Pune: The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and a Hyderabad-based private firm have joined forces to launch an indigenous assault rifle called ‘Ugram’ (ferocious) for the Indian Army. This collaboration marks the first time the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab has partnered with a private industry to manufacture a 7.62 x 51 mm calibre rifle. The weapon, designed and developed to meet the operational requirements of the Indian armed forces, paramilitary forces, and state police forces, weighs less than four kg and has a firing range of 500 meters.
At the unveiling ceremony held on Monday, Shailendra Gade, the director general of the Armament and Combat Engineering (ACE) system of the DRDO, officially introduced the ‘Ugram’ rifle. According to scientists and private players involved in the development process, the rifle was created based on the General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs) issued by the Indian Army for assault rifles.
One of the primary reasons behind the significance of this project is the current shortage of assault rifles in the Indian armed forces. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has affected the import of AK-203 rifles, leading to delays. In response to this situation, the collaboration between ARDE and the private firm aims to bridge the gap and ensure a domestic supply of assault rifles.
A Raju, the director of ARDE, explained that his laboratory developed the design for the ‘Ugram’ rifle and followed the concept of development cum production partner (DCPP) to execute the project in collaboration with the private firm. The weapon will undergo various internal trials at the firing range to assess its performance and address any shortcomings before proceeding to user trials.
Weapon testing is a time-consuming process, as it needs to meet the basic threshold of accuracy and smooth functioning required by the armed forces. To ensure thorough evaluations, a board of officers, represented by the Indian Army, will conduct a series of user trials in different weather conditions and terrains, including high-altitude regions and deserts. If any specific requirements are not met, necessary measures will be taken to fulfill them promptly.
The joint efforts of ARDE and the private firm have resulted in the development of the ‘Ugram’ rifle in just 100 days. G Ram Chaitanya Reddy, director of Dvipa Armour India, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating that it is the first successful joint venture project executed in record time. Five rifles have already been developed for testing in the initial phase, with an additional 15 rifles planned for advanced testing.
In addition to the rifle launch, ARDE has established a dedicated barrel manufacturing facility on its premises. This facility, created at a cost of Rs 60 crore, will manufacture barrels for various weapons in a shorter time frame. By expanding their capabilities to include barrel production, ARDE aims to assist private industries in executing their weapon manufacturing projects. The facility has imported machines from Austria, which are commonly used by ordnance factories in barrel manufacturing.
According to PS Prasad, project director of the small arms section of ARDE, many manufacturers have already expressed a high demand for cost-effective barrels that can be produced domestically. By leveraging their expertise and resources, ARDE aims to fulfill this demand and support private industries in their weapon manufacturing endeavors.
Overall, the successful launch of the ‘Ugram’ assault rifle and the establishment of the dedicated barrel manufacturing facility mark significant advancements in indigenous weapon production for the Indian Army. The collaboration between public and private entities showcases the country’s commitment to self-reliance and meeting the armed forces’ requirements efficiently.
