Vidhwansak
| Vidhwansak | |
|---|---|
| Type | Anti-material rifle |
| Place of origin |  India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2007 - |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ordnance Factories Organisation |
| Designed | 2005 |
| Manufacturer | Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli |
| Produced | February 2007[1] |
| Specifications (12.7 mm variant) | |
| Mass | 25 kg |
| Length | 1.7 m |
| Barrel length | 1.1 m |
| Crew | 2 |
| Action | Manual Bolt Action |
| Muzzle velocity | 1040 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 1800 m |
| Maximum firing range | 2000 m |
| Feed system | Magazine |
| Sights | 8X42 Power Telescopic sight with Parallax adjustment |
Vidhwansak (Sanskrit:"The Destroyer") is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR) or large-caliber sniper rifle manufactured by Ordnance Factory, Tiruchirapalli. 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 (shooting explosive ordnance from a safe distance) roles.
Development
Denel was earlier contracted to supply various weapon systems for the Indian Armed Forces, including Anti-materiel rifles and Self-propelled howitzers. However, following allegations that it had paid kickbacks to secure a deal for anti-material rifles, Denel was black-listed by the government.
Then, Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli (OFT), in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), began developing an indigenous version of the Denel NTW-20 AMR to fill the need. The development of Vidhwansak was completed in November 2005.[2] After all-terrain and all-weather trials, the user trials began in March 2006.[3]
Production began in February 2007. After trials, the Border Security Force ordered 100 Vidhwansaks for use in the border areas. These were supplied by October 2008.[4] The rifle has also been offered to the Indian Army and the National Security Guards.[1]
Some reports suggest that the Vidhwansak is a reverse-engineered version of the NTW-20, of which Denel had supplied some units for trials. In any case, the Vidhwansak is comparable to the NTW-20 in terms of caliber, size and performance. The Vidhwansak, which costs Rs 10 lakh (USD 20,000) is much cheaper than comparable foreign alternatives such as the Denel NTW-20 AMR, which costs Rs 23 lakhs (USD 45,000).[4] It also supports multiple calibers and fires 12.7mm, 14.5mm and 20mm rounds compared to dual calibers supported by the NTW-20.[3]
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 carried in two man-portable packs, each weighting about 12 - 15 kg.
The rifle has an effective range of 1800 m (1300 m for the 20 mm version), while shots can be achieved even up to 2000 m. The rifle is magazine fed, and reloaded through manual bolt action.
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.
Vidhwansak is equipped with an 8X magnification, long eye relief telescopic sight with Parallax adjustment.
Variants
Vidhwansak AMR is one of few firearms to support 3 calibers with quick interchangeability (without completely disassembling and reworking the weapon). The Vidhwansak can be easily converted between the three calibers - 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm and 20 mm, by replacing the barrel, bolt, magazine and scope, which takes about 1 minute in the field, without the need for any specialized tools.[5]
Specifications
The following are current specifications of the Vidhwansak AMR:[5]
| Ammunition | 12.7x108mm | 14.5x114mm | 20x 82mm |
| Weight | 25 kg | 29 kg | 26 kg |
| Overall Length | 1.7 m | 2.015 m | 1.795 m |
| Barrel | 8 Grooved, 1.1 m length, Quick Change type | 8 Grooved, 1.22 m Length, Quick Change type | 8 Grooved, 1 m Length, Quick Change Type |
| Pitch of Rifle | 1: 390 mm | 1 : 420 mm | 1 : 560 mm |
| Sights | 8 X 42 Power Telescopic Sight with Parallax adjustment | 8 X 42 Power Telescopic Sight with Parallax adjustment | 8 X 42 Power Telescopic Sight with Parallax adjustment |
| Muzzle Velocity | 845 m/s | 1,080 m/s | 720 m/s |
| Range | 1,800 m | 1,800 m | 1,300 m |
Operators
- Indian Army and Border Security Force - 100 in service[1][4]
References
- ^ a b c "OFT develops ultra-modern futuristic weapons". Oneindia.in. 2007-03-19. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
- ^ Girja Shankar Kaura (2006-02-05). "Ordnance factories bag order for 30,000 carbines". The Tribune. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
- ^ a b "India seeks partnerships for hi-tech weapons". India News Online. 2006-02-06. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
- ^ a b c "BSF IG satisfied of AMR produced at OFT". Oneindia.in. 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
- ^ a b "OFB - Vidhwansak". Ordnance Factory Board. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
See also
External links
- Manufacturer information - Vidhwansak at OFB website.
- G. Prasad, Exhibiting the `powers' that protect us, The Hindu, 20 March 2006. Photograph of the Vidhwansak.
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