Once again, Army starts global hunt for a new-generation assault rifle

[cerberus]

What happens to IWI and Punj loyyd JV for weapons

 

[Fenrir]

Pakistanis are also having hunt for assault rifle in replacement of G3...Most people are saying that FN-SCAR-H is most probably good and going to win tender...What do you say about it...Just curious to have your opinion.

My opinion of SCAR-H? I find it to be weird ergonomically. It feels like a brick.

They are very accurate, and reliable weapons, though the SCAR-L has had serious reliability issues such as cold weather locking up issues and cracking frames, and generally the SCAR series does what you want it to when you want it to.

They're damn expensive. Keep in mind that our HK417 cost us around 13,000 USD per unit where as the civilian MR762 runs for about 4500. Militarized rifles are very expensive and SCAR-H is not going to be an exception.

Is it a good choice? I like all the contenders in the tender and feel no selection would be a bad option for Pakistan, I just don't have a very high opinion of SCAR myself due to its issues during our trials.

 

[PaklovesTurkiye]

My opinion of SCAR-H? I find it to be weird ergonomically. It feels like a brick.

They are very accurate, and reliable weapons, though the SCAR-L has had serious reliability issues such as cold weather locking up issues and cracking frames, and generally the SCAR series does what you want it to when you want it to.

They're damn expensive. Keep in mind that our HK417 cost us around 13,000 USD per unit where as the civilian MR762 runs for about 4500. Militarized rifles are very expensive and SCAR-H is not going to be an exception.

Is it a good choice? I like all the contenders in the tender and feel no selection would be a bad option for Pakistan, I just don't have a very high opinion of SCAR myself due to its issues during our trials.

Thanks...

 

[Fenrir]

I'm just messin with ya.

Mmm, hmm. Ok, I'll buy that.

But to elaborate a bit more, DMRs are typically semi-auto and are more often then not adaptations of assault or battle rifles, like the Tabuk, which is a variation of the Zastava M70:

Or the Squad Designation Marksman Rifle - SDM-R - a modified M-16;

They are rapid fire, relatively light weight and compact rifles designed to support ops in urban environments or squad level operations. Few, if any are bolt action.

Sniper rifles feature heavier barrels and optcs, are generally larger and heavier weapons, though bullpup variants exist too, and are either semi or bolt action.

Rarely do you see sniper rifles adapted from battle or assault rifles, but both the HK417 and SCAR-H have sniper variants, such as the Mark 20 SSR:

Or the M25, an obvious derivative of the M14:

Most true sniper weapons are purposed built sniper weapons like the M98B:

Or DSR-1:

Realistically, its how they're used operationally that makes the difference, but battle and assault rifles like SCAR-H and HK417 can be adapted to fill either a Marksman, Designated Marksman or Sniper role.

 

[Nilgiri]

But to elaborate a bit more, DMRs are typically semi-auto

Sure, when you want to engage multiple targets in short periods of time...semi-auto is unbeatable....with decent-good sustained relative accuracy.

Just like bolt-action is unbeatable for absolute sheer accuracy (one time or sustained...but cannot match the fire rate of semi auto)....and why certain platforms in both military sniping and target shooting remain bolt-action, no matter how good semi-auto gets.

There is a balance between the two in capabilities and niches.

 

[zebra7]

View attachment 338681

NEW DELHI: India re-launched on Tuesday its global hunt for new-generation assault rifles after similar attempts over the last decade failed due to unrealistic technical requirements and whiff of corruption, interspersed by debates on whether the gun should "kill" or merely "wound" adversaries.

The project is going to be a mega one, with the Army looking to induct 65,000 rifles in the first go, with another 1,20,000 to be manufactured in India. This, of course, would be just the beginning for the 12-lakh strong Army, with the overall programme cost slated to ultimately cross the $1 billion-mark.

In the RFI (request for information) issued by the defence ministry on Tuesday, it was mentioned that the Army was seeking "a 7.62mm x 51mm assault rifle with lethality to achieve the objective of shoot-to-kill" to replace glitch-prone 5.56mm INSAS (Indian small arms system) rifle.

The broad parameters specify the light-weight rifles should have an effective range of 500-metre at the very minimum, with duly-optimised recoil to achieve "accuracy better than 3 minutes of angle up to a minimum range of 500-metre".

With multi-option telescopic sights, the rifles should also be capable of being fitted with the 40mm under-barrel grenade launchers manufactured by ordnance factory, Trichy. Compatible with visible laser-target pointers, holographic and other sights, the rifles should be "state-of-art" in terms of design, metallurgy and performance parameters to remain relevant for the next 25-30 years.

The RFI states the global tender or RFP (request for proposal) for the formal technocommercial bids will be floated in April 2017. It is bound to attract companies like Colt (US), Beretta (Italy), Sig Sauer (Europe), Ceska (Czech) and Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), which had also participated in the earlier tender.

As was first reported by TOI in May last year, the project was scrapped because of the Army's overambitious experiment to induct rifles with interchangeable barrels, with a 5.56x45mm primary barrel for conventional warfare and a 7.62x39mm secondary one for counter-terrorism.
Then, the Army commanders' conference last April had discussed whether the force required a 7.62mm rifle that "killed" or a 5.56mm rifle that "incapacitated" enemy soldiers. Subsequently, even as the Army rejected the 5.56x45mm Excalibur rifle offered by the DRDO-ordnance Factory Board combine, the decision was taken to go in for 7.62x51mm rifles with a higher kill probability.

