INSAS

The INSAS (an abbreviation of INdian Small Arms System) is a family of infantry arms consisting of an assault rifle and a light machine gun. It is manufactured by the Ordnance Factories Board at Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli, the Small Arms Factory Kanpur, and the Ishapore Arsenal. The INSAS assault rifle is the standard infantry weapon of the Indian Armed Forces. Starting in the late 1950s, the Indian armed forces had been equipped with a locally produced unlicensed copy of the L1A1 self-loading rifle. In the mid-1980s, the decision was made to begin development of a 5.56mm caliber rifle to replace the now-obsolete L1A1 rifles. Trials on various prototypes based on the AKM were carried out by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune. Upon completion of the trials, the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) was adopted in 1990. Originally, three weapons were planned as part of the INSAS system: a rifle, a carbine, and a squad automatic weapon (SAW) or Light machine gun (LMG). In 1997, the rifle and the LMG went into mass production. In 1998, the first INSAS rifles were displayed at the Republic Day parade. The introduction of the rifle into service was delayed due to the lack of 5.56×45mm ammunition. To remedy the ammo shortage, large quantities of 5.56mm were purchased from Israel Military Industries.