• India’s first indigenous 9mm Machine Pistol has been jointly developed by DRDO and Indian Army. Infantry School, Mhow and DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune have designed and developed this weapon using their respective expertise in the complementary areas.

    • The weapon has been developed in a record time of four months.

    • The Machine Pistol fires the in-service 9mm ammunition and sports an upper receiver made from aircraft grade Aluminium and lower receiver from carbon fibre.

    • 3D Printing process has been used in designing and prototyping of various parts including trigger components made by metal 3D printing.

    • The weapon has huge potential in Armed forces as personal weapon for heavy weapon detachments, commanders, tank and aircraft crews, drivers/dispatch riders, radio/radar operators, Closed Quarter Battle, counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations etc.

    • This is also likely to find huge employability with the central and state police organizations as well as VIP protection duties and Policing.

    • The Machine Pistol is likely to have production cost under Rs 50000 each and has potential for exports. 

    • The weapon is aptly named “Asmi” meaning “Pride”, “Self-Respect" & “Hard Work”.

    • Keeping the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmnirbhar Bharat in view, this small step will pave way for self-reliance and it is expected that the Services and Paramilitary Forces (PMFs) will induct this expeditiously.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)