INSAS

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 Ordnance Factories Board at Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli, Small Arms Factory Kanpur and Ishapore Rifle Factory. The Insas Assault Rifle is the standard infantry weapon of the Indian Armed Forces.

History

The Indian armed forces had been equipped with a copy of the 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.[1] With the 7.62 mm semi-automatic rifle becoming obsolete in the 1980s, India began to develop the INSAS, incorporating features from several contemporary rifle designs. Although largely based on the 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.[2] 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.[citation needed] At least 300,000 INSAS rifles are in service with the Indian army; some of these have seen action in Indo-Pakistani conflicts.

Design

The INSAS rifle is based on the Kalashnikov AK-47 action with 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 latest variant of the INSAS has semi-automatic, 3 round bursts and full automatic fire modes.
An under-barrel grenade launcher and bayonet have been recently been issued for use with the INSAS, which are also compatible with the AK-47s used by paramilitary forces.

Variant

INSAS Standard rifle (5.56 mm) issued to Indian Army & Paramilitary, with folding and fixed butt variants, fires semi-automatic and three round burst. An assault variant is also manufactured with full auto fire mode along with semi & three burst mode, used by Indian Army.
INSAS (Foldable Butt) (5.56 mm) It resembles 5.56 mm Assault Rifle Fixed Butt in all other features except that the Fixed Butt is replaced with a foldable type of Butt to shorten the overall length and it does not include automatic mode of firing.It is most suitable for combat from ICV and in Para Troopers role.[5]
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. Meant to replace the old Bren LMG.


Kalantak Micro Assault Rifle 5.56mm
KALANTAK 5.56 mm micro assault rifle (under-going user trials), - Kalantak Micro Assault Rifle is a gas operated automatic, air cooled, folding butt Rifle for CQB & Personnel Defence Weapon Role. The weapon uses the same ammunition (5.56x45mm) as used in Rifle/ LMG, thus reducing the logistic problems in having different kinds of ammunition for different role of weapons. It’s design and mechanism is simple and having the capability to accommodate the various modern optical sights like Red Dot Sight, Holographic, MARS etc., available internationally in the market. Due consideration has been given for Reliability, Ergonomics and Aesthetics in designing of the Weapon. The furniture items will be subjected to continual improvement from human engineering point of view.[6]
Modern Sub Machine Carbine - A submachinegun in the INSAS family, which uses unique 5.56×30mm MINSAS ammunition designed specially for the gun. The magazine is in the pistol grip as in the Uzi. Passed two phases of trials by Army, third and final trial has been conducted in December 2009

Specifications

Weight {3.2
Length 960 mm (37.8 in),
750 mm (29.5 in) w/stock folded
Barrel length 464 mm (18.3 in)
Cartridge 5.56x45mm INSAS
5.56x45mm NATO
5.56×30mm MINSAS
Action Gas-operated, Rotating bolt
Rate of fire 650 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s)
Effective range 550 Meters
Feed system 20/30-round detachable box magazine
Sights In-built Iron sights
Plate for attaching various scopes made by Ordnance Factory Board