Indian Military

INSAS
Insas Assault Rifle (Fixed butt)
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	India
Service history
In service	1998—present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Kargil War Nepalese Civil War 2008 Mumbai attacks
Production history
Designer	ARDE
Manufacturer	Indian State Ordnance Factory Board, Ishapore
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	4.25 kg (9.4 lb) empty 4.6 kg (10.1 lb) loaded
Length	960 mm (37.8 in), 750 mm (29.5 in) w/stock folded
Barrel length	464 mm (18.3 in)
Cartridge	5.56x45mm NATO, 5.56x30mm
Action	Gas-operated, Rotating bolt
Rate of fire	650 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	900 m/s (2,953 ft/s)
Effective range	450 Meters
Feed system	20/30-round detachable box magazine

INSAS (an abbreviation of INdian Small Arms System) is a family of infantry arms consisting of an assault rifle, a light machine gun and a carbine. It is manufactured by the Indian State Ordnance Factory Board at its Ishapore factory. The Insas Assault Rifle is now the standard infantry weapon of the Indian Armed Forces.

History

The Indian armed forces had been equipped with a copy of the famous Belgian FN FAL rifle since the 1950s. This copy was considered to be a distinct weapon , since its parts cannot be interchanged with either the metric or inch-pattern versions of the FAL. With the 7.62 mm self-loading rifle becoming obsolete in the 1980s, India began to develop the INSAS, incorporating features from several contemporary rifle designs. Although largely based on the ever-popular AKM, the INSAS has a number of differences, making it a unique weapon.

During the late 1980s, the Indians expressed interest in purchasing (and possibly manufacturing under license), an East German-designed AK chambered for the 5.56x45mm cartridge. The deal ultimately fell through.

The INSAS system was originally planned to have three component weapons: a standard rifle, a carbine, and a squad automatic rifle (LMG), all chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition. In 1997 the rifle and LMG were ready for mass production, and in 1998 the first Indian army units were observed armed with INSAS rifles for the Republic Day Parade. The mass introduction of the INSAS rifle was initially delayed by the lack of domestically made 5.56 mm ammunition; India accordingly bought significant stocks from the Israeli company, IMI. At least 300,000 INSAS rifles are in service with the Indian army; some of these have seen action in Indo-Pakistani conflicts.

Design

A soldier training with the INSAS rifle.

The INSAS rifle is based on the famous Kalashnikov AK-47 action, but with many modifications. The basic gas-operated action (long stroke gas system, rotating bolt, and stamped steel receiver) is of the Kalashnikov pattern. The gas system is fitted with a manual gas regulator similar in design to that found on the FN FAL as well as a gas cutoff. The charging handle is positioned on the left side of the forearm; it is similar in position and design to the German HK G3 rifle.

The selector/safety switch is located on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip, which allows single shots and three-round bursts. The rifle is fitted with a side-folding carrying handle, and either a solid or side-folding metal buttstock. Furniture is made of polymer with the stock using the butt-plate from Lee-Enfield rifles. Standard magazines are made from semi-translucent polymer and contain 20 rounds. Longer 30-round magazines of similar design are available for the INSAS LMG but can also be used in the rifle. The sights consist of a hooded front, mounted on top of the gas block, and a diopter rear, mounted on the receiver cover. The flash suppressor is shaped to accept NATO-standard rifle grenades. It can be fitted with an AKM-style multipurpose knife-bayonet.

The assault rifle version has semi-auto and 3-round burst modes much like the US M16A2. Derived from the INSAS weapon systems, the INSAS Excalibur Mark-I is ergonomically designed with a folding butt and can be fitted with 20 and 30-round magazines. It is also fitted with a Picatinny rail for mounting of opto-electronic devices. The INSAS Excalibur variant, to be used by Special forces, has semi-automatic and full automatic fire modes.

An under-barrel grenade launcher and bayonet have been developed for the INSAS, which are also compatible with the AK-47s used by paramilitary forces.

Variant & Developments

• INSAS assault rifle 5.56 mm - Regular version issued to the Indian army (folding and fixed butt variants).

• Excalibur 5.56 mm carbine - Select fire between automatic and semi- automatic modes,after extensive user trial army decided to decline for inception of excalibur, the main obstacle was Loud sound & Huge Muzzle Flash which was undesirable, reason was said to be the regular round was too powerful for this short barreled gun.

• MINSAS 5.56 mm personal carbine (short barrel commando version, 5.56 x 30 mm ammunition, for close quarter battle use).Specification details are available at OFB official site, yet to be commisioned in forces.

• INSAS LMG 5.56 mm INSAS (folding and fixed butt variants)An Indian version of Squad Automatic Weapon(SAW) Incorporated for suppressive and cover fire for troops. Barrel is designed for long and continued fire,It has auto fire mode with 30 round feed capacity along with Bipods. Ment to replace the old Bren LMG.

• KALANTAK 5.56 mm micro assault rifle (under-going user trials). An automatic assault weapon designed for tactical response squads, however there is very less info available regarding its progress except for some Pics taken at Defence Expo's.

• AMOGH 5.56 mm, (No Pics & Specification available), it is only known that this Rifle was Designed & Produced at OFB-Small Arms Factory Kanpur, and was rejected by Army on its first trial.

• MSMC Modern sub machine carbine - A unique weapon in the INSAS family, having a distinct ammunition designed specially for the gun, although the calibre is same as 5.56 mm.Its shape & looks are some how similar to UZI & MP7. Passed two phases of trials by Army, third and final trial has been conducted in December 2009.

Users

•  India: Assault rifle and LMG variants were adopted by Indian Army.
•  Nepal: 23,000 INSAS rifles supplied to the Nepalese Army at a 70% subsidy price.