Plus add the appendix part. That alone is meant to ensure that a reader with rudimentary skills is able to grasp the message. That's huge.
Small Arms & Tactical Equipment
- Thread starter Parthu
- Start date
Plus add the appendix part. That alone is meant to ensure that a reader with rudimentary skills is able to grasp the message. That's huge.
I do understand engineering drawings , where there is need to provide every dimension , view (top,front,side)....etc all those stuff. But even with all the things detailed at minute level , quantity of document specified is too huge. Even a mother board which contains more parts does not have such huge documentation, they have literally standardized most of the parts.
Its just they are following outdated process and living in 1970's. They are simply using process to string us along and ppl in military are happy to have a project that keep can keep them engaged for a decade.
it is not just that, all the test batch certificates , inspection reports , cemilac rcma signed stuff , user manual for each, associated machinery vendor source details, their accreditation certified copies, things like that all are in the scope of technical documentation which is outsourced. You have seen amount of paperwork each vendor need to submit, coc , pricing, insurance cover if applicable, free issue material BG cover, numerous other stuff all that are part of entire project documentation work.
Technology Development Board-Department of Science and Technology (TDB-DST) supports M/s dvipa Defence India Pvt. Ltd. in Strengthening India's Small Arms Manufacturing Ecosystem"
TDB-DST backs Homegrown Innovation: dvipa’s UGRAM Rifle Marks a New Era in Indian Small Arms Manufacturing"
Posted On: 17 APR 2025 2:45PM by PIB DelhiThe Ministry of Science and Technology, through the Technology Development Board (TDB), has taken a pivotal step toward indigenizing India’s small arms manufacturing capability by extending financial assistance to M/s dvipa Defence India Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad (erstwhile M/s dvipa Armour Pvt. Ltd.). The project, titled “Development and Commercialization of 7.62 mm x 51 mm Assault Rifles,” aims to produce high-performance, indigenous assault rifles in alignment with the Indian Army’s General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR).
TDB’s assistance will play a crucial role in enabling the development, testing, and commercialization of the UGRAM rifle, including the creation of a state-of-the-art in-house manufacturing unit with integrated quality assurance and testing infrastructure.
For decades, India has depended heavily on imported small arms, resulting in substantial foreign exchange outflows and interoperability challenges across armed forces, thereby complicating training and logistics. The ageing INSAS rifles, once developed through earlier collaborations, are increasingly viewed as inadequate for modern combat needs. In 2017, the Government initiated a policy shift to replace these with advanced, reliable rifles chambered in 7.62 mm x 51 mm NATO-grade ammunition.
In response to this national need, dvipa Defence, incorporated in October 2018, emerged as a strong domestic player in the defence manufacturing sector. As one of the early license holders for small arms and ammunition production, the company partnered with DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, to develop a fully indigenous assault rifle, UGRAM – Sanskrit for “ferocious.” Demonstrating exceptional execution, five prototypes were developed within 100 days and successfully passed initial testing at ARDE.
UGRAM: A Modern, Indigenous Combat-Ready Assault Rifle
UGRAM is a modular, ergonomically designed 7.62 mm x 51 mm assault rifle, tailored for counter-insurgency (CI) and counter-terror (CT) operations by armed forces, paramilitary units, and special forces. It incorporates several advanced features:
- Indigenous Development:
- 100% design, material selection, manufacturing, and testing conducted domestically and approved by ARDE, DRDO.
- Key Features:
- Long-stroke piston mechanism for enhanced reliability.
- High-strength steel used in all pressure-bearing parts.
- High-grade nylon-based handguard, pistol grip, and buttstock.
- Ambidextrous magazine release and ergonomic, side-mounted cocking handle.
Commenting on TDB’s support, Founders of M/s dvipa Defence India Pvt. Ltd. said,“We are proud to contribute to India’s strategic autonomy by building world-class defence products from Indian soil. The support from TDB strengthens our resolve to manufacture for the forces, by the forces, in India.”
TONBO EK Thermal Scope mounted SIG 716i. This could be a great set up:
CARACAL and ICOMM Inaugurate State-of-the-Art Small Arms Manufacturing Facility in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, India/Abu Dhabi, UAE: 21 April 2025 – CARACAL, a leading small arms manufacturer from the UAE and an entity within EDGE Group, in collaboration with ICOMM Tele Ltd, a group company of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), today inaugurated a world-class small arms manufacturing facility at ICOMM’s Integrated Engineering Facility in Hyderabad.
This exclusive facility will serve as a local manufacturing hub for a comprehensive portfolio of advanced weapons under a historic Technology Transfer (ToT) agreement with CARACAL, marking a landmark milestone in UAE–India defence collaboration.
