New Delhi, March 28: The Indian Army is continuously modernizing its weaponry to enhance national security. In line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the first batch of ‘Prahaar’ light machine guns (LMGs) has been handed over to the army. The new 7.62×51 mm ‘Prahaar’ LMG will replace the older 5.56×45 mm INSAS LMG.
Although the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LOC) is relatively calm, there is no room for complacency regarding security. The army is swiftly upgrading its arsenal to boost its combat capabilities.
On Saturday, Adani Defence and Aerospace delivered the first batch of 2,000 ‘Prahaar’ LMGs to the Indian Army. This delivery was dispatched from the Adani Small Arms Complex in Gwalior, with several senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the company present at the event.
Ashish Rajvanshi, the CEO of the company, described this as a significant achievement under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. He noted that the supply of 41,000 LMGs was originally scheduled over seven years, but the company is working to complete it in less than three years. The first batch of 2,000 LMGs was delivered 11 months ahead of schedule.
He mentioned that the company has achieved the capacity to produce approximately 1,000 LMGs per month. In the next 12 months, they plan to deliver an additional 12,000 LMGs and 18,000 carbines. Manufacturing and supplying a total of 30,000 weapons from the Gwalior facility will be a significant milestone.
A. Ambarasu, the Director General of Acquisitions at the Ministry of Defence, stated that early delivery is a very positive sign for the Indian defense sector. He also mentioned that changes are being made in the defense procurement process to strengthen the industry further.
The Gwalior facility has the capacity to produce around 100,000 weapons annually, with approximately 90% of the materials being sourced domestically.
Regarding the features of the ‘Prahaar’ LMG, its striking capability is quite effective. It has a range of about 1,000 meters and can fire approximately 700 rounds per minute. It offers both a 120-round drum magazine and belt feed options, and it can be reloaded in just a few seconds. Weighing around 8 kilograms, it can be used on the ground as well as from vehicles and helicopters. The recoil during firing is also minimal.
The Indian Army issued a proposal for the purchase of over 40,000 LMGs in 2019, with the contract being finalized in 2024.
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