DRDO says its carbine ready for induction

New Delhi, December 10

The Defence Research and Development Organsiation (DRDO) on Thursday said its designed carbine was ready for induction.

The 5.56×30 mm carbine successfully underwent the final phase of user trials on Monday (December 7), meeting all parameters laid down in the Indian Army.

“This has paved the way for induction into the services. This was the last leg of trials in a series of user trials which have been carried out in extreme temperature conditions in summer and high altitudes in winter,” the DRDO, said. The weapon is a ‘gas operated semi bull-pup automatic weapon’ having a rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute. The effective range of the carbine is more than 100 m and it weighs about 3 kg. The key features include high reliability, low recoil, retractable butt, ergonomic design, single hand firing capability, and multiple rails to fit night sights.

The carbine has been designed as per Indian Army’s parameters, by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a Pune-based laboratory of the DRDO. The weapon is manufactured at Small Arms Factory, Kanpur, while the ammunition is manufactured at ammunition factory, Kirkee Pune. The weapon has already passed the trials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. — TNS