Context
Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched Ugram, a state-of-the-art assault rifle of the 7.62 x 51 mm calibre.
About
- It was unveiled at the hands of Dr Shailendra V Gade, Director General, Armament and Combat Engineering Systems of the DRDO in Pune.
About Ugram
- The first operational prototype of the rifle, which has been named Ugram, which means ferocious.
- It has been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured in collaboration with (DRDO’s Pune-based facility Armament Research and Development Establishments (ARDE) in collaboration with Hyderabad-based Dvipa Armour India Private Limited) a private industry partner.
- The assault rifle has been designed for the operational requirements of armed forces, paramilitary and state police entities.
- It was developed based on the General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs) issued by the Indian Army for assault rifles in the recent past.
- Range and weight: The rifle has an effective range of 500 metres and weighs less than four kilograms.
- It was developed within the 100 days.
- The rifle has a 20 round magazine and fires in both single and full auto mode.
- The configuration of the rifle is comparable to the latest AK and AR type rifles and it has a rivet-free design, making it robust.
- The scope of the project is huge in the current security scenario because of a shortfall in assault rifles in the force.
- The import of AK-203 rifles has been affected owing to the owing to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine