SOURCE: AFI
On May 9, 2025, the Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT), a unit of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) under the Ministry of Defence, handed over the first batch of 92 units of the 7.62x39mm TriCa carbines to the Kerala Police. The ceremonial handover was led by Shri Sanjay Shrivastava, IOFS, psc, Executive Director, OFT, accompanied by Shri V. Gunasekaran, IOFS, and Shri Se. Krishnaswamy, IOFS, General Managers at OFT.
The TriCa, an indigenous compact weapon system developed for close-quarter battle (CQB) scenarios, is based on the widely used 7.62x39mm cartridge, ensuring firepower, reliability, and ease of maintenance. Designed for urban combat, counter-insurgency operations, and law enforcement duties, the TriCa offers modularity and superior handling in tight environments, making it a significant upgrade to conventional carbines in police service.
This marks a major milestone in AWEIL’s efforts to expand the deployment of modern small arms to domestic security forces. The Kerala Police, known for its emphasis on modernizing force equipment and training, becomes one of the first state law enforcement agencies to induct the TriCa, signaling confidence in the weapon’s performance and indigenous design.
The procurement also aligns with the Government of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative, pushing for the use of domestically designed and manufactured defense equipment in both military and civil security applications.
The development of the TriCa demonstrates OFT’s ongoing transformation from a traditional ordnance manufacturer into a modern weapons design and production unit under AWEIL. With increased involvement from Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS) officers in modernization programs, OFT has focused on delivering compact, reliable, and versatile solutions for the Indian security ecosystem.
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