New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) The Defence Research and Development Organisation, in association with the Army, has developed the country’s first indigenous machine pistol ASMI.The pistol will replace the 9mm pistols in the defence forces.
“The machine pistol can fire at a range of 100 metres and is in the class of the Uzi series guns of Israel. The prototype has fired over 300 rounds in the last four months of its development,” DRDO said in statement.
The weapon is named ASMI, meaning pride, self-respect and hard work. The weapon has huge potential in Armed forces as personal weapon for heavy weapon detachments, commanders, tank and aircraft crews, drivers/dispatch riders, radio/radar operators, Closed Quarter Battle, counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations etc.
This is also likely to find huge employability with the central and state police organizations as well as VIP protection duties and Policing. The Machine Pistol is likely to have production cost under Rs 50000 each and has potential for exports.
“Keeping Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmnirbhar Bharat in view, this small step will pave way for self reliance and it is expected that the Services and Paramilitary Forces (PMFs) will induct this expeditiously,” said the defence ministry.
