| INSAS rifle | |
|---|---|
 INSAS rifle in Indian army | |
| Type | Assault rifle Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1998–present |
| Used by | SeeOperators |
| Wars | Kargil War[1] Nepalese Civil War[2] Naxalite–Maoist insurgency[3] Insurgency in Northeast India[4] Operation All Clear Myanmar Civil War[5] |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1980s–1997 |
| Manufacturer | Armament Research and Development Establishment Ordnance Factories Board |
| Produced | 1994[6]–present |
| No. built | 100,000 (Assault Rifles) and 6,000 (LMG) (2012)[7] 700,000–900,000 (2019)[8] |
| Variants | SeeVariants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.018 kg (8.86 lb) (without magazine)[9] 6.23 kg (13.7 lb) (LMG) |
| Length | 960 mm (37.8 in)[9] 1,050 mm (41 in) (LMG) |
| Barrel length | 464 mm (18.3 in) 535 mm (21.1 in) (LMG) |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO[9] |
| Action | Gas-operated,Rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | singles, 3 round burst 600–650 rounds/min[9] (LMG) |
| Muzzle velocity | 915 m/s (3,002 ft/s)[10] |
| Effective firing range | 400m (INSAS Rifle) 600 m: Point targets (INSAS LMG) 700 m: Area target (INSAS LMG)[9] |
| Feed system | 20- or 30-round detachablebox magazine |
| Sights | In-builtiron sights, mount point for telescopic or night sight |
TheINSAS,[11] orIndian Small Arms System,[12] is a family of infantry arms consisting of anassault rifle and alight machine gun (LMG). These weapons were developed inIndia by theArmament Research and Development Establishment and manufactured by theOrdnance Factories Board at its various factories.[13] It was the standard infantry weapon of theIndian Armed Forces for almost three decades.[1][14]
The development of the INSAS began in the mid-1980s, when the Indian Army released a general staff qualitative requirement for a new assault rifle to replace locally produced licensed copies[15] of theL1A1 self-loading rifles,[14] which the Army was using since 1961.[10] The new assault rifle was to chamber it in5.56×45mm NATO, unlike the L1A1 SLR rifle which is chambered in7.62×51mm NATO.[10]
After studying a number of designs, theArmament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) inPune undertook the task to design and develop India's first assault rifle. The development and user trials of the new rifle – INSAS was completed by 1989 and entered into service in 1990.[16][10]
Originally, three variants were planned in the INSAS system, arifle, acarbine and asquad automatic weapon (SAW) orLight machine gun (LMG). In 1997, the rifle and the LMG went into mass production.[14] In 1998, the first INSAS rifles were displayed at therepublic day parade.[1] The introduction of the rifle was delayed due to the lack of adequate 5.56×45mm ammunition, large quantities of the same were bought fromIsrael Military Industries.[14]
The first combat use of the rifle was during theKargil War in 1999.[1][14]
The INSAS rifle saw limited use in the Indian Army's counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir,[17] but was extensively used by Central Armed Police Forces in combating Maoist insurgency.[18]
The INSAS assault rifles are being replaced in the army with theAK-203 assault rifles[19] and theSIG 716idesignated marksman rifles.[20] The LMG variant is being replaced with theIWI Negev.[21]
However, these rifles will remain in service with the police and other paramilitary forces and are being used as a replacement for the decades old bolt actionIshapore 2A1 rifles.[22]
The INSAS is primarily based on the AKM but incorporates features from other rifles. It has a chrome-plated bore. The barrel has a six-grooverifling. The basic gas operatedlong stroke piston and therotating bolt are similar to theAKM/AK-47.[14]
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It has a manual gas regulator, similar to that ofFN FAL, and a gas cutoff for launching grenades. Thecharging handle is on the left instead of on the bolt carrier, similar in operation to theHK33.[14] The fire selector is placed on the left side of thereceiver above the pistol grip, it can be set to semi–auto, three round burst and full auto. To set it to safe, the selector has to be rotated all the way up, which will block the sear and prevent the rifle from firing.[10] It has three modes of fire – semi-automatic, three-roundburst and full automatic modes.[10]
The cyclic rate averages at 650 rpm. The rearsight lies on one end of thebreech cover and is calibrated to 400 meters.
The furniture is either made of wood or polymer.[14] The polymerbutt and forend assemblies differ from the AKM and are more similar to that ofIMI Galil. Some variants have a folding butt. Abayonet can also be attached to it.[16]
The guns take 20- or 30-round magazines; they are made like theSteyr AUG and are made out of polymer.[10] The 30-round magazine is made for the LMG version, but can be also used in the rifle. The flash suppressor also accepts NATO-specificationrifle grenades.[14]
In 2023, it was reported that Star Aerospace has offered parts for modernizing INSAS rifles, which are approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.[23] Among the upgrades included by SA consist of picatinny rails for sights and attachments, folding stock and rubber fore and pistol grips.[24]
The INSAS assault rifle was battle tested in the 1999Kargil War. The three month long war was fought in the high altitudes of theHimalayas,[25] where temperature would go as low as –20 degrees Celsius.[26]
During the conflict, the rifle encountered some problems such as occasional often serious stoppage, cracking of polymer magazine due to the cold weather and some other reliability issues such as firing in full auto when set for 3 shot burst.[25][1] Similar complaints were also received from theNepalese Army.[1] In the Kargil war, neither the INSAS proved reliable nor the Army was satisfied with the new rifle.[citation needed]
The Indian Army, which was used to the7.62×51mm NATO round for almost three decades, was dissatisfied with the stopping power of5.56×45mm NATO rounds.[1]
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The AR variant can be fired in single round or three-round burst mode.[27] A telescopic sight or a passive night sight can be mounted on it. It can take NATO-standard5.56×45mm SS109 and M193 ammunition. It comes with a bayonet. It has a mount point for theARDE Under Barrel Grenade Launcher,[28] along with a gas-block for launching grenades and grenade iron-sights.
The flash suppressor has ablank-firing adaptor.[9] It also has a foldable butt version.[29]
It is being replaced in Indian service by theAK-203.[13]
The AR has four subvariants:[30]
The LMG (Light Machine Gun) differs from the standard rifle in possessing a longer range of 700 m, as compared to 400 m range for their assault rifle counterparts. It has a longer and heavier barrel with revised rifling and bipod. The LMG version uses 30-round magazines and can also accept the 20-round INSAS AR magazine. This model fires in semi and full-auto.[32] It also has a foldable-butt version.[33]
The LMG will be replaced with theIWI Negev Ng7.[34]
The Kalantak micro-assault rifle, with a range of 300 m, is for close combat and personnel defence weapon roles.[35]
Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Bansod, of Army SchoolMhowreverse-engineered an INSAS rifle to produce abullpupcarbine variant.[36] Lt. Col. Bansod caught the attention of high-ranking Indian Army officers when he made the rifle in 2019.[37]
He reportedly did this in his spare time. The rifle was only made as a prototype example.
Bhutan: Used by theRoyal Bhutan Army.[38]
Eswatini[39]
India: Assault rifle and LMG variants in use.[1]
Nepal: TheNepalese Army had received about 26,000 rifles since 2001,[46] supplied at a 70% subsidy by India.[2] As of July 20, 2020, the Nepali Army transferred 600 INSAS rifles to the Nepali Armed Police Force.[47]
Oman: In 2010, theRoyal Army of Oman started using the INSAS rifles sent to them as per a defence agreement signed in 2003 between India and Oman.[48]
Myanmar People's Defence Force: 1B1 variant.[5]{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)