Syllabus section: Defence

 

Why in News?

In another boost to its Defence capabilities, India has now developed its first-ever indigenously made 9mm machine pistol 'ASMI'.

About:

• As per the Ministry of Defence, the weapon has been jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army.

• It has been developed by a young officer from Infantry School Lt Col Prasad Bansod in a record time of four months.

• The weapon has the capability of firing the in-service 9 mm ammunition.

• The weapon has been named “Asmi” which means 'pride', 'Self-Respect' and 'Hard Work'.

• The machine pistol is likely to have production cost under Rs 50,000 each and has potential for exports.

• The upper receiver of ASMI is made from Aircraft grade Aluminum while the lower receiver is created from Carbon Fibre.

•  The weapon has an overall empty weight of less than 2 Kg and it features an 8-inch barrel along with 33 rounds high-capacity magazine.

• The weapon has huge potential in armed forces as a personal weapon for various missions, including in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

 

Source: DNA India