Army Hunts for New Sniper Rifles to Replace Draganov

Infantry wants sniper with extra range; 8.6 mm calibre for more accuracy & power

The standing committee on home affairs has demanded an explanation from senior officers of the Home Ministry , top officers of the Army , BSF and intelligence agencies on why the security forces and agencies failed to foil repeated terrorists attacks from across the border, especially on sensitive targets such as Army bases, with Nagrota incident being the latest, sources said.A meeting of the standing committee headed by ex-home minister P Chidambaram was held on Wednesday to discuss the recent Nagrota attack that claimed the lives of seven Army personnel. The committee members asked officials pointed questions on why “no lessons were learnt“ even after the recent attacks on Pathankot and Uri Army bases. They were also asked to explain what specific counter-security measures were put in place after the Pathankot and Uri attacks and why such steps failed to prevent the Nagrota attack, sources said. MPs also asked the officers and officials to give reasons for increase in terror strikes from Pakistan even after the recent surgical strikes.

In his reply, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi is learnt to have said Pakbased terrorists carried out the Nagrota attack and NIA probe would reveal reasons why security measures failed. After his submission, Mehrishi, with the permission of the panel Chairman, left the meeting for another official engagements.Others called before the committee included Vice-Chief of Army , head of BSF and top officials of IB.

Army Hunts for New Sniper Rifles NIA to Probe Nagrota Attack XX P4 The Indian Army is hunting for a new sniper rifle for the infantry which will have considerably more range, fire power and accuracy than the existing inventory, giving soldiers on the borders an edge over the enemy.

Proposals have been invited from global manufacturers to present modern sniper rifles that can take down targets at a range of 1200 metres with highly accurate 8.6 mm bullets ­ a new standard which has much more stopping power than the 7.62 mm rounds being used at present.

In a request for information, the Army has spelt out its need for over 5000 new sniper rifles -to be assigned to infantry units that are primarily stationed along the border -and the specifications mean that these would have 50% more range than the currently used Russian Dragunov rifles.

The extra range can be the difference between life and death on the border, particularly on the line of control where soldiers are posted within visual range of each other in mountainous terrain. The escalation in violence on the border has hastened several procurement plans of the Army . There have been at least three cases of fatal casualties on the Indian side through sniper fire in the past few months.

The request for information is the first stage of procurement and tenders are likely to be issued by June next year. The Army has also asked manufacturers for information on whether the rifles required can be manufactured in India as part of a joint venture or through a transfer of license.

This information is needed for the Army to `categorise’ the purchase. As per the new procurement policy , only those weapon systems that cannot be made in India would be procured from international sources. In the case of the sniper rifle, however, the numbers required may not be adequate to produce the weapon in India in a cost beneficial manner.

The Army has been trying to procure a new set of weapons for the infantry -the largest warfighting arm of the military.

Source: The Economic Times (Delhi)

Govt makes licence mandatory for air guns

Air guns, which could earlier be bought off the shelf even from toy shops, will now be difficult to acquire as a licence will be needed for all air weapons, including air rifles, air guns and paintball markers, irrespective of the muzzle energy or calibre or bore, according to the new arms rules notified by the government.

Not just that, a manufacturer of certain air weapons including air rifles and air guns having muzzle energy exceeding 20 joules or 15 foot-pound (ftlbs) or bore exceeding 0.177 or 4.5 mm will have to maintain record with ID proof of the buyer.

Recently, the Hyderabad module of Islamic State busted by NIA was found using air guns for target practice as the members were planning terror attacks. An air gun was recovered from them. Intelligence agencies had issued alerts in past that air weapons were used by Indian Mujahideen terrorists for target practice and also by militants based in Kashmir.

The Arms Rules 2016, notified through a gazette notification by the home ministry recently, says, “Manufacture or proof test or both, transfer, sale, keeping for sale or transfer of all types of air weapons by a manufacturer, including air rifles, air guns and paintball markers or guns irrespective of the muzzle energy or calibre or bore shall be subject to licensing.”

Some officials said the new rules will make it tough to get arms licence now, for restricted/prohibited weapons used by army , police, security forces and air guns as well, which were earlier easily available.

Those looking to save their crops from damage from wild animals will also get arms licence under the new rules formulated by the government.

Source : The Times of India (Delhi)