SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army’s Army Design Bureau (ADB), established in 2016 as a catalyst for indigenous defense innovation, is rapidly evolving into a powerhouse of technological advancement, driving the development of cutting-edge military equipment to enhance self-reliance under India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. Bolstered by the success of the ASMI 9mm submachine gun, designed by a serving soldier, the ADB is now expanding its ambit to develop advanced assault rifles tailored for the Indian Army.
By harnessing the expertise of uniformed engineers and innovators, collaborating with industry and academia, and facilitating Transfer of Technology (ToT) to local production partners, the ADB aims to localize critical defense technologies and enable mass-scale production.
The ADB, modeled after the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, serves as a bridge between the Indian Army, industry, academia, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and startups. As of January 2024, the ADB is steering approximately 350 design, development, and R&D projects worth ?1.8 lakh crore, involving 450 industries, including DRDO, to achieve near-100% indigenous procurement. Its mandate includes technology scanning, identifying acquisition and development needs, and fostering innovation to meet operational requirements, particularly in high-altitude and counter-insurgency environments like Jammu and Kashmir.
The ADB’s collaborative approach has yielded significant innovations, showcased at events like ‘Inno Yodha 2023.’ Notable projects include:
- Multipurpose Octocopter: Developed by Havildar Varinder Singh, this drone with a 25 kg payload capacity in high-altitude areas conducts surveillance, delivers supplies, and features a platform for firing assault rifles and deploying grenades. It earned Singh the Vishisht Seva Medal.
- Xploder Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV): Designed by Major Rajprasad, this UGV for counter-IED operations can conduct reconnaissance, deliver explosives, and dispose of threats remotely. It is set for mass production following trials.
- Agniastra: A multi-target portable detonation system for remote operations, transferred to private industry for large-scale production.
- Vidyut Rakshak: An IoT-based generator monitoring system by Major Rajprasad, enhancing operational efficiency across Army generators.
- Military Objects Detection System: An AI-based tool for real-time detection and classification of military objects in satellite imagery, boosting ISR capabilities.
These innovations, with 25 receiving Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and 37 inducted into service by April 2025, highlight the ADB’s role in fostering practical, combat-ready solutions.
The ASMI 9mm submachine gun, inducted into the Indian Army on October 1, 2024, exemplifies the ADB’s vision of leveraging in-house talent. Designed by Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Bansod, dubbed India’s “Colonel Kalashnikov,” the ASMI (Sanskrit for “pride”) is the first indigenous firearm ordered in large scale since the INSAS rifle. Developed with DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and manufactured by Hyderabad-based Lokesh Machines Limited, the Army ordered 550 units at ?4.26 crore ($550,000).
Chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge, the ASMI’s compact design, advanced materials (aluminum upper receiver, carbon fiber lower), and modularity (Picatinny rails, M-LOK slots) make it ideal for close-quarters combat, serving tank crews, special forces, and personnel in confined spaces. Priced at one-third of imported alternatives (?50,000 per unit), it offers logistical simplicity and export potential to forces like the Border Security Force (BSF) and Assam Rifles. Bansod’s journey, from an arts background to leading a world-class weapon design, underscores the potential of uniformed innovators within the ADB.
Building on ASMI’s success, the ADB is now prioritizing the development of indigenous assault rifles to replace aging INSAS rifles and complement systems like the AK-203, whose production has faced delays. The Indian Army’s requirement for 7.62x51mm and 5.56x45mm rifles, suitable for diverse terrains from deserts to high-altitude regions, drives this initiative. The ADB aims to create rifles with enhanced ergonomics, modularity (e.g., Picatinny rails for optics), and compatibility with under-barrel grenade launchers, drawing inspiration from platforms like Kalyani Strategic Systems’ (KSSL) 7.62x39mm assault rifle, which features tritium sights for low-light conditions.
The ADB’s approach involves:
- Uniformed Innovators: Encouraging soldiers and officers with engineering expertise, like Bansod, to lead design efforts. The ADB plans to integrate more “thinking warriors” into its ranks, leveraging their battlefield experience to create user-centric solutions.
- Collaborative Ecosystem: Partnering with private firms, startups, and academic institutions, such as IIT Delhi’s Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer, to develop ruggedized, military-grade rifles.
- Technology Focus: Incorporating advanced materials (e.g., carbon fiber), AI-driven fire control systems, and modular designs to enhance lethality and adaptability.
The ADB’s strategy emphasizes ToT to local production partners to enable mass-scale production, reducing import dependency and fostering economic growth. The ASMI model, where Lokesh Machines scaled production post-trials, serves as a blueprint. Potential partners for assault rifle production include private players like KSSL, Adani Defence (collaborating with Israel’s IWI), and Jindal Group (tied with Taurus Armas), alongside DPSUs like the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
The ADB’s Regional Technology Nodes (RTNs) in Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad facilitate industry connect, ensuring seamless ToT and production. For instance, Pune’s RTN collaborates with Bharat Forge and Larsen & Toubro, while Hyderabad’s node could support rifle manufacturing alongside missile projects like Akash-1S.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.