India Prefers AK-Series Assault Rifle

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The AK-series of assault rifles are increasingly being preferred by the security forces in India due to their utility in all-weather conditions, good rate of fire and ease of adaptability in multifarious combat zones, a security official from the Union home ministry said.

These rifles are considered superior to the indigenously made INSAS rifles (Indian Small Arms System) as their fire is accurate, spews quick round of bullets and is better to operate in jungle warfare conditions where moisture and heat affect the performance of a rifle, he added.

A stockpile of over 36,000 modern AK-series assault rifles have been recently provided to central paramilitary forces and select state police units in India. The weapons have been procured from Bulgaria after a global tender was completed successfully sometime back.
“These AK-47 rifles are now being sent to multiple Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and state police units who were part of the joint tender. A good bulk of these weapons will go to the CRPF and BSF (Border Security Force)  who have to deal with internal security challenges, guard the border and tackle Left-wing extremism and militants and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir,” said the official.

When contacted, a senior CRPF officer said the weapons will be provided to their combat units in Jammu and Kashmir and anti-Naxal operation areas in a month’s time, according to indiatimes.com.