15 indigenously built weapons launched

Missile launching platform, sniper rifle on the anvil

Within few days of the Centre’s ban on the import of 101 defence items, 15 indigenously built weapons and products including a missile platform were launched on Thursday for the Indian armed forces.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh launched them in New Delhi.

One of the 15 products is Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA), a missile launching platform for the third generation anti-tank fire, using an indigenously produced Infantry Combat Vehicle with amphibious capabilities.

Jointly developed by Ordnance Factory Medak and Defence Research Development Laboratory, the platform can fire six missiles with a gap of 20 seconds.

The NAMICA has the potential for import substitution to the tune of `260 cr in the first phase, which may go upto more than `3,000 crore.

It is followed by the 14.5/20 mm Anti Material Rifle, developed by the Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli.

It is a dual calibre single shot with bolt action sniper rifle for destroying enemy bunkers, light armoured vehicles, radar systems etc. modular, man-portable and highly accurate.

Another is the 8.6x 70mm Sniper Rifle, made by the Rifle Factory Ishapore, which is a light and durable sniper rifle with a range of 1500m using high strength aluminium alloy.

It is the indigenous replacement to sniper rifles being imported from Finland, Italy and other countries.

The list also has the Upgraded Commanders Thermal Imager-cum-Day sight for T-90 tanks which is jointly developed by the Opto Electronics Factory, Dehradun and IRDE for the Indian Army.

It has a range of maximum detection of 8,000 meters at night.

It will also be retrofitted in T-90 Tanks already in service and will lead to substantial foreign exchange savings.