The Gold Standard for Small Arms
SP’s Land Forces’ Vishal Thapar profiles some of the world’s most iconic military rifles, and also takes a peek into the Indian Army’s new Infantry weapons
SP’s Land Forces’ Vishal Thapar profiles some of the world’s most iconic military rifles, and also takes a peek into the Indian Army’s new Infantry weapons
HK416/M27 ASSAULT RIFLE
Arguably the best assault rifle in the world, the Heckler and Koch 416 is famous as the weapon with which Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011. It looks similar to the American M4, but unlike the latter’s direct impingement system, uses a short-stroke gas piston action which keeps it cooler and requires less cleaning. It can fire around 900 NATO 5.56 mm rounds per minute.
The HK416 is designated the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle for the US Marine Corps Infantry. Design company & country of origin: Heckler and Koch - Germany First used: 2004
SA80 ASSAULT RIFLE
One of the most reliable rifles in the world and the standard issue weapon for the British Army, Navy, and Air Force. A bullpup-configuration weapon with its magazine positioned behind the trigger, it makes the weapon compact and easier to wield in urban warfare. It fires a 5.56 mm round and can use the same magazine as the American M4. Later variants have been upgraded by Heckler and Koch.
Design company & country of origin: Royal Small Arms Factory - United Kingdom First Used: 1985
AK-74M ASSAULT RIFLE:
The AK-74M replaced the legendary AK-47 as the standard issue rifle for the Russian land forces. The AK-74M uses the smaller and lighter 5.45 mm ammunition as compared to the 7.62 mm rounds used for the AK-47 in a 30-round magazine. This was used extensively against the US and Pakistan-propped mujahideen during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
This rifle has a side-folding stock and a 16.3-inch barrel in a total length of 37 inches. It has recently undergone Western-style modifications to incorporate a skeletonised stock, and rail accessory mounting system similar to that on the M4. The AK series of rifles are widely regarded as amongst the most reliable, easy to use, can withstand dust, grime, moisture, and can be fired even from under water.
Design company & country of origin: Kalashnikov - Soviet Union/Russia First Used: 1974
M4 CARBINE
The replacement for the venerable M16, a lighter and shorter variant, and hence called a carbine. It was accepted by the US Army in 1994, and used in many theatres. Originally developed by Colt for the UAE.
Like the M16A2, the M4 carbine fires the 5.56 mm round from a thirty-round magazine and has both semiautomatic and three-round-burst modes. Recently, the US Army decided to upgrade the gun to the M4A1 standard. It can be equipped with the M203 and M320 grenade launchers. Original design company & country of origin: Colt - USA First used: 1994
AS50 SNIPER RIFLE
Widely acknowledged as one of the world’s best sniper and anti-material rifles, this was specially designed for the British armed forces and the US Navy Seals. the AS50 has an effective kill range of 1.5 km, is light weight and can be assembled in less than 3 minutes. This .50 BMG rifle can fire 5 rounds in under 2 seconds and deliver explosive or incendiary ammunition with pinpoint accuracy. Design company & country of origin: Accuracy International - United Kingdom First used: 2007
TRACKINGPOINT ‘SMART RIFLES’
Whilst TrackingPoint does not produce its own firearm, it promises to usher in the era of ‘Smart Rifles’. The American company has developed the world’s first precision guided firearms (PGF) system to convert rifles into smart weapons.
This system calculates range, tracks a target, monitors wind direction and provides a firing solution to the user. It includes a head-up display (HUD) and provides an automatically adjusting aiming reticle. The system is under evaluation and testing by the US Army. It has reportedly been installed on the XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle in this context.
Design company & country of origin: TrackingPoint - USA First used: 2011