Vidhwansak
Encyclopedia
Vidhwansak is an India
n multi-caliber anti-material rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle
manufactured by Ordnance Factory, Tiruchirapalli
. 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.
It is being sold at the cost of Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as of 2011.
was earlier contracted to supply various weapon systems for the Indian Armed Forces
, including Anti-material rifles and Self-propelled howitzers
. However, following allegations that it had paid kickbacks to secure a deal for anti-material rifles, Denel was black-listed by the government.
Then, Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli (OFT), in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO), began developing an indigenous version of the antimaterial rifle, taking heavily from the Denel
NTW-20. The development of Vidhwansak was completed in November 2005. After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006.
Production began in February 2007. After trials, the Border Security Force
ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas. These were supplied by October 2008. The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army
and the National Security Guards
. However, the Indian Army chose not to bring the Vidhwansak into use as it did not meet the weight requirements.
The rifle has an effective range of 1,800 m (1,300 m for the 20 mm version), while shots can be achieved even up to 2,000 m. The rifle is magazine fed, and reloaded through manual bolt action.
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.
Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8X magnification, long eye relief telescopic sight with parallax adjustment.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n multi-caliber anti-material rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
manufactured by Ordnance Factory, Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirappalli ) , also called Tiruchi or Trichy , is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District. It is the fourth largest municipal corporation in Tamil Nadu and also the fourth largest urban agglomeration in the state...
. 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
Counter-sniper tactics
Counter-sniper tactics involves tactics used by a sniper against another sniper.The occurrence of sniper warfare has led to the evolution of many counter-sniper tactics in modern military strategies...
and ordnance disposal
Bomb disposal
Bomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
roles.
It is being sold at the cost of Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as of 2011.
Development
DenelDenel
Denel Ltd is a South African state owned aerospace and defence technology conglomerate established in 1991. It was created when the manufacturing subsidiaries of Armscor were split off in order for Armscor to become the procurement agency for South African Defence Force , now known as the South...
was earlier contracted to supply various weapon systems for the Indian Armed Forces
Indian Armed Forces
The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of India. They consist of the Army, Navy and Air Force, supported by three paramilitary forces and various inter-service institutions such as the Strategic Forces Command.The President of India is...
, including Anti-material rifles and Self-propelled howitzers
Self-propelled artillery
Self-propelled artillery vehicles are combat vehicles armed with artillery. Within the term are covered self-propelled guns and rocket artillery...
. However, following allegations that it had paid kickbacks to secure a deal for anti-material rifles, Denel was black-listed by the government.
Then, Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli (OFT), in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation
Defence Research and Development Organisation
The Defence Research and Development Organisation is a agency of the Republic of India, responsible for the development of technology for use by the military, headquartered in New Delhi, India...
(DRDO), began developing an indigenous version of the antimaterial rifle, taking heavily from the Denel
Denel
Denel Ltd is a South African state owned aerospace and defence technology conglomerate established in 1991. It was created when the manufacturing subsidiaries of Armscor were split off in order for Armscor to become the procurement agency for South African Defence Force , now known as the South...
NTW-20. The development of Vidhwansak was completed in November 2005. After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006.
Production began in February 2007. After trials, the Border Security Force
Border Security Force
The Border Security Force is a border patrol agency of the Government of India. Established on December 1, 1965, it is one of the Central Armed Police Forces. Its primary role is to guard India's international borders during peacetime and also prevent transnational crime...
ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas. These were supplied by October 2008. The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
and the National Security Guards
National Security Guards
The National Security Guard is a Special Response Unit in India that has primarily been utilized for counter-terrorism activities and was created by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security Guard Act of the Indian Parliament in 1986...
. However, the Indian Army chose not to bring the Vidhwansak into use as it did not meet the weight requirements.
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 carried in two man-portable packs, each weighing about 12 to 15 kg.The rifle has an effective range of 1,800 m (1,300 m for the 20 mm version), while shots can be achieved even up to 2,000 m. The rifle is magazine fed, and reloaded through manual bolt action.
A muzzle brake
Muzzle brake
Muzzle brakes and recoil compensators are devices that are fitted to the muzzle of a firearm or cannon to redirect propellant gases with the effect of countering both recoil of the gun and unwanted rising of the barrel during rapid fire...
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.
Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8X magnification, long eye relief telescopic sight with parallax adjustment.
Variants
Vidhwansak AMR is one of few firearms to support 3 calibers with quick interchangeability (without completely disassembling and reworking the weapon). The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers - 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm and 20 mm, by replacing the barrel, bolt, magazine and scope, which takes about 1 minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools.Specifications
The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR:| Ammunition | 12.7x108mm | 14.5x114mm | 20x 82mm 20 mm caliber The 20 mm caliber is a specific size of cannon or autocannon ammunition, commonly the smallest caliber which is unambiguously a cannon and not a heavy machine gun.... |
| Weight | 25 kg | 29 kg | 26 kg |
| Overall Length | 1.7 m | 2.015 m | 1.795 m |
| Barrel | 8 Grooved, 1.1 m length, Quick Change type | 8 Grooved, 1.22 m Length, Quick Change type | 8 Grooved, 1 m Length, Quick Change Type |
| Pitch of Rifle | 1: 390 mm | 1 : 420 mm | 1 : 560 mm |
| Sights | 8 X 42 power telescopic sight with parallax adjustment | ||
| Muzzle Velocity | 845 m/s | 1,080 m/s | 720 m/s |
| Range | 1,800 m | 1,800 m | 1,300 m |
External links
- Manufacturer information - Vidhwansak at OFB website.
- AMR Vidhwansak at indian military database