Introduction to Indian Armed Forces and Police Weapons:
India’s modern police and military equipment can be considered a mesh of both eastern and western designs. Soviet Russia took the initiative and allied with India during the 50s and 60s. This meant Soviet weapons such as MiG-21s and AK rifles were accessible for India. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, India produces some of its firearms domestically through the state owned Ordinance Factory Board as well as purchasing more arms from the US, Israel and other western nations as well as continuing arms transactiosn with Russia.
Britain left the most lasting impression on Indian small arms, however. The Sepoy Rebellions of 1857 occurred in part because there were rumors of the new Pattern 1853 Enfield muskets having their cartridges wrapped in either tallow, or cow fat, or lard which is pig fat, upsetting the Hindu and Muslim sepoys respectively.
During the Second World War Indians recruited by the British military were issued Lee Enfields and Bren guns, many other British weapons would be left over and even locally produced after Indian independence in 1947.
Today, remnants of British influence can be seen with Bren machine guns at army checkpoints. L1A1 FAL copies are still kept in retention by some police forces, and Bren guns sometimes still appear with Rmy units in hot sones like Kashmir. Webley revolvers are made today by OFB for the civilian market. Influence of India’s ties to the UK persist through their firearms heritage today and may remain a lasting theme in India’s firearms culture and development.
Indian Military/Police Rifiles:
INSAS Rifle
Notes:
Typically shelved for AKs due to reliability issues
AKMS
Notes:
AKMs seem to be a military and police standard, late generation AK-47s still see law enforcement use. Bulgarian AR-M1s and AR-M1F1s are also very common among military and police units. East German MPi-KMS, Romanian PM MD. 63s and MD. 90s are also commonly seen. Type 56-1s from Norinco are also documented.
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-Any AK that replicates the aformentioned weapons
IWI TAR-21
Notes:
Commonly seen with all Army SF units, Ghatak Platoon assaulters, and certain CAPF police units.
Mepro 21s are commonly mounted red dot scopes.
OFB Ghatak
Notes:
Locally produced copy of the Arsenal AR-M1F41 which is popular among CAPF agencies
OFB Trichy
Notes:
Another Indian made AK deriviative seen with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police
Colt M4A1
Notes:
Standard issue rifle for Army Para SF
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-Any M4A1 platform
AK-103
Notes:
Standard issue rifle for MARCOS
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-CYMA AK-74M with proper magazine
Sig 553
Notes:
Primary rifle of the National Security Guard
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-GHK 553
-G&G 553
-Cybergun SG552
FN SCAR-L
Notes:
Used in small numbers with the National Security Guard, army special forces and police units. Short barreled versions also documented.
Steyer AUG
Notes:
In very marginal use with Indian Army SF and even smaller amounts with law enforcement
Indian Military/Police Sidearms:
9mm 1A
Notes:
Hi-Power clone, standard issue handgun for Indian military and police
Suggested Airsoft Replicas
-Any Hi-Power replica
Glock 19
Notes:
Seen with military special forces units and some police tactical units
Glock 17 full size handguns also see use
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-Any G17/G19
Beretta PX4 Storm
Notes:
Seen with Para SF
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-WE PX4
Indian Military/Police Machine Guns:
FN MAG
Notes:
Standard support gun for Indian forces
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-Any M240 replica
IWI Negev
Notes:
NG-7 will be the standard issue LMG, NG-5 5.56 vhambered variants are standard for SF units
PKM
Notes:
Used by Para SF and Rashtriya Rifles in conflict hotspots
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-Echo1 PKM
FN Minimi
Notes:
In use with NSG. M249 also documented.
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-A&K M249
-A&K Minimi
Vz. 59
Notes:
Utilized by Indian Army and some SF units
Indian Military/Police Submachine Guns
Amogh Carbine
Notes:
Primarily used by the Indian Coast Guard
MSMC/JVPC
Notes:
Incrementally used by police and military forces
IWI Micro Uzi
Notes:
Often paired with a MARS or Mepro 21 and a suppressor with the Para SF and army airborne units
H&K MP5A3
Notes:
Standard issue for NSG and law enforcement agencies
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-Elite Force MP5
B&T MP9
Notes:
Ghatak assaulters and special forces are the primary users of MP9s. Zeiss red dots and B&T suppressors are commonly used.
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-KWA MP9
Indian Military/Police Marksman Rifles:
SVD
Notes:
Primary marksman rifle for Indian military and law enforcement agencies
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-E&L SVD
Barrett 98B
Notes:
In use with marksmen stationed at hotspots in Jammu and Kashmir
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-6mmProShop 98B
Beretta Victrix Scorpio
Notes:
Also issued to army sniper units
SSG 69
Notes:
Secondary marksman rifle of Indian Army
Sako TRG 42
Notes:
Issued in lieu with SSG 69s
Mechem NTW-20
Notes:
Emplaced in strategic positions with the Border Security Force
Barrett M82
Notes:
Used with some police units and the Border Security Force
Suggested Airsoft Replicas:
-6mmProShop M82