BSF eyes new rifle: Evaluating DRDO’s Ugram to replace INSAS

The Border Security Force (BSF) is evaluating a new larger calibre indigenous assault rifle developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), that could replace the existing INSAS rifles as the standard issue weapon.

The border guarding force has asked for 10 Ugram 7.62 mm rifles, along with ammunition, for trials. These rifles use a larger cartridge than the 5.56 mm INSAS rifles that were also developed by DRDO about three decades ago.

The move by the BSF to go in for a larger calibre rifle mirrors a similar move by the Army, which is adopting the Russian origin AK-203 as well as the SIG-716 rifles, which fire the 7,62 mm round.

Larger calibre rounds offer a higher kill probability and also longer range, with the emphasis being on ‘shoot to kill’ rather than on ‘shoot to injure’. This is a departure from the existing philosophy that hinges on the premise that an incapacitated soldier would tie down more soldiers to assist or evacuate him.

Before the induction of INSAS, the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) used the semi-automatic 7.62 mm self-loading rifle and prior to it the 7.62 mm bolt action rifle, the design of which dated back to the pre-World War 2 era. Both these rifles packed a powerful punch.

Developed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and a Hyderabad-based firm Dvipa Armour India Private Limited, the Ugram rifle is claimed to be fully indigenous, which if successful, would make it a cost-effective option. It has been designed to meet the Indian Army’s requirements for an assault rifle to replace INSAS.

Besides the armed forces, all CAPFs as well as state police forces widely use INSAS. The combined strength of the armed forces is about 14 lakh and that of CAPFs about 10 lakh, which gives an indication of the number of rifles that could be procured.

The new rifle, unveiled in 2024, will be evaluated for its accuracy, reliability and ruggedness under field conditions. It has an effective range of 500 meters and weighs less than four kgs.