Vidhwansak

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Vidhwansak
Vidhwansak.jpg
Vidhwansak Anti Materiel Rifle (AMR)
Type Anti-material rifle
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2007–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
Designer Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
Designed2005
Manufacturer Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli
ProducedFebruary 2007 [1]
Specifications (14.5mm variant)
Mass29 kg (64 lb)
Length2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Barrel  length1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
Cartridge 12.7×108mm, 14.5×114mm, 20x82mm
Barrels
  • 8 Grooved, 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) length, Quick Change type
  • 8 Grooved, 1.22 m (4 ft 0 in) Length, Quick Change type
  • Rifling: 1:390 mm (15 in), 1:420 mm (17 in), 1:560 mm (22 in)
Action Bolt Action, recoiling barrel
Muzzle velocity 845 m/s (2,770 ft/s), 1,080 m/s (3,500 ft/s), 720 m/s (2,400 ft/s)
Effective firing range1,800 m (5,900 ft)
Maximum firing range2,300 m (7,500 ft)
Feed system3-round detachable box magazine [2] [3]
Sights8×42 Power Telescopic sight with Parallax adjustment

Vidhwansak (Sanskrit: "Destroyer") [4] is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli. [5] It can be used in the anti-materiel role for destroying enemy bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, radar systems, communication equipment, parked aircraft, fuel storage facilities, etc. It is also effective in long-range sniping, counter sniping, and ordnance disposal roles. [6]

Contents

Development

The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed an anti-materiel rifle Vidhwansak in November 2005. [7] The Denel NTW-20 rifle was used as a starting point for the design. [3] After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006. [6] Production began in February 2007.

After trials, the Border Security Force ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas. [8] These were supplied by October 2008. [9] The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army and the National Security Guards. [1] [6] However, the Indian Army chose not to bring the Vidhwansak into use as it did not meet the weight requirements. [10]

It is being sold at the cost of Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as compared to the Denel NTW-20 AMR, which costs Rs 23 lakhs (about $45,000) as of 2011. [11] [6] Due to indigenisation of this weapon, foreign exchange worth over 90 million USD would be saved. [12]

Features

Vidhwansak is a manually operated, rotating bolt-action rifle. The barrel along with the receiver recoil inside the chassis frame against a damping system. The rifle is fed from a detachable box magazine that is inserted from the left side. The rifle can be quickly disassembled and can be carried in two man-portable packs, each weighing about 12 to 15 kg (26 to 33 lb). [6] A muzzle brake is fitted on the end of the barrel which absorbs an estimated 50–60% of recoil. This is further supplemented by a buffered slide in the receiver.

The Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8× magnification, long-eye-relief telescopic sight with parallax adjustment. A 12× ballistic scope can also be attached.[ citation needed ]

The rifle has an effective range of 1,800 m (5,900 ft) (1,300 m (4,300 ft) for the 20 mm version), [6] while shots can be achieved even up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The rifle is magazine fed and reloaded through manual bolt action. [13]

Variants

The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers: 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, and 20 mm, this is done by replacing the barrel, bolt, and magazine, which takes about one minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools. [6] [14]

Specifications

The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR: [6] [14]

Ammunition 12.7×108mm 14.5×114mm 20×82mm
Weight25 kg (55 lb)29 kg (64 lb)26 kg (57 lb)
Overall Length1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)2.015 m (6 ft 7.3 in)1.795 m (5 ft 10.7 in)
Barrel8 Grooved, 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) length, Quick Change type8 Grooved, 1.22 m (4 ft 0 in) Length, Quick Change type8 Grooved, 1 m (3 ft 3 in) Length, Quick Change Type
Pitch of Rifle1:390 mm (15 in)1:420 mm (17 in)1:560 mm (22 in)
Sights8 × 42 power telescopic sight with parallax adjustment
Muzzle Velocity845 m/s (2,770 ft/s)1,080 m/s (3,500 ft/s)720 m/s (2,400 ft/s)
Range1,800 m (5,900 ft)2,300 m (7,500 ft)1,300 m (4,300 ft)

Users

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons". Oneindia.in. 2007-03-19. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  2. ↑ "Fusil de Francotirador Vidhwansak". www.sniperselite.com.ar. Archived from the original on 2014-08-23. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  3. 1 2 "Vidhwansak AMR Anti-Materiel Rifle / Sniper Rifle - India". Archived from the original on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  4. ↑ G. Prasad (2006-03-20). "Exhibiting the 'powers' that protect us". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  5. ↑ "Small Arms of the Indian State - A Century of Procurement and Production" (PDF). www.files.ethz.ch.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Vidhwansak AMR". Indian Military. Archived from the original on 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  7. ↑ Girja Shankar Kaura (2006-02-05). "Ordnance factories bag order for 30,000 carbines". The Tribune . Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  8. ↑ "Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF". The Hindu . 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  9. ↑ "BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT". Oneindia.in. 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  10. ↑ "Army starts process to purchase 1500 anti-materiel rifles". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 2020-02-22.
  11. ↑ Ritu Sharma (2011-01-07). "Indian Army to purchase 1000 anti-materiel rifles". Tehelka. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  12. ↑ "New Anti-Materiel Rifle launched". The Hindu. 2020-08-14. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  13. ↑ "Indigenously Developed Anti-Material Sniper Rifle 'Vidhwansak' Eyes Wider Service Acceptance". 31 December 2022.
  14. 1 2 "OFB - Vidhwansak". Ordnance Factory Board. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  15. ↑ "Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF". The Hindu . 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  16. ↑ "Anti-Material Sniper Rifle of India 'Vidhwansak' AMR". Indian Defence News. 31 December 2022.
  17. ↑ "ITBP seeks 450 high-powered sniper rifles for use in high altitude areas". Tribune India. 2023-02-17.
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