INSAS Excalibur & MCIWS Ghatak Assault Rifles to Replace Indian Army's Standard Issue INSAS Rifles

[Omega007]

Excelibar is heavier as per the charts than Insas with wooden stock or pollymar stock. Well thats unexpected.

Not really,if you consider the fact that Excalibur is a fully automatic weapon,which means it was needed to fitted with a heavier barrel to compensate the over heating.So obviously its weight has gone up.The MCIWS too will have to be fitted with a heavy bull barrel for this same reason but its overall weight should be lighter than that of the Excalibur,due to increased use of polymers and stamped steel being replaced with light weight Mg-Al alloys in the former.

 

[Echo_419]

By the way,here is something that might interest y'all gentlemen around here.Take a look at the weight of various versions of the INSAS rifles,might come as a surprise.

IOFB INSAS

Notes: This is the new Indian assault rifle, based on the AK series and the Galil. Though 7000 of these weapons were due for delivery by 1994, service adoption was complicated by the lack of 5.56mm NATO ammunition in the country, and by 1998, the INSAS had been issued only to special units such as special operations units and paratroopers. 50 million rounds of 5.56mm NATO ammunition were ordered from Israel in 1996 (with an option for 50 million more), but this order was cut by Israel (possibly due to political pressure from the US), before one-quarter of the initial batch actually delivered, and the remainder of the order was not delivered until recently. In the meantime, India was able to order a huge amount of AKMS and ammunition from Romania, and many of the units slated to receive the INSAS got AKMs instead. Indian troops that did receive the INSAS are reportedly pleased with it, finding it to very reliable and accurate, and by 2006, some 300,000 INSAS assault rifles were in service with the Indian Army.

In a way, the INSAS could almost be considered a “Frankenweapon;” the basic operation is very close to that of the AKM and AK-74 series, along with the stamped steel receiver. However, the INSAS also uses a FAL-like manual gas regulator and gas cutoff for use with rifle grenades, the charging mechanism and charging handle of the Heckler & Koch G-3 and HK-33 (including its position on left side of the fore-end), and a folding carrying handle similar to that of the L-1A1. The stock may be made from wood or polymer, or be a folding metal stock. Standard magazines contain 20 rounds and are made from translucent polymer, but similar 30-round magazines (intended primarily for use in the INSAS LMG) will also fit into the INSAS assault rifle. (These translucent polymer magazines are actually modified from those of the Steyr AUG.) 22-round light alloy magazines were used during the INSAS’s development, but not officially adopted; however, such a large quantity of these magazines were made that they are issued quite often.

In 2007, a short version of the INSAS was designed, called the Kalantak. However, by 2010 it was still not in large-scale production, and only very limited issue had been made. The Kalantak has a shortened 13.11-inch barrel tipped by a standard INSAS flash suppressor, along with appropriately-shortened handguards. The handguards and pistol grip are of polymer, and the stock is side-folding. The Kalantak has a short length of MIL-STD-1913 rail in the scout position at the front of the receiver, with standard iron sights also being present. The rear sight is an aperture sight right now, but a drum-type sight is in development.

The Excalibur is another CQB version of the INSAS, one that has already seen large-scale issue and combat-testing. The Excalibur is designed for both police and military use; it has a 15.75-inch barrel which has reinforcement in the right places for bayonet fighting. The stock is folding and skeletonized. Atop the receiver is a MIL-STD-1913 rail, and newer-issue Excaliburs have MIL-STD-1913 rails atop and under the handguards. After its extensive testing, the Excalibur was deemed insufficient for use.

The newest version of the INSAS is the MSMC carbine (called the Amogh, and then the MINSAS, in development; MSMC stands for Modern SubMachine Carbine). Also designed for CQB, the biggest change from the rest of the INSAS series is the chambering of the MSMC for the new 5.56mm MINSAS round. Furniture is largely sheet steel enclosed in polymer, with receiver and working-part construction of steel. The current version has a very short length of MIL-STD-1913 rail atop the receiver primarily for small, reflex-type sights, and the handguards do not have any such attachment rails; a reflex-type sight is issued with the MSMC. The MSMC has a 13-inch barrel with the same sort of flash suppressor as the rest of the INSAS series, and a sliding stock on struts with a small polymer butt. Unusually for such a small weapon, the MSMC can take a bayonet. The magazine fits into the pistol grip, which connects to a long, wide trigger guard, big enough to enclose the fingers of the shooter’s entire shooting hand.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Three production batches were built before 1998 Pakistani air strikes put the INSAS production lines out of action; production stopped after a little over 18,000 rifles and did not start again until nearly 2020. Low-scale production of 5.56mm NATO rounds began in India in mid-1997, but production never kept up with demand, and even many special units went back to the AKM and FN-FAL. The Kalantak, Excalibur, and MSMC do not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Merc 2000 Notes: Production and adoption of the INSAS was largely discontinued due to budgetary reasons in 1996; after this, Indian troops were armed mostly with a combination of older Russian and Eastern European-made weapons.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

