In a significant move towards self-reliance, the Northern Command of the Indian Army has ordered 550 indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured ASMI submachine guns worth Rs 4.26 crores from Hyderabad-based Lokesh Machine Limited. This marks the first time an indigenously designed and manufactured weapon has been inducted into the Indian Army.
Features of the ASMI Submachine Gun
- Meaning: ASMI stands for “Asmita,” which translates to “pride” in English.
- Design: Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, in collaboration with the Indian Army.
- Manufacturer: Lokesh Machine Limited, a CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) machine maker, manufactures the ASMI at its Toorpan factory in the Medak district of Telangana using aerospace-grade aluminium.
Specifications:
- Single unibody 9×19 mm caliber submachine gun
- Weighs under 2.4 kg, making it 10-15% lighter than international competitors like the Uzi and Heckler & Koch’s MP5
- Magazine capacity of 32 rounds
- Firing rate of 800 rounds per minute
Selection Over Global Competitors
The ASMI submachine gun has been selected by the Indian Army over renowned international firearms like the Uzi from Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) and the MP5 from German manufacturer Heckler & Koch.
Potential Buyers and Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat
After successfully delivering the submachine gun to the Indian Army, Lokesh Machine Limited has also submitted guns to the National Security Guards (NSG), Assam Rifles, and Border Security Force (BSF) for testing. If these forces accept the ASMI, it will be a significant boost to the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) campaign and the indigenization program of the armed forces’ weapons systems.