The Indian Army has taken delivery of its first domestically-built submachine guns (SMGs) from Lokesh Machines Limited.
The delivery was part of a contract valued at approximately $550,000 for 550 ASMI 9×19-millimeter SMGs, entirely manufactured in India.
According to the company, the first shipment of the ASMI SMGs was officially received by Major General Rakesh Manocha, a commanding officer of the Indian Army.
The weapons will be operated by the service’s Northern Command.
The procurement of the weapons is considered significant, as this is the first time a large-scale order was made for an indigenous firearm since the INSAS rifle.
It is viewed as a landmark achievement for India’s defense manufacturing sector and underscores the country’s commitment to enhancing its military capabilities through indigenous innovation.
Key Features
Short for Asmita (pride), the ASMI weighs 2.4 kilograms (5.3 pounds), around 10 to 15 percent lighter than comparable SMGs.
It boasts a magazine capacity of 32 rounds and a maximum rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute.
The weapon is made of aerospace-grade aluminum and carbon fiber, providing durability while keeping the weight low.
During the bidding process, the ASMI bested other international competitors, such as Israel Weapon Industries’ Uzi and Heckler & Koch’s MP5.