Assault Rifles for Indian Army

Indian Army is on the lookout for assault rifles (AR) to replace the INSAS 5.56mm Rifles with technologically superior weapons. In the race are assault rifles of the Czech Republic’s Czeca, IWI, Baretta and Colt and Sig Sauer, all weighing around 3.6 kg. The other requirements include the ability to convert from 5.56 x 45mm to 7.62 x 39mm calibres by merely switching the barrel and magazine for employment in counter-insurgency and/or conventional offensive/ defensive operations. They also need to be fitted with detachable under barrel grenade launchers and be capable of firing Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)-produced 5.56mm x 45 (SS109) ammunition rounds. This procurement will also involve transfer of technology to the OFB to licence-build the assault rifles. Army’s immediate requirement is for around 2,18,320 rifles whereas India’s assault rifle requirement is estimated at between two million and three million to arm the large Central Paramilitary Forces and the state police. At this scale, India’s assault rifle acquisitions could be one of the world’s largest small arms contracts in recent times worth over $5 billion in due course.

COLT MODULAR CARBINE CM901

Initially developed to exceed the original SCAR requirements of a multi-calibre, single serial number modular weapon system, the Colt CM901 7.62 x 51 NATO (.308 Winchester) has the modularity and versatility required to convert from 7.62mm to 5.56mm calibre. Its free-floating barrel and one-piece monolithic upper receiver provide exceptional accuracy. The revolutionary lower receiver and bolt carrier design enable the upper receiver group to be easily swapped out for any Colt MilSpec upper receiver chambered in 5.56 x 45 NATO (.223 Remington), without tools, in under a minute - allowing the weapon to be reconfigured to any situation at a moment’s notice. All operating controls are ambidextrous, providing flexibility and ease of use.