INSAS (Wood Stock)

5.56mm NATO

3.28 kg

20, 22, 30

$576

INSAS (Polymer Stock)

5.56mm NATO

3.18 kg

20, 22, 30

$586

INSAS 2B

5.56mm NATO

3.25 kg

20, 22, 30

$606

Kalantak

5.56mm NATO

3.31 kg

20, 22, 30

$734

Excalibur

5.56mm NATO

3.81 kg

20, 22, 30

$585

MSMC

5.56mm MINSAS

2.8 kg

30

$431


Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

INSAS (Wood or Polymer Stock)

3

3

1-Nil

6

3

4

48

INSAS 2B

3

3

1-Nil

5/6

2

4

48

Kalantak

3/5

3

1-Nil

4/6

2

4/6

29

Excalibur

5

3

1-Nil

4/6

2

6

39

MSMC

5

2

1-1-Nil

3/5

3

6

33


IOFB Zittara

Notes: In 2006, the Indian Army expressed to IMI in Israel their interest in the Tavor series, and specifically the MTAR and MTAR 9mm (though they left the door open for the purchase of other members of the Tavor family). The Indian Army has invested about $20 million in the acquisition of these MTARs and ancillary equipment, and deliveries appear to have begun in mid-2007. These MTAR variants, called the Zittara series by the Indians, are destined to equip the Indian Army’s best special operations units.

The Indian variant of the MTAR-21, the Zittara Assault Rifle, is largely the same as the MTAR-21 in most respects: it is topped with a MIL-STD-1913 rail, able to take most underbarrel 40mm grenade launchers (given the right adapters), and equipped under most circumstances with the Israeli-made MARS sight – an integrated unit with a low-magnification sight, a red-dot reflex sight, day/night channels, and a laser aiming module. The sight can also take clip-on NVGs. The barrel of the Zittara, however, is 12.99 inches long – over 3 inches longer than that of its MTAR-21 parent. The flash suppressor is also (very) slightly different, a concession to local manufacturing methods, and the top MIL-STD-1913 rail is a longer than that found on the MTAR-21. Primarily due to the longer barrel and local manufacturing methods, the Zittara assault rifle is also a little heavier than the MTAR-21.

The Zittara shares with the MTAR-21 the ability to use kits to convert the Zittara into a submachinegun; however, the Zittara can also be converted into a sort of PDW/high-power SMG, firing a round based on the Colt’s experimental 5.56mm MARS round (no relation to the MARS sight). The 9mm Parabellum version uses the same barrel length as the Zittara assault rifle, but has no flash suppressor, and can use a locally-produced 30-round magazine (rumored to be based upon the Sten magazine) as well as Uzi magazines. The 9mm Parabellum version, like the MTAR 9mm, can also have its barrel replaced with barrel that has an integral silencer.

The High-Power SMG version also uses the same 12.99-inch barrel, but the flash suppressor is retained. The High-Power SMG version is fed by a 30-round magazine designed for the purpose. The cyclic rate of fire is slightly higher than that of the Zittara Assault Rifle, but the increase in cyclic rate is inconsequential for game purposes.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The Zittara Series is not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Merc 2000 timeline: In the Merc 2000 timeline, the Indians have kept their Zittaras quite close, and have never exported them. Of course, some Zittaras have inevitably been captured by the Pakistanis, and the Pakistanis are reportedly working on reverse-engineering them.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

Zittara Assault Rifle

5.56mm NATO

3 kg

20, 30

$1063

Zittara SMG (Standard Barrel)

9mm Parabellum

2.59 kg

25, 30, 32, 40

$1039

Zittara SMG (Silenced Barrel)

9mm Parabellum

3.29 kg

25, 30, 32, 40

$1179

Zittara High-Power SMG

5.56mm MINSAS

2.85 kg

30

$943


Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

Zittara Assault Rifle

5

3

1-Nil

4

2

6

26

Zittara SMG (Standard)

5

2

Nil

4

1

3

30

Zittara (Silenced, Standard Ammo)

5

2

Nil

5

1

3

25

Zittara (Silenced, Subsonic Ammo)

5

2

Nil

5

1

2

23

Zittara High-Power SMG

5

2

1-1-Nil

4

2

6

18

Indian Assault Rifles
Courtesy - pmaitra from D.F.I.

