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Indian Army Receives First Domestically Built Sub-Machine Gun
The Indian Army has taken delivery of the country’s first indigenously developed sub-machine guns, ASMI. Designed, developed, and manufactured within a short span of three years, ASMI stands as a major milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence production.
ASMI Outperforms International Competitors
ASMI, short for “Asmita,” meaning pride in Sanskrit, has proven its superiority by outperforming well-known international counterparts such as the Uzi from Israel Weapon Industries and the MP5 from Germany’s Heckler & Koch. The gun’s enhanced accuracy and reliability make it a preferred choice for the Indian Army.
Lightweight Design and Cost-Effectiveness
Weighing under 2.4 kg, ASMI is 10-15% lighter than its global competitors, providing better mobility and ease of use in combat situations. Despite its modern design incorporating aluminium and carbon fiber, the gun remains highly cost-effective with a price tag of under Rs 1 lakh, nearly 30% cheaper than imported alternatives.
Hyderabad-Based Lokesh Machines Delivers First Batch to Indian Army
The development and manufacturing of ASMI were undertaken by Hyderabad-based Lokesh Machines Limited, which recently delivered 550 units of the 9×19 mm sub-machine gun to the Northern Command of the Indian Army. The company secured this order, valued at Rs 4.26 crore, in mid-June.
Broader Deployment Across Security Forces
The sub-machine gun was built based on the basic design provided by the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) Pune and the Indian Army. Apart from the Indian Army, the National Security Guard (NSG), Assam Rifles, and the Border Security Force (BSF) have also received pilot lots of ASMI and expressed interest in deploying it further.
ASMI’s entry into the Indian defence forces marks a significant achievement in indigenizing high-performance weapon systems and reducing dependence on foreign imports. The successful integration of ASMI is expected to pave the way for more advanced and indigenous defence products in the future, reinforcing India’s position as a growing defence manufacturing hub.
