Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System

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]

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 range500 meters[1]
Feed system30-round detachable box magazines
SightsIron sights, various day and night optical sight

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In October 2017, the MCIWS procurement was superseded by an Army process to acquire around 7 lakh 7.62mm calibre rifles.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 SIG716 G2 Patrol rifles of 7.62x51mm calibre.[10] This was followed by a second order for a similar number of rifles in July 2020.[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][13] However, no contract has been signed or rifles produced because of pricing disagreements.[14] The factory is unlikely to begin production in 2020.[15]

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.[16]

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.[16][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]

See also

References
  1. MCIWS specifications
  2. "DRDO multi-calibre guns undergoing trials - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2012-12-29. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  3. Johnson, Steve (2014-02-18). "India's Prototype MCIWS Rifle In Detail". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  4. "DRDO multi-calibre guns undergoing trials - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2012-12-28. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  5. "ARDE designs multiple-calibre rifle, begins prototyping | Sakal Times". Sakaaltimes.com. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  6. "Saurav Jha's Blog : A new year for DRDO". Ibnlive.in.com. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  7. "Multi-Calibre Assault Rifle: Made in India vs Make in India". Indiandefencereview.com. Retrieved 2015-09-13.
  8. PDF file of Indian defence review, 2015
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20180921114913/https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/newsletter/2018/Sep_18.pdf
  10. "India signs contract for 72,400 assault rifles with US firm". ThePrint. 12 February 2019.
  11. "BREAKING: Indian Army Orders More 716i Rifles from SIG Sauer". thefirearmblog.com. 18 July 2020.
  12. "AK-203 Production Kicks-off in India". Rostec State Corporation. 4 March 2019.
  13. "Russian National Guard modernizes firearm, vehicle and boat inventory". www.armyrecognition.com. 15 March 2019.
  14. "Indo-Russian joint venture for Amethi rifles factory hits hurdle". The Economic Times. 6 February 2020.
  15. "Amethi AK-203 factory unlikely to start operations in 2020". The Economic Times. 4 June 2020.
  16. "The Assault Rifles Of The Near Future (Updated)". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
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