New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today handed over many indigenous weapons to the Indian army amidst increasing challenges on the country's borders. These include AK-203 and F-INSAS (Futuristic Infantry Soldier as a System) rifles as well as the new anti-personnel mine 'Nipun'. The new weapons have been developed by Nagpur-based private firm Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL) and other Indian manufacturing companies.
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"Handed over indigenously-developed equipment & systems to the Indian Army. These systems will enhance the operational preparedness of the Army and help them to deal with future challenges. It is a shining example of India’s growing self-reliance prowess," Defence minister Rajnath Singh wrote in his tweet.
On the special occasion, the Chief Engineer of the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Harpal Singh, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, assured the country that the army is ready to deal with any threat, whether it is western desert (Pakistan) or areas adjacent to high altitude places (China) in Ladakh sector. He said this while handing over state-of-the-art weapon systems to the Army.
Lieutenant General Harpal Singh was quoted as saying by IANS, "The Union government has taken several policy decisions to help promote indigenisation of the defence sector. These indigenous weapons include mines, weapons of face-to-face combat, infantry combat vehicles."
AK-203 assault rifles and F-INSAS (Futuristic Infantry Soldier as a System) rifles have been developed by Nagpur-based private EEL and other Indian defence manufacturing companies.