The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

For decades after Independence, the Indian Armed Forces remained devoid of state-of-the-art small arms because the governmental defence industry or rather the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was incompetent to meet the requirements. When the IPKF was sent to Sri Lanka, the Indian Army was equipped with the unwieldy 7.62mm semi-automatic rifles while the LTTE was equipped with AK-47 and M-16 rifles. Subsequently, India imported top of the line 5.56 assault rifles from 11 countries, which were given to the DRDO. Ironically, the DRDO took 15 years to produce the 5.56 INSAS rifle which was nowhere close to the top 10 models then available off the shelf.

However, things have begun to change with opening up of the defence sector to the private players. In June 2024, Northern Command has signed a deal with the Hyderabad-based Lokesh Machines Limited for supply of the 'ASMI' 9x19mm Submachine Guns (SMGs) developed by the company. The contract is valued at ₹4.26 crore. This marks the first instance of a domestic private manufacturer successfully securing an order from the Indian Army for a 100 per cent indigenously designed and manufactured small arm.

In June 2024, Northern Command has signed a deal with the Hyderabad-based Lokesh Machines Limited for supply of the 'ASMI' 9x19mm Submachine Guns (SMGs) developed by the company

The Indian Army has inducted 550 'Asmi' (short for Asmita) sub-machine gun (SMG), designed by Colonel Prasad Bansod of the Indian Army, developed in collaboration with the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) under the DRDO and manufactured by 'Lokesh Machine' in Hyderabad, this 100 per cent Made-in-India weapon represents the first private-public partnership in the small arms segment to achieve such success. It also marks a significant milestone towards enhancing India's self-reliance in defence.

The 'Asmi' machine pistol, designed for close-quarter combat and specialised military operations, is compact, robust, and highly reliable. It has demonstrated superior accuracy and reliability, outperforming renowned international competitors such as Israel's 'Uzi' and Germany's Heckler & Koch firearms. The ASMI's design incorporates advanced materials and techniques, featuring a single unibody receiver machined from aerospace-grade aluminium, making it lightweight at under 2.4 kg. It is compatible with both local and NATO-standard ammunition, offering versatility and efficiency in varied operational settings.

Priced under ₹ one lakh, the ASMI is nearly 30 per cent cheaper than imported models, underscoring its cost-effectiveness. It is suited for roles in vehicle detachment, close-quarters combat, counter-insurgency, and VIP protection, enhancing operational flexibility across various units. Lokesh Machines Limited has delivered the "ASMI" 9x19mm Machine Pistols to the Assam Rifles and the National Security Guard (NSG) also. According to news reports it is becoming popular in the US civil market.

On August 28, 2024, India signed a new deal to import 73,000 additional Sig Sauer assault rifles from the US, supplementing the 72,400 rifles previously acquired for the Army

On August 28, 2024, India signed a new deal to import 73,000 additional Sig Sauer assault rifles from the US, supplementing the 72,400 rifles previously acquired for the Army. This repeat order, valued at ₹837 crore, is intended for frontline troops along the China and Pakistan borders amid rising tensions and the continuing India-China standoff along the 4,057-km long Line of Actual Control (LAC). This repeat order was because of the inordinate delays in the production of the AK-203 assault rifles by the Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), an Indo-Russian joint venture (JV).

Though production of the AK-203 assault rifles has begun, the project was hit by huge delays due to costing, royalty, technology transfer, indigenisation level and other issues. In all, 6,00,000 AK-203 rifles have to be manufactured at the Korwa factory over 10 years. These 7.62x39 mm caliber rifles, with an effective range of 300-metre, are supposed to cater to the overall needs of the over 11-lakh strong Army as well as the Navy and the IAF. The first 35,000 AK-203 assault rifles were finally delivered to the Army in 2024 after being "assembled" at the Korwa IRRPL ordnance factory in Amethi District of Uttar Pradesh.

According to news reports of January 10, 2025, Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited, a 40-year old company which has emerged as a key player in India's defence landscape with a focus on research and development and cutting-edge manufacturing, has secured the licence to manufacture advanced light machine guns (LMGs). The company has announced significant expansion in its defence manufacturing capabilities, having obtained a private license from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal trade (DPIIT).

According to reports in January, 2025, Paras Defence and Space Technologies has secured the licence to manufacture advanced light machine guns (LMGs)

The license granted under the Arms Act 1959 authorises the company to produce the MK-46 and MK-48 belt-fed Light Machine Guns. This is a significant development for Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited, enhancing its strategic position within the Indian defence sector. The MK-46 and MK-48 LMGs are recognised for their advanced and modernised design, offering enhanced firepower and reliability. With this licence, Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited is now permitted to manufacture 6,000 units each of the MK-46 and ML-48 LMGs annually, providing a significant boost to the company's production capacity and its role in national defence.

This licence also extends the company's lifetime validity, ensuring long-term stability and growth in its operations; underlining the company's commitment for contributing to India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing, aligning with the broader governmental push towards the 'Make in India'. This development could potentially also lead to Paras Defence and Space Technologies Limited getting increased orders from both domestic and international markets, given the global demand for sophisticated arms and defence equipment.