles and carbines, submachine guns, assault rifles, and light machineguns.

The main weapon of the Indian Army until 1987 was the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle, also referred to as the SLR (SelfLoading Rifle), by the Canadian Army designation C1A1 (C1), or in the US as the "inch pattern" FAL. However, during the Sri Lankan operations, the LTTE was armed with AK series weapons (armed by the Indian Government). The infantry units were given captured weapons and ammunition in order to keep up with the LTTE due to the high rate of fire and lack of interruptions in the humid jungles of Sri Lanka's north-eastern provinces. These weapons were imported from East European nations.