India Seeking Infantry Modernisation

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The Indian Army has finalised one of its biggest procurement plans for infantry modernisation. The plan will see a large number of light machine guns, battle carbines and assault rifles being purchased to replace its ageing and obsolete weapons.

The broad process includes purchasing 44,000 light machine guns (LMGs) and nearly 44,600 carbines. It has been finalised and the defence ministry is on the same page with the Army in moving ahead with the procurement, indianexpress.com reported. The report added that a process to procure the LMGs will begin in the next few days, the plan is to initially procure around 10,000 pieces. The Army has also finalised the specifications for a new 7.62 mm assault rifle.

In June, the Army had rejected an assault rifle built by the state-run Rifle Factory, Ishapore, after the guns miserably failed the firing tests. The procurement of assault rifles has witnessed significant delays due to a variety of reasons including the Army’s failure to finalise the specifications for it. Also In June, the Army started the process to procure 44,600 carbines, nearly eight months after a tender for it was retracted, due to single-vendor situation.
“The infantry modernisation plan is a major initiative of the Army and it will significantly bolster the overall capability of the foot soldiers,” said a senior army official. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman conveyed to the Army during a recent conference that modernisation of the force was a priority for the government and all its “deficiencies” will be addressed to strengthen its combat capability.