Amogh carbine

Summary

The Amogh Carbine (Amogh means Unerring) is a select-fire personal defense weapon designed and manufactured by Ordnance Factories Board. It is a derivative of the Excalibur rifle,[2] which in turn is a development of the INSAS rifle.

Amogh Carbine
Amogh carbine on display
TypeCarbine
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2008-Present
Used bySee Users
Production history
Designed2005
ManufacturerOrdnance Factory Board
Specifications
Mass2.95 kg (6.5 lb) empty[1]
3.27 kg (7.2 lb) with 30 rounds[1]
Length800 mm (31 in) (stock extended)
575 mm (22.6 in)[1]
Barrel length330 mm (13 in)

Cartridge5.56×30mm MINSAS[1]
Caliber5.56 mm (.223 in)[1]
Barrels1
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt, Closed Breech[1]
Rate of fire700 round/min cyclic[1]
Muzzle velocity700 m/s (2,300 ft/s)[1]
Effective firing range200 m (220 yd)[1]
Feed system30-round box magazine
SightsOpen Sights or Reflex sights

The Amogh has been designed for close quarters operations.[2]

History edit

The Amogh was developed in 2005.[3]

In September 2008, an order was made to supply 148 Amoghs for a cost of 26.64 lakh.[4] An audit revealed in September 2016 that 80 of the carbines were not used due to failure for supplying the needed ammunition for eight years.[4]

The carbine was shown to visit during the Aero India 2013 convention.[5]

It has been rejected to be used by the Indian Army after the first trial,[6] although the Indian Coast Guard, navy and some police forces use the carbine.

The carbine was featured in an Indian postage stamp from 25 March 2012.[7]

Design edit

The carbine was developed by the Ordnance Factory Board and is chambered in 5.56×30mm MINSAS caliber specially developed for carbine role, similar to the MSMC.[8][9] It is a gas operated, long stroke piston with a rotating bolt. Weight of the carbine is 2.95 kg without magazine and has an effective range of 200m along with a rate of fire of 700 rpm.

The receiver is made up of stamped sheet metal, while the hand-guard, pistol grip and side folding stock are made up of black colour, light weight polymer material. It has a 330mm long chrome plated barrel. Feed system is through a 30-round polymer magazine which is translucent to allow the shooter to know the number of rounds left in it. Charging handle is located at the left side of receiver. Magazine release is similar to that of INSAS rifle with magazine catch lever located at the front of the trigger guard.

It has two firing mode single and auto. The carbine has fixed iron sights with front sight (post type) and rear sight (aperture type), there is a small rail on the top cover, which allows the mounting of various optical sights. It has provision of bayonet as an accessory.

Operators edit

  India

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ordnance Factory Board. "India's new 5.56×30mm Amogh Carbine". ofbindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 9 September 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Indian Army wants new close-quarter battle carbines; here are the five best options". International Business Times. 2 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". saf.gov.in. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). cag.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ a b Srivatsa, Sharath S. (8 February 2013). "This lightweight packs a punch". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  6. ^ "India's Small Arms Requirement". Archived from the original on 22 February 2020.
  7. ^ Special cover amogh carbine by India Postindianstampghar.com/ March 2012 Archived 1 August 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Indian PDWS: JVPC/MSMC Carbine -". 31 October 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Indian PDWS: AMOGH/MINSAS Carbine, the INSAS That Never Grew up -". 31 October 2017.
  10. ^ "These Battle Rifles Are Perfect for the Indian Army". 23 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Manipur Police Training College – Official Website Manipur Police". Archived from the original on 22 February 2020.

External links edit