Sandeep Unnithan reports that ARDE is working on new long stroke 6.8x43 mm rifle, which is consistent with what Saurav Jha had earlier reported about renewed interest in 6.8 mm ammo. This may be linked to the long stroke carbine in works and might be a further development of the same.
This is interesting to note because US Army is also planning to procure 1,00,000 of new 6.8x43 mm rifles for limited fielding before taking a decision on standardising on the new round. The trials are expexted to start soon with all the bidders bringing in their own improved cartidge design. Interestingly, SiG has made advancement in cartridge design for the 6.8 ammo, using steel and brass instead of just brass, allowing up to 50% more pressure than regular cartirdge design.
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https://indiandefenceindustries.in/indi ... -sfweapons
HK416 and baretts likely coming in for the AFSOD.
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After seemingly acquiring a small number of SCAR-H and SCAR-L, another new weapon type has been displayed by NSG, i.e., the SiG MPX (9x19 parabellum). Attach a silencer on this baby with subsonic ammunition and this SMG goes hollywood quiet, and that is no exagerration. It might be possible that NSG is trying out replacements for Sig-550 series and HK MP5 series of weapons with limited adoption, before making a big jump.
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The IAF seems to have an interest in drum magazines suited for Tavor. As tactical as it sounds, drum magazines on bullpups are a very bad idea. Had they not mentioned Tavor, one might have gotten the impression that they were hunting for drum magazines for their Fn-Minimis, which have a famously unreliable magazine feed mechanism. It might be possible that like US marines, they might be exploring using a regular rifle as a replacement for Minimi, replacing them with Hk-416.
