Small Armaments & Infantry Equipment - News & Discussion

[S_Madhukar]

We need to dismantle this babugiri… Finance, defence, infrastructure should all be manned by professionals from those fields just like a private company

[Thakur_B]

Issues crop with US Army XM7 program.

[Thakur_B]

Big win for Baba Kalyani and DRDO.

[Manish_P]

....
Big win for Baba Kalyani and DRDO.

Congrats to them for their persistence.

It's a start...hopefully one of many.

The Big win will come when they get the Big orders for the Big guns.

[Bharadwaj]

Comment from the Insas: vengeance is mine

[Bharadwaj]

https://x.com/DRDO_India/status/1937004913361355089

Significantly boosting #atmanirbharta in critical technology, 5.56x45 mm CQB Carbine, designed and developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment(ARDE), DRDO and produced by @BharatForgeLtd selected as L1 in #IndianArmy RFP

It is done. Real Atmanirbharta!

[Prem Kumar]

I will believe it when the contract is signed and deliveries begin

Even then, expect hit-jobs on quality, performance & ergonomics. Hopefully Bharat Forge will do a good job of countering misinformation. I am sure they will deliver a quality product (better than our OFB mofos)

[VinodTK]

Indian Army is testing an AI machine gun that can detect, decide and destroy enemy on its own: Watch live demo

An Indian company has conducted the country’s first trial of an AI-enabled lethal weapon system in collaboration with the Indian Army. The test featured an autonomous machine gun capable of detecting and engaging targets with precision at long distances. It marks a major step in India's efforts to modernise its defence platforms using artificial intelligence.

First autonomous gun trial conducted by Indian firm
Between 1–8 June 2025, Bengaluru-based defence firm BSS carried out trials of an AI-controlled Negev light machine gun fitted with a 7.62×51 mm barrel. The tests were conducted at high altitude, with the system successfully identifying and tracking targets at up to 300 metres and engaging with accuracy at 600 metres. The maximum effective range of the Negev LMG is 1,000 metres.

“This is the first AI‑driven weapon in India that can fire any gun up to .50 calibre,” said Vicki Chaudhary, co-founder of BSS, during a television interview. “We are now among a group of select few countries which are performing successful trial of an autonomous lethal weapon.”

Capabilities include sensor fusion and remote operation
The machine gun uses a combination of thermal and optical sensors to detect targets in low visibility and employs ballistic compensation for factors like wind, temperature, and range. The system can be operated remotely using an encrypted command link, reducing the need to place troops in exposed positions.

Initial tests began on 5 April in Roorkee, and the high-altitude phase took place at 14,500 feet, according to Chaudhary. The company also said that the weapon system could function in an autonomous mode inside a bunker for up to 21 days. It can also be mounted on armoured vehicles and naval platforms using a stabilised system.
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[Rakesh]

DRDO-Bharat Forge develops an assault rifle lighter than a kitchen pressure cooker, built for urban warfare
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 068781.cms
25 June 2025

[Manish_P]

DRDO-Bharat Forge develops an assault rifle lighter than a kitchen pressure cooker, built for urban warfare
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 068781.cms
25 June 2025

Really, that's the best headline they could come up with ???

Is a pressure cooker the most relatable thing a person reading the economic times is going to be familiar with ?

What next... a RPG launcher whose weight will be compared to a Microwave Oven

[SRajesh]

^^Saar a person reading Economic Times today will still remember : 2 or 3 Whistles in the morning When Amma set up the cooker.
So please be assured that all and sundry will know the wieght of either Prestige or my namesake Rajesh or Hawkins weight!

[Manish_P]

^^Saar a person reading Economic Times today will still remember : 2 or 3 Whistles in the morning When Amma set up the cooker.
So please be assured that all and sundry will know the wieght of either Prestige or my namesake Rajesh or Hawkins weight!

^ they will remember the sound of the whistles, the fragrance & taste of the dish but not the weight of the cooker. Unless they helped Amma by washing it afterwards.

But theek hai...

[Prem Kumar]

They have only compared empty weights

They should also prove that weight of *carbine + cartridge* is less than weight of *pressure cooker + rice + dal for 2 people*

Only then, it will it pass GSQR

[Manish_P]

They have only compared empty weights

They should also prove that weight of *carbine + cartridge* is less than weight of *pressure cooker + rice + dal for 2 people*

Only then, it will it pass GSQR

[nachiket]

https://x.com/DRDO_India/status/1937004913361355089

Significantly boosting #atmanirbharta in critical technology, 5.56x45 mm CQB Carbine, designed and developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment(ARDE), DRDO and produced by @BharatForgeLtd selected as L1 in #IndianArmy RFP

It is done. Real Atmanirbharta!

Is there any article or video that talks about the operating mechanism and any other details of this gun? Is it a shortened INSAS or something else? The Sandeep Unnithan video did not have any information. From the pic, the mag release, fire selector, iron sights, charging handle and flash hider look similar to the INSAS but don't want to assume that the internals are similar as well.

[Thakur_B]

My gripes about the carbine,
- Should have had a gas regulator for suppressed operation.
- Should have had a AR15 / MCIWS style Magwell for familiarity of ergonomics to SiG716 and multiple magazine options because of open standards.
- Hanguard could have been full length for more accesories options
- Adjustable stock.

[Bharadwaj]

https://x.com/DRDO_India/status/1937004913361355089



It is done. Real Atmanirbharta!

Is there any article or video that talks about the operating mechanism and any other details of this gun? Is it a shortened INSAS or something else? The Sandeep Unnithan video did not have any information. From the pic, the mag release, fire selector, iron sights, charging handle and flash hider look similar to the INSAS but don't want to assume that the internals are similar as well.

The only thing remotely technical I know about it is it uses a long stroke piston which I am guessing is the same one of the insas.

[sanjayc]

I saw a video of Sandeep Unnithan in which he said that the DRDO gun is just a carbine version of INSAS.

INSAS was initially envisioned as a family of weapons consisting of an assault rifle, a LMG, and a carbine, sharing a high degree of parts commonality. DRDO's CQB gun is the carbine version of INSAS.

[nachiket]

I saw a video of Sandeep Unnithan in which he said that the DRDO gun is just a carbine version of INSAS.

INSAS was initially envisioned as a family of weapons consisting of an assault rifle, a LMG, and a carbine, sharing a high degree of parts commonality. DRDO's CQB gun is the carbine version of INSAS.

That's exactly why I asked the question. If this is indeed just a carbine version of the INSAS it's what ARDE set out to create a couple of decades ago and failed so badly they went to the extent of designing a new cartridge (5.56x30mm) for the carbine version - the MINSAS which eventually morphed into the MSMC/JVPC. Looks like they finally got around whatever issues plagued them the last time (had something to do with high recoil IIRC). We have come full circle.