The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Underbarrel grenade launchers to be supplied to two States

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Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Underbarrel grenade launchers to be supplied to two States

Staff Reporter

First consignment will be despatched next month

115 pieces will be supplied to MP, Chhattisgarh in batches
Factory awaits orders for supply of the weapons to Rashtriya Rifles

R.K. Jain

TIRUCHI: The Ordnance Factory, Tiruchi, will shortly supply its newly developed 40-mm underbarrel grenade launcher to the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattishgarh police.

A total of 115 pieces will be supplied to the two States in batches, and the first consignment of 30 pieces will be despatched next month.

Developed in association with the Defence Research Development Organisation, the Under Barrel Grenade Launcher could be fitted in the advanced Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) and AK-47 rifles, Ordnance Factory General Manager R.K. Jain told reporters after inaugurating an exhibition of weapon systems, manufactured by the factory, organised on the occasion of the Ordnance Factories Day on Tuesday.

The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Reserve Police Force had evinced interest in procuring the Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, Mr. Jain said. The factory would organise a demonstration of the weapon and its performance for the BSF at Tekanpur, near Gwalior, in April.

The factory was awaiting orders for the supply of the weapons to the Rashtriya Rifles, a dedicated force involved in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The factory had conceptualised a light weight 12.7-mm Anti-Materiel Rifle for the Army to strike targets at a distance of two km. The weapon, weighing 15 kg, would be used to hit high-value targets in the border areas.

The first prototype would be ready in six-nine months for in-house evaluation. Modifications would be incorporated into the system after the Army gave its feedback, he said.

The factory was now making nine types of rifles, medium calibre weapons and cannons with different ranges and ammunitions, he said.

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