Under this initiative, the facility will produce:
- The mission-proven CAR 816 close-quarters battle rifle, chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO
- The highly-reliable CAR 817 assault rifle, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO
- The lightweight CSR 338 bolt-action sniper rifle, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum
- The lightweight CSR 308 bolt-action sniper rifle, chambered in .308 Winchester
- The highly-accurate CSR 50 bolt-action anti-materiel sniper rifle, chambered in 12.7x99mm NATO
- The modern CMP9 submachine gun, chambered in 9x19mm
- The versatile CARACAL EF and CARACAL F GEN II combat pistols, chambered in 9x19mm
Sumanth Paturu, Managing Director, ICOMM Tele Ltd, said: “This facility stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to India’s defence forces and our belief in the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. At ICOMM, we are not just making in India, we are making for India and for the world, with precision, pride and purpose.
With CARACAL by our side as a trusted and visionary partner, we are building more than world-class weapons—we are building a bold, self-reliant India. This is our salute to every soldier, and our promise to deliver quality that protects, empowers and inspires.”
Hamad Alameri, CEO of CARACAL, said: “The launch of the ICOMM CARACAL Small Arms Complex marks a milestone in our efforts to support the Indian market and defence industry.
As the first small arms technology transfer from the UAE to India, the factory further highlights our commitment to Prime Minister Modi’s Make in India initiative. With successful technical qualification by two Special Forces units and strong progress in army trials, we are proud to deepen our role in India’s defence ecosystem. ICOMM has proven to be a highly capable and reliable partner, with world-class manufacturing expertise and a deep commitment to national self-reliance."
The facility is a cornerstone in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India journey, blending global technology with Indian manufacturing excellence. It will also support CARACAL’s international programmes, strengthening India’s role as a trusted global defence production hub.
CRPF to hold fresh trials for procurement of 200 sniper rifles after intervention by Delhi HC
SSS Defence, one of three bidders, challenged process in HC over competitors’ use of ammo different from tender requirement. Other bidders were Adani’s PLR and MEIL’s ICOMM.
By Keshav Padmanabhan
21 April 2025 06:32 pm IST
File photo of sniper rifle designed by Bengaluru-based SSS Defence | ANI
New Delhi: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is set to conduct a retrial for the procurement of 200 sniper rifles and 20,000 ammunition following intervention of the Delhi High Court, ThePrint has learnt.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said Indian small arms manufacturer SSS Defence challenged the tendering process in court after two other competitors used superior ammunition than the one specified by the CRPF. According to the petition filed by SSS Defence, CRPF had issued a tender for procurement of 200 sniper rifles, along with 20,000 numbers of .338 Lapua Magnum ball/lock base ammunition.
While SSS Defence cleared the 100-metre, 800-metre and 1,000-metre field trials, it failed in the 400-metre.
It was then revealed that while SSS Defence used ammunition specified by CRPF, its two competitors used Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT) ammunition—which provides more stability and better accuracy—in the field trials.
Use of HPBT rounds provided the other two bidders, PLR Systems (a joint venture between Adani Group and Israel Weapon Industries) and ICOMM (a MEIL group company in collaboration with CARACAL from UAE), an unfair advantage, argued SSS Defence before the Delhi High Court.
On 8 April, the high court interim order noted that CRPF offered to hold a retrial as per the requirements of the tender, and quashed SSS Defence’s disqualification from the process. The three bidders for the contract had all failed various parts of the two field trials held in January and February of this year, however, SSS Defence was the only bidder to be disqualified.
The first field trial held in Pune in January, saw the SSS Defence sniper rifle clear the 400-metre test, while PLR failed. However, given that the trial was inconclusive, it was decided to hold a second field trial in February.
It was after the second trials were concluded, that SSS Defence noticed the difference in the ammunition used by the two other bidders and at the end of February raised the violation of tender norms with the authorities. This was followed up with meetings with CRPF officials. But at the end of March, SSS Defence received a notice that their bid was rejected during the technical evaluation stage of the bid, without any reasoning given.
Subsequently, SSS Defence approached Delhi High Court, which in an order dated 8 April, quashed rejection of its bid, while CRPF submitted to the court that it would hold a retrial for procurement of 200 sniper rifles.
SSS Defence is a Bengaluru based small arms manufacturer which last year bagged and fulfilled a contract for the export of .338 Lapua Magnum calibre sniper rifle to a friendly foreign country.
It was the first time an Indian manufacturer exported sniper rifles to a foreign country.
