In a pivotal development for the indigenous small-arms manufacturing sector, the Assam Rifles has placed an order for 1,013 ASMI 9×19 mm submachine guns (SMGs) with Lokesh Machines Ltd., a company based in Hyderabad. This marks a significant achievement for Lokesh Machines, who emerged as the lowest bidder following a rigorous techno-commercial evaluation process. This order represents the firm’s second successful sale of the indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured (IDDM) weapon, reinforcing its foothold in the domestic arms market.
This latest order follows Lokesh Machines’ earlier success in April 2024, when the firm secured a contract to supply 550 ASMI SMGs to the Indian Army Special Forces. This contract was particularly noteworthy as it was India’s first significant indigenous small-arms order since the INSAS rifle. The ASMI was specifically developed to replace the aging World War II-era Sterling carbines and has since achieved limited induction across several forces, including the National Security Guard (NSG), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Border Security Force (BSF).
The ASMI submachine gun is the brainchild of Col Prasad Bansod and was developed at the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune. The weapon is designed for reliability and affordability, with an estimated cost of under ₹50,000 per unit. Its design also emphasizes export potential, aligning with India’s objective to achieve greater self-reliance in critical infantry systems.
Alongside this growth in the SMG sector, India’s small-arms ecosystem is diversifying, with another significant contract awarded to Jindal Defence. The company, in collaboration with Brazil’s Taurus, has secured a deal to supply 550 Taurus T-9 machine pistols to the Indian Army. This initiative will see the pistols manufactured in India through technology transfer, underscoring the importance of multiple pathways to achieve indigenisation in the defense sector.
Moreover, Lokesh Machines has not only focused on submachine guns but has also co-developed a 7.62×51 mm belt-fed medium machine gun with ARDE. This weapon is engineered to function in extreme temperatures, ranging from -40°C to +55°C, and is designed to be adaptable across various platforms, including land, naval, and aerial.
The recent orders from the Assam Rifles not only facilitate the replacement of outdated weaponry but also indicate a growing confidence in domestically designed military arms. This momentum is crucial for strengthening Atmanirbharta, or self-reliance, within the Indian defense manufacturing industry.
