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INFANTRY WEAPONS

Comments: The 12.7mm NSV heavy machine gun is used on the T-72M1 and the 14.5mm KPV, also a heavy machine gun, is used on the OT-62/64. Around 200,000+ INSAS 5.56mm Assault Rifles have been issued. The 7.62mm FN-FAL rifles were bought from Belgium. Variants of the legendary AK-47 rifle are used by COIN (counter-insurgency) troops and also by Special Forces. The Army does not use the Russian 7.62mm AKM but rather models from Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and the former East Germany. Around 200,000 are in service. Also in service is the Czechoslovakian V.58 rifle, which resembles the 7.62mm AKM, but are not the same. Snipers use the 7.62mm Dragunov and the 7.62mm Mauser SP66 sniper rifles which have dedicated sniper scopes for day/night sniping.

It was reported in late 2002, that 200 interactive firearm-training simulators were ordered from Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL), Hyderabad at a cost of $75,000 each. These state-of-the-art simulators will be utilized to train soldiers and paramilitary forces in using pistols, revolvers, assault rifles, machine guns and mortars. The system simulates scenarios of up to 32 guns firing, including realistic sound and moving target applications. Globes Online reported in December 2004, that an Israeli company - Star Night Technologies - was awarded a $4.8 million contract by the Indian Army. The contract involves miniature night vision sights for rifles and testing systems. 80% of manufacturing will take place in Israel and 20% in India.

It was reported in December 2004, that the Indian Army was conducting final user trials of a handheld computer - developed by Encore Software - known as SATHI (Situational Awareness and Tactical Handheld Information). The system is an integrated battle computer (based on an open source Linux platform) with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and radio, customised Geographical Information System (GIS) enabling field sketches with a customised symbol library for map marking, an internal radio modem, encrypted software and capabilities to send text messages. Weighing just 875 grams, it can easily fit into a soldier's palm and also has a remotely operated self-destruction and activation feature for preventing misuse by unauthorized persons. The Army has already acquired 90 systems in a pilot project at Jammu & Kashmir and will extend it other areas.

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