The DRDO has introduced the Ugram Assault Rifle, showcasing India’s strides in defense self-reliance. This advanced weapon promises increased firepower and maneuverability for the armed forces, paramilitary units, and state police—a game-changer in bolstering India’s defense capabilities.
The Ugram Assault Rifle, aptly named “ferocious” in Hindi, signifies a milestone in India’s defense capabilities. Developed by DRDO in collaboration with Dvipa Armour India, its 7.62 x 51 mm caliber ensures precision with an impressive 500-meter effective range. Weighing under four kilograms, the rifle prioritizes agility and comfort, vital in challenging terrains.
Unveiled by Dr. Shailendra V Gade, Director General of Armament and Combat Engineering Systems, this indigenous weapon caters to the operational needs of armed forces, paramilitary units, and state police. The collaboration showcases a successful synergy between public and private sectors, highlighting India’s stride towards self-reliance in defense technology. The Ugram Assault Rifle stands as a testament to innovation, combining firepower, maneuverability, and indigenous design to bolster the nation’s security forces.
The Ugram Assault Rifle: Standing Out with Impressive Features
Ergonomic Brilliance: With a focus on user comfort, the Ugram Assault Rifle’s ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip and an adjustable stock, promoting a natural and stable firing position. This not only enhances accuracy but also reduces fatigue during extended use.
Modular Adaptability: The Ugram stands out for its modular construction, allowing quick and effortless attachment of accessories such as Picatinny rails, sights, and lasers. This adaptability empowers users to customize the rifle to meet specific needs and mission requirements.
Reliable in Every Condition: Engineered to withstand harsh environments and demanding operational conditions, the Ugram Assault Rifle excels in reliability. Its robust construction and use of corrosion-resistant materials ensure consistent performance, even in extreme weather and challenging terrains.
Precision Engineering at its Core: Crafted by ARDE scientists, the Ugram features a 20-round magazine, offering versatility with both single and full-auto firing modes. Its configuration aligns seamlessly with the latest AK and AR type rifles, showcasing a rivet-free design for heightened robustness.
Military-Grade Standards: Aligned with the General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs) of the Indian Army, the Ugram Assault Rifle is a pinnacle of precision engineering. Combining modern features with a rugged design, it sets the bar high for adaptability and reliability in various operational scenarios.
A Move Towards a Self-Reliant India
The Ugram Assault Rifle marks a big step for India’s defense production. Before, the Indian Army mostly used rifles from other countries, causing worries about supply chain issues and relying too much on others. But with the Ugram, there’s a change. India is now making its own weapons, reducing the need for foreign ones and making the country stronger in defense.
The teamwork between DRDO and a private company, Dvipa Armour India Private Limited, from Hyderabad, shows how private companies are becoming more important in India’s defense. This way of working together has a lot of potential to make better military technology in India.
Ugram Assault Rifle: From Design to Tests ahead
With a commitment to advancing technology for the Indian forces, DRDO is actively engaged in continuous research and development. The current focus is on thorough testing and refinement of the Ugram Assault Rifle before progressing to large-scale production and deployment.
Director Ankathi Raju, discussing the Ugram assault rifle, highlighted its initiation as a mission mode project two years ago. After the design phase by ARDE, collaboration with a private industry partner under the Development cum Production Partner (DCPP) concept ensured speedy progress. The rifle is set for acceptance trials after manufacturing by Hyderabad-based Dvipa Armour.
Underlining the importance of Mission Mode Projects at DRDO, Director Raju explained that these are targeted, time-bound developments aiming to achieve specific defense and technology goals.
Director Raju explained, “During the trial, we’ll shoot rounds from the Ugram without stopping and check if it’s accurate and consistent. The gun will be tested in different weather and places, like high up in the mountains and in deserts. A group of Army officers will watch over the acceptance process. If there are any problems, we’ll fix them quickly, and the trials will be done again. Before these trials, we also do our own tests at our small arms testing place. We started designing the gun two years ago, and we finished working with the private company on it in just 100 days.”
Ugram Assault Rifle: Dvipa Armour India’s Rapid Development Success
G Ram Chaitanya Reddy, Director of Dvipa Armour India, shared, “India needs more assault rifles. Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the AK-203 project hasn’t started, and PLR is supplying weapons to Israel Weapon Industries due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This created an opportunity. Three months ago, in October 2023, we got the order. Successfully, we provided five prototypes. We believe this is the fastest weapon development globally. After testing the prototypes, we’ll do more tests, providing 15 units to ARDE. Then, the process for further approvals will start.”
