Around 10 Indian domestic vendors including of Punj Llyod, Adani Defence, ICOMM, Jindal Aerospace, Reliance Group’s Jai Armaments, and Kanpur based Small Arms factory have submitted their technical and commercial bids in response to Indian Army’s tender for 5,000 Nos. of 9×19 mm Machine Pistols.
The tender worth US $6 Million are being acquired as an ‘emergency procurement’ via the Fast Track Procedure (FTP).
These machine pistols are basically being procured for the Infantry battalion Ghatak Commando Platoons and to a limited extent also for tank, artillery, and helicopter crews. The deliveries slated to be completed within 3-12 months from date of the deal being signed.
It has been reported that the majority of the 10 domestic manufacturers who responded to the tender have collaborative agreements / tie-ups with global small arms Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
However, the pistols would be required to include an indigenous 60% content, which in the eventuality of them being locally designed, would reduce to 50%.
Some of the Tie-Ups – While Punj Lloyd Rave (PLR)/Adani Defence have a collaborative agreement with Israel Weapon Industries, ICOMM of Hyderabad has a tie-up with UAE’s Caracal and Jindal Defence and Aerospace has entered into a joint venture with Brazil’s Taurus Armas. Besides, Small Arms Factory in Kanpur has a collaboration with Switzerland’s B&T AG.
Required Specifications: The Request for Proposal RFP) issued in December 2022 envisages the requirement of pistols having a length of 650 mm in extended condition, to weigh no more than 2.5 kg and be able to fire in-service, locally-sourced ammunition, at the rate of 600 rounds per minute to an effective range of 100 m.
Required to operate in temperatures varying between -20°C and 45°C without degradation in performance, the pistol was expected to have a service life of 10 years, or 10,000 rounds.
Besides, these pistols are to be mounted with Picatinny Rails to affix sights and other ancillaries.
