BSF finalises plan for 3,000 advanced pistols

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 4

With increasing volatility along the western frontiers, the Border Security Force (BSF) has finalised a requirement for 3,000 new generation pistols that would enhance the combat capability of its personnel in varied operational environments.

BSF sources said one of the key parameters defined for the new weapon was that it should have a compact version to allow greater concealability for special operations.

At present, the standard issue sidearm is the 9mm A1 pistol, a version of the 1935 vintage Browining high-powered pistol being licensed manufactured by the state-run ordnance factories since 1977. Small numbers of other more modern pistols like the Glock are also available with the BSF for special tasks.

Unlike the present weapon, the BSF wants each new pistol to be equipped with ‘picatinny rails’ integrated with the weapon’s underside to provide interface for accessories like tactical lights and laser aiming devices, besides the regular sights having a luminous dot facility for night firing, sources said. Having a body made from polymers or reinforced plastic rather than metal, the defined operating temperature zone is minus 30°C to 50°C.

The move to procure these weapons is part of the modernisation of the Central Armed Police Forces that function under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Over the past three fiscals, the BSF spent Rs 257 crore, Rs 382 crore and Rs 385 crore for procuring arms and ammunition, according to official figures.

The BSF, which guards the international border with Pakistan and Bangladesh and is also deployed at certain places along the LoC, has been increasingly involved in fire-fights with Pakistan in the Jammu region. Some of its pickets have also been targeted by Pakistan’s so-called Border Action Teams that undertake subversive strikes across the LoC. 

New specifications

• The BSF wants each new pistol to be equipped with 'picatinny rails' integrated with the weapon's underside to provide interface for accessories like tactical lights and laser aiming devices
• It also wants the pistols to have a luminous dot facility for night firing and a body of polymers or reinforced plastic rather than metal. The defined operating temperature zone is -30°C to 50°C