Two local firms get small arms contracts from Indian Army

New Delhi: In a significant boost for India’s indigenous defence sector, two companies have secured contracts to supply small arms to the Indian Army. Lokesh Machines Limited (LMT) has emerged as the L1 contender, beating the likes of PLR Systems and Jindal Defence, to clinch a contract to supply 550 9x19mm ASMI Submachine Pistols to the Special Forces of the Indian Army.

The contract worth ₹4,60,10,250 is particularly significant as it marks the first order for an indigenous small arm after the INSAS rifle.

The ASMI is the brainchild of Lt Col Bansod, India’s very own Colonel Kalashnikov and the only Indian Army officer in the last 75 years to have designed and developed a weapon. Presently in limited series production, the 9×19 mm carbine was designed to replace a million World War 2 era British-designed Sterling carbines and to be an attractive export option because of its low cost — estimated to be less than Rs 50,000 per piece.

LMT’s success in clinching this contract signifies a breakthrough for the Indian defence industry and demonstrates the capability of domestic manufacturers to compete against established players.

While Jindal Defence’s Taurus T9 was trumped by LMT’s ASMI, it has secured a separate contract worth ₹4,25,97,500 for 550 9x19mm Machine Pistols for the Indian Army. The Taurus T-9 is the result of a collaboration between India’s Jindal Defence and Brazilian strategic defence manufacturing conglomerate Taurus. The T-9 submachine pistols will be manufactured in India through Transfer of Technology (ToT).

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