Vidhwansak

Vidhwansak

Vidhwansak

Anti-material rifle

Vidhwansak (Sanskrit: "Destroyer")[4] is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli.[5] It can be used in the anti-materiel role for destroying enemy bunkers, lightly armoured vehicles, radar systems, communication equipment, parked aircraft, fuel storage facilities, etc. It is also effective in long-range sniping, counter sniping, and ordnance disposal roles.[6]

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Development

The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed an anti-materiel rifle Vidhwansak in November 2005.[7] The Denel NTW-20 rifle was used as a starting point for the design.[3] After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006.[6] Production began in February 2007.

After trials, the Border Security Force ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas.[8] These were supplied by October 2008.[9] The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army and the National Security Guards.[1][6] However, the Indian Army chose not to bring the Vidhwansak into use as it did not meet the weight requirements.[10]

It is being sold at the cost of Rs 10 lakh (about $20,000) as compared to the Denel NTW-20 AMR, which costs Rs 23 lakhs (about $45,000) as of 2011.[11][6] Due to indigenisation of this weapon, foreign exchange worth over 90 million USD would be saved.[12]

Features

Vidhwansak is a manually operated, rotating bolt-action rifle. The barrel along with the receiver recoil inside the chassis frame against a damping system. The rifle is fed from a detachable box magazine that is inserted from the left side. The rifle can be quickly disassembled and can be carried in two man-portable packs, each weighing about 12 to 15 kg (26 to 33 lb).[6] A muzzle brake is fitted on the end of the barrel which absorbs an estimated 50-60% of recoil. This is further supplemented by a buffered slide in the receiver.

The Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8X magnification, long-eye-relief telescopic sight with parallax adjustment. A 12X ballistic scope can also be attached.[citation needed]

The rifle has an effective range of 1,800 m (5,900 ft) (1,300 m (4,300 ft) for the 20 mm version),[6] while shots can be achieved even up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The rifle is magazine fed and reloaded through manual bolt action.[13]

Variants

The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers: 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, and 20 mm, this is done by replacing the barrel, bolt, and magazine, which takes about one minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools.[6][14]

Specifications

The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR:[6][14]

Ammunition 12.7×108mm 14.5×114mm 20×82mm
Weight 25 kg (55 lb) 29 kg (64 lb) 26 kg (57 lb)
Overall Length 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) 2.015 m (6 ft 7.3 in) 1.795 m (5 ft 10.7 in)
Barrel 8 Grooved, 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) length, Quick Change type 8 Grooved, 1.22 m (4 ft 0 in) Length, Quick Change type 8 Grooved, 1 m (3 ft 3 in) Length, Quick Change Type
Pitch of Rifle 1:390 mm (15 in) 1:420 mm (17 in) 1:560 mm (22 in)
Sights 8 X 42 power telescopic sight with parallax adjustment
Muzzle Velocity 845 m/s (2,770 ft/s) 1,080 m/s (3,500 ft/s) 720 m/s (2,400 ft/s)
Range 1,800 m (5,900 ft) 2,300 m (7,500 ft) 1,300 m (4,300 ft)

Users

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons". Oneindia.in. 2007-03-19. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  2. [2]
    "Fusil de Francotirador Vidhwansak". www.sniperselite.com.ar. Archived from the original on 2014-08-23. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  3. [3]
    "Vidhwansak AMR Anti-Materiel Rifle / Sniper Rifle - India". Archived from the original on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  4. [4]
    G. Prasad (2006-03-20). "Exhibiting the 'powers' that protect us". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  5. [5]
    https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/176291/IAVA-IB4-small-arms-of-indian-state.pdf
  6. [6]
    "Vidhwansak AMR". Indian Military. Archived from the original on 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  7. [7]
    Girja Shankar Kaura (2006-02-05). "Ordnance factories bag order for 30,000 carbines". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  8. [8]
    "Anti-materiel rifle handed over to BSF". The Hindu. 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2010-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  9. [9]
    "BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT". Oneindia.in. 2008-02-15. Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  10. [10]
    "Army starts process to purchase 1500 anti-materiel rifles". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 2020-02-22.
  11. [11]
    Ritu Sharma (2011-01-07). "Indian Army to purchase 1000 anti-materiel rifles". Tehelka. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  12. [12]
    Correspondent, Special (2020-08-14). "New Anti-Materiel Rifle launched". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  13. [13]
    https://raksha-anirveda.com/indigenously-developed-anti-material-sniper-rifle-vidhwansak-eyes-wider-service-acceptance/
  14. [14]
    "OFB - Vidhwansak". Ordnance Factory Board. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  15. [15]
    "Anti-Material Sniper Rifle of India 'Vidhwansak' AMR".
  16. [16]
    https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/itbp-seeks-450-high-powered-sniper-rifles-for-use-in-high-altitude-areas-480700
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