Incidentally, other projects to get new close-quarter battle carbines, light machine guns, sniper rifles and the like for infantry battalions are also stuck in the long-winded procurement process.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ration-assault-rifle/articleshow/54553688.cms

@Abingdonboy @PARIKRAMA @hellfire @nair

That RPI is for the RR battalian which are using AK-47, and the calliber would be 7.2 mm

 

[Śakra]

How about we go back to the classics? Take out terrorists with a .303

 

[Water Car Engineer]

UCR (Unified Combat Rifle) 7.62 X 51 mm NATO

UWS, along with Tonbo Imaging.

Lakshmikumar said the Tonbo-UWS partnership will offer the same package deal to the Indian government.

The Ministry of Defence has launched a hunt for a new-generation assault rifle, as reported by ET on September 27, 2016. According to the RFI (Request for Information), the army is looking to procure 185,000 assault rifles with about 65,000 to be delivered over the next four to 28 months.

“This package is now being offered to the Indian army as a part of the Indian army RFI for assault weapons. We will be doing field trials with various army groups to demonstrate the capabilities of the weapon,” Lakshmikumar said.

http://tech.economictimes.indiatime...llion-export-deal-with-peruvian-army/54795667

 

[Zarvan]

INDIA TO FLOAT NEW TENDER FOR CLOSE QUARTER BATTLE CARBINES

As an illustration the FN FAL Light Automatic Rifle is one of the most famous and widespread military rifle designs of the 20th century. Developed by the Belgian Fabrique Nationale company
The Indian Army has a shortage of 16,000 close quarter battle carbines after canceling a six year old tender won by the Israeli Weapon Industry.

New Delhi — Government officials told Sputnik that India will soon issue a global tender for acquiring close quarter battle carbines for the army.

The new tender is unlikely to include some of the specifications such as visible and invisible laser spot designators, as well as holographic weapon sights which were part of the 2010 tender won by Israeli W I. The Indian army is facing a shortage of 16,000 battle carbines. The government aims to conclude the new deal by the end of year 2017.

Earlier this year, India cancelled a six year old tender for obtaining 44,618 close quarter battle carbines and 33.6 million rounds of ammunition. The bid was won by the Israeli Weapon Industry (IWI) but the Indian Law Ministry did not give a final go ahead for the “single vendor situation” deal. Sputnik reported on August 29 this year about the government's unwillingness to sign deal in a “single vendor situation.”

The Law Ministry's opinion was sought by the Defense Ministry as only one firm, IWI passed the trials conducted by the Indian Army. Four other global firms including Italy's Beretta participated in the bid but failed to meet the tough specifications laid down by the Indian Army. This led to a “single vendor situation” which attracted the attention of competitors who suspected foul play.

Carbines are rifles with short-range barrels and are suitable for close quarter combat. Frustrated due to delays in signing of the deal even after passing the trial way back in 2014, IWI has threatened that it may have to rethink its investments in India.

https://sputniknews.com/asia/201610121046269776-india-army-tender/

India Restarts Rifle Program (Again), Solicits for 7.62x51mm Rifles, Not 5.56x45mm

It feels like déjà vu: India has once again issued a Request For Information (RFI) for a new rifle, this time in 7.62x51mm NATO caliber. The RFI was reportedly issued on the 27th of September, making it two and a half months between the nation’s government announcing they were preparing the document, and actually issuing it. DefenseWorld reports on the RFI’s contents:

Total Quantity required is approximately 1,85,000 Assault Rifles out of which the immediate requirement is of approximately 65000 rifles. The approximately quantity 65000 Assault Rifles should be delivered within four (04) months to twenty eight months (28) from the day of signing of the contract, the RFI issued this Tuesday stated.

Tentative date of the issue of RFP is April 2017.

According to the RFI, the rifle should be capable of achieving accuracy better than three Minutes of Angle up to a range of minimum 500 meters. The rifle should be capable of fitting and firing of Indian in-service UBGL manufactured by Indian Ordnance Factory, Trichy. The rifle should have integrated open sight and multi option telescopic sight. Therifle has to be compatible with all modern sights and accessories and provision for mounting the same.

Oddly, in a DefenseNews article, Indian defense analyst Rahul Bhonsle did not feel the requirements for 500-meter accuracy and compatibility with telescopic sights were reasonable:

“The RFI is watered down, yet it still remains complex. Why does the Army require an assault rifle with a telescopic sight? [It] is not clear. Does it want every soldier to have a sniper capability? These complex, qualitative requirements do not augur well for the future of this RFI … unless at the [request for proposal] stage there is a change,” Bhonsle said.

“The range of 500 meters is highly optimistic,” he added.

The Indian Armed Forces have been trying to replace the troubled INSAS rifle for several years now. India’s indigenous AK-derived rifle has repeatedly underperformed, due to problems both in build qualityand inherent to the design. The Indian government had sought a foreign-made weapon, but that program was cancelled for what were likely political reasons. In the meantime, the country decided to replace the INSAS rifle in all major combat zones with the aging AK pattern of rifles, as a stopgap. With this most recent RFI, India is back on the international market, shopping for options. This time, however, the country is requesting larger-caliber guns, possibly joining both Pakistan andTurkey as nations using the 7.62mm NATO caliber as standard issue in lieu of a small-caliber, high-velocity round.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...gram-solicits-7-62x51mm-rifles-not-5-56x45mm/