Last year, the CEO of the Bengaluru-based small arms manufacturer in a rare instance, spoke out against the Indian Army’s fresh order for 73,000 SIG 716 G2 rifles from the US.
Procurement process in a nutshell
The original tender was floated in September 2024, with a clear requirement for 200 sniper rifles, along with a day scope and 20,000 rounds of the .338 Lapua Magnum ball/lock base ammunition.
In December 2024, SSS Defence submitted two rifles along with ammunition as samples to the CRPF. Field trials were scheduled for January 2025, in Pune. But the tests were inconclusive, which led to a second set of field trials organised for February 2025.
The second field trials were held in Gurugram at the end of February, following which SSS Defence noticed discrepancies in ammunition used by the other bidders. Despite raising it with the authorities at the end of March, it was rejected by CRPF during the technical evaluation stage.
On 8 April, the Delhi High Court ordered the quashing of the rejection and ruled that the process would be held again and completed within 45 days.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
CRPF to hold fresh trials for procurement of 200 sniper rifles after intervention by Delhi HC
SSS Defence, one of three bidders, challenged process in HC over competitors’ use of ammo different from tender requirement. Other bidders were Adani’s PLR and MEIL’s ICOMM.
By Keshav Padmanabhan
21 April 2025 06:32 pm IST
File photo of sniper rifle designed by Bengaluru-based SSS Defence | ANI
New Delhi: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is set to conduct a retrial for the procurement of 200 sniper rifles and 20,000 ammunition following intervention of the Delhi High Court, ThePrint has learnt.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said Indian small arms manufacturer SSS Defence challenged the tendering process in court after two other competitors used superior ammunition than the one specified by the CRPF. According to the petition filed by SSS Defence, CRPF had issued a tender for procurement of 200 sniper rifles, along with 20,000 numbers of .338 Lapua Magnum ball/lock base ammunition.
While SSS Defence cleared the 100-metre, 800-metre and 1,000-metre field trials, it failed in the 400-metre.
It was then revealed that while SSS Defence used ammunition specified by CRPF, its two competitors used Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT) ammunition—which provides more stability and better accuracy—in the field trials.
Use of HPBT rounds provided the other two bidders, PLR Systems (a joint venture between Adani Group and Israel Weapon Industries) and ICOMM (a MEIL group company in collaboration with CARACAL from UAE), an unfair advantage, argued SSS Defence before the Delhi High Court.
On 8 April, the high court interim order noted that CRPF offered to hold a retrial as per the requirements of the tender, and quashed SSS Defence’s disqualification from the process. The three bidders for the contract had all failed various parts of the two field trials held in January and February of this year, however, SSS Defence was the only bidder to be disqualified.
The first field trial held in Pune in January, saw the SSS Defence sniper rifle clear the 400-metre test, while PLR failed. However, given that the trial was inconclusive, it was decided to hold a second field trial in February.
It was after the second trials were concluded, that SSS Defence noticed the difference in the ammunition used by the two other bidders and at the end of February raised the violation of tender norms with the authorities. This was followed up with meetings with CRPF officials. But at the end of March, SSS Defence received a notice that their bid was rejected during the technical evaluation stage of the bid, without any reasoning given.
Subsequently, SSS Defence approached Delhi High Court, which in an order dated 8 April, quashed rejection of its bid, while CRPF submitted to the court that it would hold a retrial for procurement of 200 sniper rifles.
SSS Defence is a Bengaluru based small arms manufacturer which last year bagged and fulfilled a contract for the export of .338 Lapua Magnum calibre sniper rifle to a friendly foreign country.
It was the first time an Indian manufacturer exported sniper rifles to a foreign country.
Last year, the CEO of the Bengaluru-based small arms manufacturer in a rare instance, spoke out against the Indian Army’s fresh order for 73,000 SIG 716 G2 rifles from the US.
Procurement process in a nutshell
The original tender was floated in September 2024, with a clear requirement for 200 sniper rifles, along with a day scope and 20,000 rounds of the .338 Lapua Magnum ball/lock base ammunition.
In December 2024, SSS Defence submitted two rifles along with ammunition as samples to the CRPF. Field trials were scheduled for January 2025, in Pune. But the tests were inconclusive, which led to a second set of field trials organised for February 2025.
The second field trials were held in Gurugram at the end of February, following which SSS Defence noticed discrepancies in ammunition used by the other bidders. Despite raising it with the authorities at the end of March, it was rejected by CRPF during the technical evaluation stage.
On 8 April, the Delhi High Court ordered the quashing of the rejection and ruled that the process would be held again and completed within 45 days.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
CRPF to hold fresh trials for procurement of 200 sniper rifles after intervention by Delhi HC