Article Posted on : - Jul 23, 2009

A soldier getting training with the latest version of the INSAS rifle. -- Image credit: Wikipedia

NEW DELHI (BNS): To better equip its 1.1 million strong armed forces, India is planning to design weapons and gear for individual soldiers through a public-private partnership called Futuristic Infantry Soldier-As-A-System (F-INSAS), Defence Minister A K Antony has told the Parliament.

�Integrated Management System with Public-Private-Partnership is contemplated in order to produce cost-effective system in large quantity,� Antony told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The gear will improve soldiers' firepower, communications, and mobility.

�With change in the operational environment to keep pace with new technology, qualitative requirements for a new generation assault rifle of current technology have been spelt out by the Army,� a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence quoted Antony as saying.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will develop two critical technologies � a multi-caliber individual weapon and an air-bursting grenade for this purpose.

Other arms and gear will include anti-tank guided missiles, thermal sights and launchers; bulletproof vehicles; anti-materiel rifles; advanced carbines; surveillance radars; ground sensors; secure communications; guided ammunition; laser rangefinders; and light clothing and bulletproof jackets.

The new clothing will protect the soldiers from nuclear-biological-chemical attack.