Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 20

In a major change of weaponry for the Army, a tender was issued today seeking supply of some 41,000 new light machine guns (LMGs) to equip its infantry battalions.This is the first change of an LMG—basic weapon of infantry units— in the Army’s armoury in two decades. A request for information (RFI), the first step of a tender, looking for additional vendors was issued today, complete with details of requirements.The RFI was first issued in October last, but the parameters on its numbers, method of sourcing, firing capabilities, etc, were issued today after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) okayed the need for 40,949 LMGs. Of these, 30,712 will sourced from private Indian industry and another 10,237 from the Ordnance Factory Board. The indent to OFB will be placed after successful completion of trials.The 7.62×51 mm LMGs are to be procured under the ‘Buy and Make Indian’ category.