DRDO Unveils ‘Ugram’: A Milestone in Indigenous Assault Rifle Development
DRDO Unveils ‘Ugram’: A Milestone in Indigenous Assault Rifle Development
In a significant achievement, the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) unveiled ‘Ugram,’ a fully indigenous assault rifle developed in collaboration with a private firm. The operational prototype of this 7.62 x 51mm assault rifle was revealed at the Armament Research and Development Establishments (ARDE), DRDO’s Pune-based laboratory. ‘Ugram’ is designed to meet the Indian Army’s General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) for a rifle weighing less than four kg.
Dr. S V Gade, Director General (Armament & Combat Engineering Cluster), and A Raju, Director of ARDE, were present during the unveiling. Raju emphasized the monumental moment for DRDO and ARDE, highlighting the collaborative effort with Dvipa Armour India Ltd that led to the realization of this fully indigenous weapon in record time.
The ‘Ugram’ assault rifle underwent meticulous design work over the past two to three years, ensuring it meets international standards for weapons of similar calibers. The steel construction of critical components ensures ruggedness and intuitive operations, and special attention has been given to reliable functioning with in-service ammunition.
The unveiling marked a crucial step, with prototypes demonstrated to senior officials from the Indian Army and the Minister of Home Affairs. The next phase involves subjecting the weapon to stringent trials by an independent expert committee before proceeding to field user trials. ‘Ugram’ stands as a testament to India’s progress in developing advanced indigenous defense capabilities.