Multi Calibre Individual Weapon System
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originIndia
Production history
Designed2015–present
ManufacturerArmament Research and Development Establishment
Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
No. built6 Preproduction prototypes
Specifications
Mass3.5 kg (7.7 lb) (empty)
4 kg (8.8 lb) (loaded with magazine)
Length910 mm (36 in) (including butt)
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
7.62×39mm
6.8mm Remington SPC
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire600-650 rpm
Muzzle velocity715–890 m/s (2,350–2,920 ft/s)
Effective firing range700 meters[1]
Feed system30-round detachable box magazines
SightsIron sights, various day and night optical sight

Multi Calibre Individual Weapon System (MCIWS) is an assault rifle developed in India by the Armament Research and Development Establishment, a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.[2] It was first seen at the DEFEXPO 2014 exhibition.[3]

As of 2015, the rifle is also known as the Advanced Automatic Rifle (AAR) and also as the F-INSAS rifle.

History

The Indian Army chose an indigenous assault rifle to replace the INSAS rifle currently in service. The decision, which could save money in foreign exchange and boost local manufacture, was made by the former Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh Suhag. Several rifles are currently undergoing small arms trials with three prototype rifles made for testing as a future replacement to the INSAS rifle.[4][5][6]

The MCIWS has also found interest with the Indian paramilitary forces including the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Sashastra Seema Bal.[7][8]

According to a DRDO September 18, 2018 newsletter, the MCIWS is now ready for serial production.[9]

In October 2017, the MCIWS procurement was superseded by an Army process to acquire around 7 lakh 7.62mm calibre rifles.

In February 2019, the Indian Army signed a deal with SIG Sauer for the supply of 72,400 SIG716i rifles of 7.62x51mm calibre.[10] This was followed by a second order for another 70,000 rifles in December 2023.[11]

On 3 March 2019, Russia and India inaugurated Indo-Russia Rifles in Uttar Pradesh, India to produce 7.62x39mm AK-203 assault rifles as a replacement for the INSAS.[12] However, no contract has been signed or rifles produced because of pricing disagreements.[13] The factory is unlikely to begin production in 2020.[14]

Design

The MCIWS is configured to fire in 5.56×45mm NATO, 7.62×39mm and in 6.8mm Remington SPC.[3] Its design is influenced by both the AR-15 and the FN FNC.[3] The barrel assembly appears to be based on the AK-47.[15]

The design would allow soldiers to configure it according to the needs of the missions by changing rifle barrels.[5] The MCIWS uses a gas-operated short stroke piston design, and uses 30-round plastic-type magazines.[15][6] The rifle also has ambidextrous features, such as the charging lever and magazine release.[6] The MCIWS includes an indigenous under barrel grenade launcher to fire airburst-type grenades which can take out targets up to 500 meters.[3] Various sights can be mounted on the Picatinny rail on the upper receiver.[6]

The rifle is of aluminium alloy and features a modular, rivet-less design.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System (MCIWS)". Archived from the original on 2021-06-28. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  2. ↑ "DRDO multi-calibre guns undergoing trials - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2012-12-29. Archived from the original on 2017-09-26. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Johnson, Steve (2014-02-18). "India's Prototype MCIWS Rifle In Detail". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  4. ↑ "DRDO multi-calibre guns undergoing trials - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2012-12-28. Archived from the original on 2017-09-26. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  5. 1 2 "ARDE designs multiple-calibre rifle, begins prototyping | Sakal Times". Sakaaltimes.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-18. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Saurav Jha's Blog : A new year for DRDO". Ibnlive.in.com. 2014-02-04. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  7. 1 2 "Multi-Calibre Assault Rifle: Made in India vs Make in India". Indiandefencereview.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-24. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  8. ↑ "PDF file of Indian defence review, 2015" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-05-16. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  9. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.drdo.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ↑ "India signs contract for 72,400 assault rifles with US firm". ThePrint. 12 February 2019. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  11. ↑ "Defence Ministry clears 70,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles for Indian Army". The Times of India. 2023-12-12. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  12. ↑ "AK-203 Production Kicks-off in India". Rostec State Corporation. 4 March 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  13. ↑ "Indo-Russian joint venture for Amethi rifles factory hits hurdle". The Economic Times. 6 February 2020. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  14. ↑ "Amethi AK-203 factory unlikely to start operations in 2020". The Economic Times. 4 June 2020. Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  15. 1 2 "The Assault Rifles Of The Near Future (Updated)". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2014-03-01. Archived from the original on 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
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