Many variants much wow

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

5.56mm MIR's (Modified INSAS Rifle) / INSAS Excalibur's advantages over 5.56mm Standard INSAS -

(01) Excalibur features full auto-fire mode - INSAS can only do single shot or three round bursts.
(02) Excalibur features folding butt stock whereas INSAS does not - except for the modified one.
(03) Excalibur features Picatinny rail for all manner of accessories whereas INSAS does not.
(04) Excalibur features more reliable and effective magazines and more ergonomic design making MIR easier to handle, clean and use.

INSAS variants - Amogh Carbine - Excalibur - Standard INSAS - Standard INSAS with folding butt.

>> Interestingly there will also be a MIR 2 - another Excalibur variant that is chambered to fire the AK-47 (7.62x39) rounds - specially for IA's CT operations.

Source

@Omega007 @NKVD @IndoUS @acetophenol @Abingdonboy @Perpendicular @Killswitch @The_Sidewinder @Gessler @AUSTERLITZ @MilSpec @HariPrasad @scientien @Skull and Bones @Echo_419

 

[Skull and Bones]

5.56mm MIR's (Modified INSAS Rifle) / INSAS Excalibur's advantages over 5.56mm Standard INSAS -

(01) Excalibur features full auto-fire mode - INSAS can only do single shot or three round bursts.
(02) Excalibur features folding butt stock whereas INSAS does not.
(03) Excalibur features Picatinny rail for all manner of accessories whereas INSAS does not.
(04) Excalibur features more reliable and effective magazines and more ergonomic design making MIR easier to handle, clean and use.

>> Interestingly there will also be a MIR 2 - another Excalibur variant that is chambered to fire the AK-47 (7.62x39) rounds - specially for IA's CT operations.

Source

@Omega007 @NKVD @IndoUS @acetophenol @Abingdonboy @Perpendicular @Killswitch @The_Sidewinder @Gessler @AUSTERLITZ @MilSpec @HariPrasad @scientien @Skull and Bones @Echo_419

A rifle has to easy to take apart, and assemble. Like Ak-47. I believe INSAS fares poorly in this regard. @Omega007

 

[The_Sidewinder]

5.56mm MIR's (Modified INSAS Rifle) / INSAS Excalibur's advantages over 5.56mm Standard INSAS -

(01) Excalibur features full auto-fire mode - INSAS can only do single shot or three round bursts.
(02) Excalibur features folding butt stock whereas INSAS does not.
(03) Excalibur features Picatinny rail for all manner of accessories whereas INSAS does not.
(04) Excalibur features more reliable and effective magazines and more ergonomic design making MIR easier to handle, clean and use.

INSAS variants - Amogh Carbine - Excalibur - Standard INSAS - Standard INSAS with folding butt.

>> Interestingly there will also be a MIR 2 - another Excalibur variant that is chambered to fire the AK-47 (7.62x39) rounds - specially for IA's CT operations.

Source

Another MIR with 7.62*39 rounds, interesting. Maybe its for CI ops. But for that Ghatak is already there.

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

Another MIR with 7.62*39 rounds, interesting. Maybe its for CI ops. But for that Ghatak is already there.

Trichy Assault Rifle would also work - though the effective firing range isn't as good as required.

Ghatak has another advantage - it has been cleared by Paramilitary forces. ‘Ghatak’ assault rifle (AR) has met all the technical parameters of General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs) issued by Paramilitary forces which fall under Ministry of Home affairs.

Final User trails of ‘Ghatak’ assault rifle (AR) was found satisfactory by Paramilitary forces and Ministry of Home affairs likely will place first batch order of 3000 rifles with Rifle Factory Ishapore (RFI) soon.

Indigenous ‘Ghatak’ assault rifle cleared by Paramilitary forces | idrw.org

 

[acetophenol]

5.56mm MIR's (Modified INSAS Rifle) / INSAS Excalibur's advantages over 5.56mm Standard INSAS -

(01) Excalibur features full auto-fire mode - INSAS can only do single shot or three round bursts.
(02) Excalibur features folding butt stock whereas INSAS does not - except for the modified one.
(03) Excalibur features Picatinny rail for all manner of accessories whereas INSAS does not.
(04) Excalibur features more reliable and effective magazines and more ergonomic design making MIR easier to handle, clean and use.

INSAS variants - Amogh Carbine - Excalibur - Standard INSAS - Standard INSAS with folding butt.

>> Interestingly there will also be a MIR 2 - another Excalibur variant that is chambered to fire the AK-47 (7.62x39) rounds - specially for IA's CT operations.

Source

@Omega007 @NKVD @IndoUS @acetophenol @Abingdonboy @Perpendicular @Killswitch @The_Sidewinder @Gessler @AUSTERLITZ @MilSpec @HariPrasad @scientien @Skull and Bones @Echo_419

Having a foldind stock isn't exactly an advantage,INSAS with folding stocks are also in service.

INSAS with accessories on picatinny rail/OFB rail are also there.

I don't know about the reliability of the Mags,but the current 30 round magazines of INSAS/Excalibur has a problem, they all are too long that it will touch the ground if the soldier is in the prone position.

 

[Water Car Engineer]

Latest

 

[Omega007]

A rifle has to easy to take apart, and assemble. Like Ak-47. I believe INSAS fares poorly in this regard. @Omega007

Not really, neither of them fares any better than the other in this respect.The reason being,both of them being built around a single piece stamped receiver.The rifles,based on the AR 15 design,with dual segmented receiver (they are split in upper and lower) takes the lead when it comes to modularity.

 

[acetophenol]

A rifle has to easy to take apart, and assemble. Like Ak-47. I believe INSAS fares poorly in this regard. @Omega007

I know for sure that INSAS does good in this regard bro

 

[Perpendicular]

Excalibur has slightly reduced weight advantage over 1B1 of few grams but more importantly reduced barrel length of around 50 mm. A good move i guess
With foldable butt, reduced barrel length this gun is pitted for insurgency ops.

Which AK 47 is master of, developed pre historic.

Excalibur is another mistake IA going to make. With little modifications but no adaptation sense to the needs of the fighting soldier of today.
Indian army should have been taking the lead in devlopment and inputs about the gorilla warfare, which it is involved for decades, whereas rest of the world is opening upto recently and yet we are struggling to find a rifle.

Infantry rifle should complement soldier in combat. Here an example for ADRE duds.

F90 From the land down under

 

[Omega007]

I know for sure that INSAS does good in this regard bro

Virtually the same in this respect.

Excalibur has slightly reduced weight advantage over 1B1 of few grams

No it does not,it's the other way round actually!!INSAS 1B1 is 530 - 660 gms lighter (depending on the version of the INSAS) than Excalibur.

but more importantly reduced barrel length of around 50 mm. A good move i guess
With foldable butt, reduced barrel length this gun is pitted for insurgency ops.

Only 4 mm.

Which AK 47 is master of, developed pre historic.

Excalibur is another mistake IA going to make. With little modifications but no adaptation sense to the needs of the fighting soldier of today.
Indian army should have been taking the lead in devlopment and inputs about the gorilla warfare, which it is involved for decades, whereas rest of the world is opening upto recently and yet we are struggling to find a rifle.

Infantry rifle should complement soldier in combat. Here an example for OFB duds.

View attachment 236456
F90 From the land down under

That would be guerrilla.

 

[Perpendicular]

Only 4 mm.
.

INSAS barrel length 464 mm (18.3 inch
Length total 960 mm
Excalibur barrel length 400 mm
Length total 895 mm
Thats what OFB website is showing. May be something am missing

 

[Omega007]

INSAS barrel length 464 mm (18.3 inch
Length total 960 mm
Excalibur barrel length 400 mm
Length total 895 mm
Thats what OFB website is showing. May be something am missing

Hmmm.......the OP states it's 4mm shorter.May be this is the assault rifle version of the Excalibur they are talking about.And in any case,Army wouldn't accept a rifle with just just a 400 mm barrel as its standard issue infantry weapon.

 

[Perpendicular]

Hmmm.......the OP states it's 4mm shorter.May be this is the assault rifle version of the Excalibur they are talking about.And in any case,Army wouldn't accept a rifle with just just a 400 mm barrel as its standard issue infantry weapon.

I would disagree mate.
Why AK's are termed more prefferd weapon of choice still. Excalibur is nothing but Try to Improve version of AK's. Again Gorilla warfare + 400 mtr of effective range is all required.