Rifles of Indian Armed Forces: Which guns does the sentinels of the Republic use?


2026/02/18 22:43:24 IST

SIG Sauer SIG 716

    The Indian Armed Forces have inducted and ordered over 145,000 SIG SAUER 716 G2 patrol rifles, primarily equipping front-line infantry along the Line of Control (LoC) to replace older INSAS rifles. These 7.62x51mm caliber battle rifles feature a 16-inch barrel, M-LOK handguard, and improved accuracy for high-altitude.

Credit: Image X @BurdettAndSon

Tavor TAR-21

    The Indian Armed Forces utilize the Israeli-made IWI Tavor TAR-21, a bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO, primarily for special forces and commando units.

Credit: Image X @KSingh_1469

INSAS

    The Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) is a family of 5.56 mm infantry weapons developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and produced by the Ordnance Factories Board in India.

Credit: Image X @manipur_police

AKM/AK-103

    The AK-103 assault rifle is a 7.62x39mm Russian-made, modernised variant of the AK-74M, utilized by Indian elite units like the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and special forces, including in Jammu and Kashmir. It serves as an emergency procurement to replace older rifles.

Credit: Image X @TacticalKafir

Self-Loading Rifle (SLR)

    The L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), a licensed, imperial-measurement version of the Belgian FN FAL, was the primary 7.62mm service rifle for Commonwealth forces (UK, Australia, Canada) from the late 1950s to the 1980s. Known for reliability, accuracy, and a 20-round magazine, it fired only in semi-automatic mode.

Credit: Image X @jose_grazziani

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