7.4 lakh new assault rifles to replace INSAS

New Delhi, February 13

The Defence Acquisition Council, the top decision-making body of the Ministry of Defence, today okayed a plan to acquire 7.4 lakh assault rifles to replace the standard INSAS rifles — a three-decade-old design.

It also okayed a plan to have 5,719 new sniper rifles at an estimated cost of Rs 982 crore. The weapons will be bought through the global tendering route. The DAC also okayed Rs 1,819 crore for “essential quantity” of new light machine guns (LMG).

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The assault rifles are for the three services. These will be “Made in India” through the Ordnance Factory Board and private industry at an estimated cost of Rs 12,280 crore.

In January, the council had okayed a Rs 3,547-crore project to acquire 72,400 infantry rifles and 93,895 carbines for close-quarter encounters.

To enhance the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of naval ships, it approved procurement of torpedo decoy systems. The “Mareech” system, developed by DRDO, has successfully completed extensive trial evaluations. It will be produced by Bharat Electronics Limited at a cost of Rs 850 crore. — TNS